10 Great Finger Foods to Make With Your Kids

Cooking with your children can be a fun, rewarding and inexpensive activity. If you’re on a budget but looking for a nice way to spend the day together, here are a few finger foods that are easy to make, inexpensive, kid-friendly and sure to appeal to adult palates, too.

1- Ants on a log:

Ants on a log is a simple finger food that is easy to make with just 3 simple ingredients: celery, peanut butter and raisins.
Ants on a log finger food
Ants on a log by Rex Roof/flickr
Let your child scoop out the peanut butter so that it fills the hollow part of the celery stalk. Place a line of raisin “ants” across the peanut butter and enjoy!  Alternate with nuts or carob chips if you like.

2- Fruity Popsicles:

Here is a great morning activity for a hot summer day. Let your child select his or her favorite fruit juices along with some frozen fruit. Blend up and pour into a few Popsicle molds (available at most grocery and dollar stores) and then freeze. Beat the heat by serving your fresh and fruity popsicles mid-afternoon.

3- Trail Mix:

You and your child can create a healthful and delicious snack that’s great to take on hikes, to the beach or can be enjoyed at home. Let your child select a healthy, high-fiber cereal and then add in some chocolate chips or carob, raisins, dried cranberries or bananas and nuts.

4- Chocolate and Strawberries:

If you’ve been looking for an easy-to-make finger foods that offer the delicious combination of sweet and healthy, you and the kids can make chocolate covered strawberries. Rinse and dry the strawberries, but keep the stems intact to make dipping easier. Use a double boiler to melt your chocolate without burning it. Once melted, turn off the heat and then quickly twirl each strawberry in the melted chocolate. Place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper.

5- Mini Pizzas:

Most every kid loves a good pizza, so why not make a finger food that is certain to be a hit?
mini pizza finger food
Pita Pizza by Mary Thompson/flickr
Let your child spread some  tomato sauce on pita bread, sprinkle on some regular or nondairy cheese and then add his or her favorite veggies. Bake and serve.

6- Tortilla roll-ups:

Here is an inexpensive and delicious finger food that kids can make themselves. Grab a tortilla, spread with your favorite condiment, add some veggies and roll it up! Add some variety and color by purchasing spinach or tomato tortillas. Kids will enjoy the green and red tinted sandwiches!

7-Finger Food Sandwiches:

Spend the day together by throwing a fun and funky children’s tea party, complete with kid-friendly “tea sandwiches.” Trim off the edges of your bread and then fill with margarine, cucumber and plain or nondairy cream cheese. Cucumber, margarine and fresh mint or dill are all yummy alternatives. Cut into squares or triangles, or perhaps get even more creative by using different shaped cookie cutters. Brew a pot of peppermint or spearmint tea and be sure to invite the teddy bears!

8- Kid’s Ice Tea:

Kids can help you make this delicious and healthy ice tea. Pour ½ cup of apple juice into ice cube trays and freeze. Boil 2 berry-flavored herbal teas in 1-½ cups of water. Cool the tea overnight in the refrigerator and then serve the following day by pouring a cup of tea and adding several of the apple juice ice cubes.

9-Fruit Kabobs:

Give your children the chance to get creative by making fancy fruit kabobs. All you will need are some wooden skewers  and a variety of colorful fruits like kiwi, strawberries, raspberries and apples.
Fruit Kabobs
Fruit kabobs by Angelcandy.baby/flickr
Cut into small pieces and then let your children create their own delicious (and healthy) desserts.

10-Inari Sushi:

Unlike traditional sushi, inari is a small, slightly sweetened soy “pocket” that is traditionally filled with sushi rice. Inari pouches are typically preserved in liquid and can be purchased by the can at most Asian markets. To make your inari: prepare your rice, open a can of inari and drain the liquid and then stuff each inari pocket with rice. Serve with pickled ginger for a more authentic taste.Consider the above recipes a great way to get the ball rolling. Provide your child with a wholesome mix of whole grains, proteins, fruits and vegetables and the two of you will be able to come up with thousands of quick and family-friendly finger food recipes that everyone will enjoy.About the author
Author Jenny McCarthy is the mother of four, and an insurance consultant in the UK.  She also is a website content contributor for companies providing home insurance like the UK coverage specialist Policy Expert.