As a parent, you want to provide your children with the best nutrition, but making healthy snacks appealing can sometimes be a challenge. In this blog post, we invite you to explore the world of snack platters for kids with us. Snack platters are not only a festive way to offer a variety of foods, but they also stimulate the curiosity and appetite of your little ones. We share practical tips and ideas to create a colorful and healthy snack platter that is not only nutritious, but also sparks the imagination of your children. Let's discover together how to make snack time a fun and educational experience!
Benefits of Snack Boards for Kids
Snack platters are not only a trend for adults, but also offer numerous benefits for children. These colorful and varied platters full of snacks can be a valuable addition to your children's diet and eating habits. The most important benefits are explained below.
Stimulating Appetite
A snack platter is a visually appealing way to let children enjoy their food. Combining different snacks on one platter can significantly stimulate children's appetite. The variety of colours and shapes make snack platters much more appealing than a standard meal. This can be particularly useful for children who are sometimes picky about food.
Encouraging New Flavors and Textures
A snack board allows children to explore different flavors and textures without feeling obligated to eat everything. This offers a unique opportunity to let them experiment with new foods.
Examples of snacks for the drinks platter:
- Cheese cubes: For example the Leerdam cheese Whether the Old Amsterdam cheese, are perfect for kids who love cheese.
- Vegetable snacks: Think cucumber slices, carrot sticks or cherry tomatoes. Brands like Hipp offer organically grown vegetable snacks.
- Dip sauces: Hummus from Maza or guacamole from Avocado can encourage children to try more vegetables.
- Fruit: Apple slices or a mix of berries, such as those from Fruits, are always a hit.
Social Occasions
Snack boards are also ideal for social situations such as birthday parties, playdates or other gatherings. Children can share their favorite snacks together, which creates a sense of togetherness and conviviality.
Benefits in Social Situations:
- Sharing together: Children learn to share and enjoy different flavors together.
- Interactive experience: Creating their own snack can help children develop their independence and decision-making skills.
- Further development of social skills: While enjoying the drinks platter together, children can further develop their social skills by communicating about what they like and what they don't like.
Practical Tips for Putting Together a Snack Platter
When putting together a children's snack platter, there are several things to keep in mind. Here are some practical tips:
- Choose colorful and healthy options: The more colours the better. This makes the snack board visually appealing.
- Make sure you have a balance: Combine healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables with a few treats like mini crackers or small candies.
- Make it fun: Use themed plates or bowls from popular children's programs such as Paw Patrol or Minnie Mouse to make it more attractive.
Sample Drinking Board
Here is an example of a drinks platter that is suitable for children:
| Snack | Products | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Cheese | Leerdammer cheese, Old Amsterdam | Rich in calcium, tasty |
| Vegetables | Cucumber, carrots, cherry tomatoes | Full of vitamins, crunchy |
| Fruit | Apple, berries (Frutesse) | Healthy sweetness, packed with antioxidants |
| Dip sauces | Hummus (Maza), guacamole | Adds flavor, boosts vegetables |
| Treats | Mini crackers, small sweets | To make it attractive |
By considering these tips and examples, you can put together a tasty and attractive snack platter that will not only stimulate your children's appetite, but also contribute to their social development and the discovery of new flavors.
Healthy Options for the Snack Platter
A snack platter is a great way to enjoy different flavors and textures, but it is also important to choose healthy options. In this section, we discuss some tasty and nutritious snacks that you can include in your snack platter.
Fresh Fruit
Fresh fruit is not only delicious, but also an excellent source of vitamins and antioxidants. It can be presented in a variety of ways, such as:
- fruit skewers: Make colorful skewers with pineapple chunks, strawberries, and grapes. Brands like Häagen-Dazs also offer special fruit mixes for an extra touch.
- Seasonal fruits: Think of apples, pears or mandarins. These are often easy to cut and present attractively.
Vegetable Snacks with Dips
Vegetables are a great way to add fiber and nutrients to your snack platter. Pair them with tasty dips for an irresistible combination:
- Carrot and cucumber slices: These are ideal for dipping in hummus. Try the hummus from Maza, which provides a creamy texture and rich flavor.
- Bell pepper and celery: Serve with guacamole Holy Guacamole, a brand known for its natural ingredients without added preservatives.
Whole Wheat Crackers
Whole wheat crackers are an excellent base for your snack board. They contain more fiber than regular crackers and ensure a feeling of satiety. Recommended brands are:
- Roman: Offers a range of whole grain crackers that are perfect for pairing with different cheeses or spreads.
- Wasa: Their whole wheat crispbread is a crunchy and nutritious option that's easy to combine with other toppings.
