Easy Summer Snacks for Kids

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Posted By: Laurel Moglen

Interview with Catherine McCord by Laurel Moglen

As the web content producer for TMC, I have the good fortune to interview bloggers and experts about all the sticky stuff we parents have to deal with.  A repetitive theme for me, and many of my parent friends, is the wish to invigorate the snack scene for our hungry children, and let’s face it – us too!  I know there is a world beyond cheese and crackers, cut up apples, or a handful of nuts.  For inspiration, we’ve turned to Catherine McCord, the mother behind the blog weelicious.com.

How can we get our kids excited about the food they eat?

Kids tend to love emulating adults when they see us stirring, sifting, chopping, etc.  By getting kids involved in the process of cooking, we empower them.  The more that you let kids be involved in the cooking process, the more likely they are to eat the finished product because they have some ownership over the food in front of them. As parents, one of our goals is to get kids to be healthy, balanced eaters. Teaching them to love and appreciate their food will in turn make them better eaters.

What are your “go-to” kitchen gadgets?

My slow cooker, silpat, rice cooker and mini muffin tin.

Could you name five simple summer snacks that parents can make with their children?

Cheesy Popcorn

Artichoke cheese spread on toasted baguette

Fruit kabobs:  Use grapes, watermelon, honeydew and/or cantaloupe balls  (Kids love eating the normal stuff in new ways!)

Hawaiian popsicles

Crisp-wee treats

Would you give The Mother Company an exclusive recipe, not posted yet on weelicous.com?!

I never do this, so it’s a testimate to how much I like your site. Here’s a recipe I just tested and love!

Coconut Ice Cream or Popsicles (Makes 6 Servings)
2 13 oz Cans Coconut Milk, unsweetened
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1/3 Cup Agave

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Pour the mixture into a ice cream maker and freeze (churn) according to manufacturers instructions (my batch took 1 hour 45 minutes).
3. Transfer to a container and freeze for 2-3 hours or until firm (I like to save used ice cream containers for this recipe, but you could also fill a loaf pan and cover with plastic wrap).
4. Serve.

OR for popsicles (Makes 8 pops) :

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds.
3. Freeze for at least 4 hours.
4. Serve.

Kentucky born Catherine McCord trained at culinary school, but considers herself a home cook at heart.  She and her blog, weelicious.com have been featured in many publications such as “People” and “Parents” Magazine, and has appeared on TV shows including “The Doctors” and “Fox News”.   She has two children under five — both with incredibly adventurous palettes.

This article was originally published August 2010

The Mother Company aims to support parents and their children, providing thought-provoking web content and products based in social and emotional learning for children ages 3-6. Check out episodes of our “Ruby’s Studio” children’s video series, along with our beautiful children’s books, apps, at 10testen.de, music, handmade dolls, and more.