Are you in dire need of some activities? Would you like to encourage kitchen skills for your children, but aren’t sure where to start? There’s no worry and no fuss with these fun dairy-free snacks. They don’t require stove top cooking or baking, and most can be made by hand without use of any kitchen appliances. Consequently, they’re good for kids of all ages to make, with only a little help from mom, dad, or an older sibling. Some are so simple and tasty, they might become one of your favorites too!
30 Fun Dairy-Free Snacks to Make with Kids of All Ages
As an added bonus, these recipes are versatile and allergy-friendly. They’re all dairy-free, but can also be made gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, and egg-free, if needed.
Caramel Apple Nachos
The 3-ingredient, dairy-free caramel sauce on these nachos doesn’t require any cooking, and is nutritious! Kids can decorate their nachos with other toppings like nuts, seeds, granola, and dairy-free chocolate chips.
Rainbow Parfaits
Half the fun is layering the fruit, the other half is eating it! Kids that are experienced with the mixer can also make the dairy-free whipped cream.
Barbecue Popcorn
Teach kids how to mix up their own seasonings, and it will open them up to new flavors at a young age. Simply air pop popcorn, drizzle it with coconut oil (or melted dairy-free buttery spread) and let them sprinkle away! For a second option, Adrienne at Whole New Mom has a Dorito Popcorn Seasoning.
Banana Sushi Rolls
You have to admit, these are an incredibly awesome idea. Sweet, nutritious, and seriously fun to eat. They’re a great way to practice those chopsticks skills too.
Dairy-Free Cheesecake Dip
This is a simple stir recipe that kids can make and enjoy with their favorite dippers. It’s delicious with all types of fruit and makes an allergy-friendly dessert with graham crackers or cookies.
Brown Bear Crackers
Cute, fun and delicious! Use your favorite nut or seed butter, or make “grizzlies” with dairy-free chocolate spread. Or you can make “polar bears” with dairy-free cream cheese alternative. You can also substitute raisins for the blueberries with equally cute results.
Vesper Boards
This German variation on bread or cheese boards is usually served without cheese! They’re served as snacks, and kids can have fun picking and assembling their own boards. And it’s a great way to incorporate savory items into your repertoire of fun dairy-free snacks.
Paleo Peanut Butter Bars
You and your kids can make these with peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, almond butter, or whatever “nut” butter you have in your pantry. We can thank Erin of Texanerin for this healthy treat! See my How to Melt Chocolate with Kids instructions at the end of this post.
No Bake Crumble Yogurt Parfaits
This is one of my favorites on this list of fun dairy-free snacks. The crumble is stirred together and briefly chilled until crunchy, not baked. It’s amazing on dairy-free yogurt and fruit parfaits.
DIY Candy Bars
Allergy-friendly snack bars can be transformed into nutritious candy bars! We make minis for smaller hands to manage. See my How to Melt Chocolate with Kids instructions at the end of this post.
Peanut Butter Protein Balls
This is one of those easy recipes that you can teach or child when their 8, and they’ll still be making it when they’re 28! Timeless protein balls are also easy to adapt for almost any dietary need, even peanut- and nut-free.
Apple Fries
I wish I could take credit for this ingenious idea. Mom, dad, or an older sibling might need to cut the apples, but younger kids can build their own “bag of fries” from there.
Deli Spirals with Rainbow Salad
I love that most tortillas are naturally dairy free. They’re perfect for making roll-ups and pairing with this colorful salad. It’s healthy finger food for all ages.
Fat Pocky
This sweet homemade snack is so easy to make with thin bread sticks, and it’s just like the classic treat! See my How to Melt Chocolate with Kids instructions at the end of this post.
Chia Yogurt Pudding
Although it needs a few hours to chill, you can mix this “pudding” up with kids in the morning and they can enjoy it in the afternoon.
Keto Snickerdoodle Cookie Bites
If your little ones need low sugar and healthy fats, let them make these tender morsels. It’s a fun stir and roll recipe! The recipe if by Adrienne at Whole New Mom.
Triple Chocolate Mug Muffin
Kids can simply stir the ingredients of this nutritious, naturally gluten-free muffin together, and cook it in the microwave. It’s an instant whole grain treat!