Cheese
Cheese is a popular addition to a snack platter, but opt for healthier options. Consider the following choices:
- Lean cheeses: Such as 30+ cheese from Kraft, which contains less fat but is still full of flavor.
- Goat Cheese: This is often easier to digest and has a unique taste. Brands such as Chavroux offer delicious varieties that are also low in calories.
High Protein Options
Adding protein-rich snacks to your snack platter helps ensure a balanced diet. Here are some suggestions:
- Hummus: As mentioned earlier, Maza different flavors, including original, beetroot and avocado.
- Nut mix: A mix of almonds, cashews and walnuts from Nuts is a great source of healthy fats and protein. Watch your portion size, as nuts are high in calories.
Example of a Healthy Snack Board
Here's an example of how you can put together a healthy snack platter with the ingredients mentioned:
| Snack | Example | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh fruit | Strawberries, pineapple, grapes | Rich in vitamins and antioxidants |
| Vegetable snacks with dips | Cucumber with Maza hummus | Low in calories and rich in fiber |
| Whole wheat crackers | Römer whole wheat crackers | Contains more fiber and keeps you feeling full for longer |
| Cheese | 30+ cheese from Kraft | Low in fat, but full of flavour |
| High Protein Options | Hummus and nut mix from Nut's | Boosts protein intake and provides a feeling of satiety |
By choosing these healthy options, you create a snack platter that is not only delicious, but also contributes to a balanced diet. It is an excellent way to treat guests while keeping your health in mind.
Making the Snack Board Visually Attractive
A snack platter is not just a collection of snacks, but also an opportunity to be creative and attract children's attention. By focusing on the use of color, shapes and the right tableware, you can create an attractive presentation that will appeal to both parents and children.
Color use
Color is a crucial element when presenting a snack platter. Children are naturally attracted to bright and vibrant colors. It is therefore advisable to choose snacks that are available in different colors. Here are some examples:
- Vegetables: Choose colorful vegetables such as cherry tomatoes (red), cucumbers (green), and carrots (orange).
- Fruit: Use a mix of different fruits, such as blueberries, strawberries, and kiwis. A brand like Chiquita offers a wide range of fruits that are ideal for a drinks platter.
- Snacks: Think of snacks like Mini Babybel cheeses in their colorful packaging or Pineapple & Coconut chips from Tropical Feelings for an extra tropical touch.
Use of Fun Shapes
Using different shapes can take your snack platter presentation to the next level. Kids often enjoy eating snacks that are visually appealing. Consider the following options:
- Cookie Cutters: Cut cheese or fruit into fun shapes using cutters. For example, you can create star, heart or animal shapes.
- Bento Boxes: Consider using bento boxes like the monbento to present different snacks in separate compartments. This makes it visually appealing and easy for children to choose.
Various tableware pieces
Choosing the right tableware can significantly enhance the presentation of your snack platter. Use different types of tableware to add texture and height to the presentation:
- Wooden Planks: A rustic wooden plank of IKEA can give a cozy look to your drinks platter.
- Porcelain Bowls: Use small porcelain bowls for dips such as hummus or guacamole. Brands such as Royal Doulton offer stylish options.
- Colorful Napkins: Add color with napkins from Napkin Heaven in cheerful patterns that match the theme of your drinks platter.
Arranging Snacks
The way you arrange your snacks can make a big difference in the appeal of your snack platter. Here are some helpful tips:
- Group by Color: Place snacks of the same color together to create a visually appealing display.
- Elevation: Use small stands or glasses to present snacks at different heights. This creates a more dynamic look.
- Interactive Elements: Add elements where kids can choose their own snacks, such as a “create your own mini-wrap” station with different ingredients like tortillas, ham, lettuce and sauces.
Example of an Attractive Snack Board
Here's an example of how to put together an attractively presented snack platter:
| Snack category | Snacks | Colour | Crockery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegetables | Cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots | Red, Green, Orange | Wooden board |
| Fruit | Strawberries, blueberries, kiwi | Red, Blue, Green | Porcelain bowls |
| Cheese | Mini Babybel, cheese cubes | Red, Yellow | Bento box |
| Dips | Hummus, guacamole, tzatziki | Beige, Green | Small bowls |
| Chips | Tropical Feelings chips | Yellow | Wooden board |
By paying attention to color, shapes, tableware and arrangement, you can create a snack platter that is not only tasty, but also visually appealing and fun for kids.
Conclusion: A Fun and Healthy Drinks Experience for the Little Ones
In conclusion, creating the perfect kids’ snack platter not only provides a healthy snacking experience, but also a fun and interactive activity. By using colorful and themed presentations, you can stimulate your children’s appetite and curiosity. Apply the above tips and transform your next party into an unforgettable party for the little ones!
