Oh my goodness. I think you’re going to LOVE this idea. It’s as EASY as can be, and it’s absolutely no fail. Whatever food you’ve got in the house — raisins, fresh veggies, nuts, cheese, frozen peas, olives, and on, and on — can be used.
This is why it’s such a hit at our house:
1) It works with anything we have on hand. You can go savory with olives and pickles and cheese and broccoli and almonds and cherry tomatoes. Or think rainbow, and pick red raspberries, orange carrots, green peas, and blueberries. You can use dried, fresh or frozen foods. Raid your pantry. No special ingredients required!
2) It’s creative. Our kids love making patterns and designing their letters. Will they go upper case or lower case? How about script? (As a bonus: it gets them thinking about typography — something I hope all of my kids have at least passable knowledge about. Is the O they are making rounder, or more elongated — and what sort of personality does each letter have?) If your kids aren’t spellers yet, you can create their name-in-food for them as a surprise. Or, you could even write their letters on the parchment with pencil, and have your child trace the letters with food.
3) You can customize the snack with your child’s favorite foods, or, you can use it as a great way to introduce kids to new flavors. Ask them to make each letter out of a different food! And you can manage the portions by having the kids make the letters bigger or smaller. If your child has a long name, you could go with initials and make them big. Or use the full name and make them small. Or maybe use a nickname.
4) It’s easy! The how to is pretty darn simple. We use strips of baking parchment for our “trays” because we can make them as long as we need. Then, I set out the building materials. Things like raisins and cherry tomatoes and peas can be set out as is. For foods like carrots or cheese, some simple chopping will be required. Try 5 or 6 food options today, and next week, you can try a whole different assortment of ingredients. You can arrange the options on one big plate. Or place them each in a little bowl.
5) We’ve noticed our kids are more relaxed and tell us more about their day if their hands are busy and the chatting is casual. This activity works wonderfully for encouraging conversation.
6) Though it’s simple as can be and requires nothing special to pull it off, this snack activity feels special, it feels out of the ordinary. And kids of all ages (meaning YOU too!) will love working on these. There are no rules or lines to stay within — it’s the best sort of playing-with-your-food.
We all know school days can be long and hard for kids. When they get home from school, my kids are sometimes completely wiped out. Maybe they’re mastering a new math concept and their brain is exhausted. Or maybe they had an emotional exchange with a friend and are feeling tender-hearted. Whatever they might be feeling, we’re all about an after-school snack as soon as they get home. It’s one part recharging with some sustenance, and it’s another part connecting with the kids as they report about their day. Anytime we can make after-school snacks feel a little special is aces in my book!
How about you? Would your kids enjoy something like this? I’ll bet you’ve got everything you need for this snack in your kitchen right this minute. Try it with your kids today!
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thanks for making the survey quick and easy!
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Survey says…finished! And thanks for the fun snack idea.
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I completed the survey–hope the imput helps!
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Done :-)
This is a perfect, hands-on snack idea for little peops,..and maybe even the big ones too!
I completed the survey. those snacks look yummy!
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Did it! I do love getting to give feedback :)
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completed the survey!
Thought the “brand partnership” question was interesting on the survey – I’d much rather be marketed to by a blog that has actual useful content surrounding the product than just another pop up commercial or ad. If that’s what it takes to keep Design Mom running, I’d say it’s very appropriate.
Anyways, I completed the survey! Thanks Gabrielle :D
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i completed your survey. Hope the info is helpful!
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Loved the colorful pics! I completed the survey. Cheers
Great idea!! I took the survey. Thanks!
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Completed the survey – thanks
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Lovely idea!
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Did the survey. Hope it’s helpful!
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Just finished the survey – made me realize how many facets Design Mom has, and how many I adore!
Completed the survey :)
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Did that bad boy survey!
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What a great way to get kids to eat simple, healthy foods at snack time. I completed the survey.
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thanks for giving the option for feedback–i completed the survey. it was a pleasure to tell you how much i love your work.
Completed the survey!! Makes me snacky!! Great idea!
This is a great idea. My son isn’t quite old enough, but I’ll definitely tuck this idea away for when he is!
Also, I did the survey. I seriously love your blog! I actually hadn’t even heard of it until I read your book (which I also love) and now, of all the blogs I follow, it’s the one I read most often! Keep up the good work!
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I just took the survey! :) It was a pleasure to do it having read your blog daily for 6 + years now.
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i completed the survey.