As an early-childhood director, I love to see young children eat healthy and delicious snacks.

I am amazed at how much our 2-year-olds eat and enjoy their snacks on Sunday and Wednesday activity nights. Many times when it is hot, young children may not feel like eating, but we as parents and caregivers can prepare and create yummy meals and snacks that entice their little appetites. I’d like to share some of the food ideas I have used this summer and over the years.

• Vegetable needs are so important for young children. I like to put baby carrots, small chunks of celery and broccoli in a bowl with ice-cold water. Chilling the vegetables for an hour or two before serving gives them a delicious, crunchy taste that young children love. Add your child’s favorite choice of dressings or dips and you will win their hearts over to delicious vegetable eating.
• Cold is the key ingredient with fruit needs too! Frozen bananas (not mushy frozen, but firm, frozen bananas) offer healthy treats as good as ice cream. You can mash the bananas, mix the bananas or even put the bananas in a blender to create an easy edible form for your young child. Top the banana treat off with chocolate syrup or any syrup toppings your child may like and you have a healthy, delicious dessert.

Continuing with fruit needs, we early-childhood teachers were amazed at how much cold watermelon our young children ate during Vacation Bible School a few weeks ago! You can keep the seeds to plant or use them for crafts.  Be careful your young child doesn’t swallow the seeds.

Seedless grapes are another favorite for young children. They will definitely eat all of these off the vine.

Fruit slushies made straight from the fruit like orange slushies made in a blender with whole oranges, orange juice and crushed ice are a welcome summer drink after a hot morning of play.

Fresh fruit puddings, which your child can help you make, as well as fruit Jello, are a delight to a young child’s palate.

• “Rollercoasters” — the kind you digest — are an age-old favorite for young children. Simply roll strips of ham or turkey with cheese strips. Your child has met her or his dairy meat needs on a hot summer day.
• Homemade trail mix pretzels, raisins, and other dried fruits in a sealed bag is a healthy snack for play!

Beth Pinyerd lives in Daphne and serves as director of younger children at Faith Family Fellowship in Spanish Fort.

Her column appears regularly in The Bulletin.