The summer holidays mean two things: the kids are home all the time… and somehow they’re always hungry.
Before you find yourself handing out crisps and ice lollies every hour on the hour, we’ve got your back with some easy, healthy(ish) summer snack ideas. They’re tasty, simple to make, and a great way to sneak in a few more fruits and veggies – without anyone kicking off.
And bonus? Less sugar = better sleep. Just saying.
1. frozen yoghurt bites
A lifesaver on hot days (and way better for them than a choc ice). Just spoon blobs of yoghurt onto a tray, top with chopped fruit (like strawberries or blueberries), and pop in the freezer for an hour or two. Boom – mini frozen yoghurt buttons they’ll love.
Top tip: Use Greek yoghurt for extra protein, or add a drizzle of honey if they’ve got a sweet tooth.
2. banana pops
Slice bananas in half, pop them on lolly sticks, dip them in melted dark chocolate (or peanut butter), and roll in crushed nuts or granola. Freeze for an hour and they’re good to go – creamy, crunchy and satisfying.
Great for after a garden play session or picnic in the park.
3. veggie dippers & hummus
Carrot sticks, cucumber, pepper strips – whatever you’ve got knocking around in the fridge. Pair with hummus or yoghurt dip and let the dunking commence.
Fun idea: Use cookie cutters to cut the veg into shapes – because everything tastes better when it’s star-shaped, obviously!
4. apple nachos
Slice apples thinly and lay them out on a plate. Drizzle with nut butter (or sunflower seed butter for allergy-friendly homes), sprinkle on raisins, oats, or chopped seeds. It’s basically a healthy dessert that somehow counts as a snack.
5. watermelon pizza
Cut a thick slice of watermelon into pizza-style wedges and let the kids decorate with toppings – think strawberries, blueberries, shredded coconut, yoghurt, or even a few dark choc chips. It’s fruity, fun, and ridiculously refreshing.
6. diy snack mix
Raid the cupboard and mix up your own healthy trail mix: popcorn, pretzels, raisins, sunflower seeds, a handful of dry cereal, and maybe a few choc chips for good behaviour. Perfect for movie afternoons or road trips.
7. smoothie ice lollies
Whizz up any smoothie (we like banana + strawberry + a splash of milk or oat milk) and pour it into lolly moulds. Pop in the freezer and you’ve got your own DIY ice lollies – no added nasties, just fruity goodness.
why we care about snacks (other than the fact they taste good)
Keeping sugar and junk food to a minimum during the summer helps avoid those big energy crashes – and when their little bodies are well-fuelled, sleep comes more easily (which means you might get a better night’s kip too).
And after a long day of fun in the sun, there’s nothing better than sinking into a comfy bed – especially one of ours, if we do say so ourselves. Until next time, eve Sleep.
