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!
Did the survey
My boys would love that snack idea! Also, I completed the survey!
survey complete. Cute snack idea too !!
I completed the survey! Thank you.
I have to try this idea! Filled out your survey, too. :)
Interesting questions :)
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Completed the survey.
I filled out the survey.
Just completed the survey!
I completed the survey!
I completed the survey. Thanks!
Did the survey!
I did the survey. :)
I did the survey, but I have to tell you it was hard picking only 5 items!! (last question)
I love the snack idea, it reminds me of the plate presentation I used to do for my kids when they were little, like a lot of mothers did I’m sure!
I did this snack idea today! The kids ages 7-15 LOVED it. The older kids did not write their names but enjoyed munching on the veggies and nuts. I swear it’s all about presentation with kids. Thank you for this great post. It really put 4 kids in one space for 30 mins before we had to run out the door for 3 different sports : ) I completed the survey. Hard to pick just 5 posts I enjoy. I really think your blog is spot on. Great variety. I feel you are very honest and sincere with your readers, it’s what I value most in your blog.
Completed the survey. I enjoy your family stories!
Survey complete.
Now that was an easy survey!! Clever snack idea! :)
Done!
I did the survey.
Survey done! Love the namesnack idea!! There’s always goodness here.
survey completed! thanks!
completed the survey
cute!!
I did the survey!
Done it said thank you for participating.
survey complete!
Cute survey.
Love the snack idea! Did the survey too!
I completed the survey!
Completed the survey! Cute snack idea. :)
Completed your survey.
i completed the survey!
I love this idea and I completed the survey.
Done! What are you trying to learn?
I completed the survey! Thank you for all that you do! I really love your blog and I visit it nearly every day. :)
I completed your survey. I really enjoy your blog. I like the positive and friendly atmosphere even when touching on serious topics.
I did the survey.
Just wondering what prompted the survey? Have people been complaining about the sponsored posts? I don’t mind them myself.
Just took the survey!
I completed the survey! Fun snack idea. I think my kids would like it.
I did the survey, and appreciated the opportunity to share what I love most about you and your site!
Survey done :)
Finished the survey
Completed the survey!
Competed the survey! thanks for letting us chime in.
Survey complete, thank you!
I have completed the survey
I completed the survey. And awesome snack idea! I have a kid who would absolutely adore setting this up for her siblings.
I completed the survey, too.
Survey done!