Easy Dairy Free Yogurt Parfaits
The beauty of parfaits is that kids can layer them however they like, and you can use whatever you have on hand – within reason! Sarah of The Fit Cookie uses crunchy rice rollers, but your kids can crush up granola bars or cookies, or sprinkle in granola or their favorite cereal. If you don’t have fresh fruit on hand, swap in their favorite dried fruit. They can also add more layers with nuts and seeds. The sky is the limit!
Easy Oreo Truffles
Okay, these are more of a treat, but they’re worth it! Nicole at Allergylicious is an expert at making sweet vegan treats for kids and adults, ranging from elaborate to “kids can make” status. I like this one because kids can crush the cookies themselves, stir everything together, dip, roll, top, and more. It’s a full, but easy, project. If you’re store has run out of the dairy-free cream cheese alternative you purchase, you can substitute a nut or seed butter. See my How to Melt Chocolate with Kids instructions at the end of this post.
Trail Mix Up
Trail mix might sound boring, but it’s a choose your own adventure for kids. This post includes several suggestions for add-ins and mixes, but you can place shelf-stable ingredients you have on hand in little bowls and let them mix their own. They can even pack them into baggies and label them with names.
Celery Canoes with Grapes
This upgraded version of ants on a log is easy to put together and is a good way to get kids to eat their celery. But I wouldn’t make this recipe if you don’t want to encourage them to play with their food!
Easy Banana Wraps
This is a simpler variation on the banana sushi above that kids master in minutes, and even make on their own! But it can also encourage creativity. The recipe uses just three ingredients, but your child (or inner child!) can add in whatever they like. They can sprinkle on crunchy cereal, dark chocolate sauce, crushed nuts, seeds, sprinkles, and more before rolling and noshing. This idea is from Megan at Allergy Awesomeness, and isn’t her child adorable?!
Healthy Chocolate Chip Mug Cookie
It’s hard to argue with this virtuous cookie recipe. It can be stirred and microwaved in minutes. It’s also naturally gluten-free and made with whole grains and unrefined sweetener.
Summer Beach Toast
You might be stuck inside right now, but life’s a beach with this fun toast! Encourage kids to get creative. They might also like this Winter Wonderland Toast idea.
Popcorn Pretzel Sticks
Warning: this recipe could get messy. But it’s guaranteed to be fun and tasty. See my How to Melt Chocolate with Kids instructions at the end of this post.
Grape Salad
The youngest member of the Hatfield household often makes this salad, but all of his siblings enjoy it.
Monkey Pops
These chocolate-dipped banana bites are easy for kids to handle, and fun to roll in their toppings of choice. See my How to Melt Chocolate with Kids instructions at the end of this post.
Oatmeal Cookie Dough Bites
These stir and roll treats are made with unrefined sweeteners and dairy-free yogurt! If you only have pantry ingredients on hand, you can substitute unsweetened applesauce for the yogurt. It will lend a different, but still tasty flavor.
Healthy Push Pops
Parfaits meet push pops with this fun recipe! You will need some push pops to make these, but they are easy and inexpensive to order online. Most varieties are also reusable.
Chocolate Covered Raisin Clusters
What kid doesn’t love chocolate-covered raisins? Yours? Then make these with their favorite dried fruit, nuts, seeds, granola, crispy cereal, etc. Just let them have fun with it! You might also like my Chocolate Granola Clusters Recipe to mix things up. See my How to Melt Chocolate with Kids instructions at the end of this post.
Watermelon Cake
You cut the “cake” but they get to decorate it with the healthy “frosting,” fruit, and other delicious decorations. It’s one dessert that you won’t mind them eating in the morning!
How to Melt Chocolate with Kids
A few of these recipes involve melting chocolate. This can actually be a fun and safe activity for kids. Find a bowl that fits snugly and a little raised in a pan. Set the pan on a trivet or square pot holder on the counter or table. Bring some water to a boil (I use a kettle) and pour it in the pan (an inch or two deep). Place the bowl on top of the pan. It’s fine if the bottom is in the water. Wrap a towel around the pan to prevent young hands from touching the hot pot. Now they can add the chocolate to the bowl and stir it as it melts. The water and pan cool as you work, but still stay hot enough to keep the chocolate fluid for dipping and mixing.
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