Healthy Kids Toast + Activities to Make Healthy Snacking Fun

So many of you have been faced with the challenge of keeping housebound kids happy and healthy. Which is why I simply must share this healthy kids toast recipe along with some great activity tips from a registered dietitian. They’re fantastic for dairy-free children, and even those with multiple food allergies or dietary concerns.

Healthy Kids Toast + Activities to Make Healthy Snacking Fun

These tips were put together by Melanie Marcus, MA, RD, health and nutrition communications manager for Dole Food Company.

• Try Snack Taste Tests –The next time your kids reach for chips or cookies, try incorporating a taste test or food critic activity. It’s a great way to encourage trying something different and more nutritious.

• Play Healthy House – Use their play kitchen or play food to act out healthy kitchen activities like making salad, setting the table, peeling bananas and washing dishes. (Okay, that last one could be wishful thinking!) This can help young children become more independent, get more comfortable with nutritious foods, and grow into little mealtime helpers. Bonus! 

• Get them in Touch with other Senses – You can make a “sensory box” with everyday supplies. Simply place a fruit or vegetable (or two) inside a tissue box, and have children put their hands inside then try to guess which fruit it is by feeling it.

• Mix up Reading Time – From children’s books to cookbooks, there are plenty of reading materials to choose from that reinforce healthy eating habits. This is also a great time to help them understand food labels and what to look for if they have dietary restrictions.

• Introduce Recipes – When you’re preparing a meal, teach children of reading age how to review a recipe. Kids can learn kitchen skills as they see how ingredients transform into a finished dish. For example, try this fun, fruity recipe for  Healthy Kids Toast!

This healthy kids toast recipe with photos and tips was shared with us by Dole.

Special Diet Notes: Healthy Kids Toast

By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, optionally gluten-free, peanut-free, soy-free, optionally vegan, and vegetarian.

For tree nut-free toast, substitute your favorite seed butter for the almond butter

Healthy Kids Toast

 

Print

Prep time

15 mins

Total time

15 mins

 

This fun toast encourages creativity and nutritious eating! It makes a great snack or breakfast.

Author: Dole

Recipe type: Snack

Cuisine: American

Serves: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 4 slices whole-grain bread
• 6 tablespoons almond butter or seed butter
• 2 teaspoons honey (optional)
• 1 banana
• 2 strawberries, trimmed and halved
• 4 chunks (1½ inches) fresh pineapple (can substitute canned)
• 2 blackberries
• 2 teaspoons chia seeds or toasted flax seeds (optional)

Instructions

1. Toast the bread slices.
2. Spread the almond butter on the toast and drizzle with honey, if desired.
3. To make the “kids,” cut 8 slices and 32 matchsticks from the banana. Arrange one strawberry half and one pineapple chunk on two of slices toast. Arrange the remaining strawberry halves and blackberries on the remaining slices. Place one banana slice “head” at the top of each piece of fruit and arrange four banana matchsticks around each “kid” for arms and legs. Sprinkle the seeds along the bottom edges of toast under kids’ feet, if desired.

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More Fun Recipes & Ideas to Encourage Healthy Eating

30 Fun Dairy-Free Snacks to Make with Kids of All Ages

Build Your Own Dairy-Free Vesper Boards

12 Top Allergen-Free Snacks to Pack for Kids