Over the last few weeks, our team has shared how they incorporate snack boards with their families. At my house, snacks are constantly being grabbed from the fridge and pantry throughout the day. When my first grader walks in the door after school, she is ravenous! Having a snack board ready for her with a mix of her favorite snacks and healthy options helps tide her over until dinner.
Here are a few of my favorite ways to make snack boards fun and kid-friendly:
- Find a fun tray or large plate- I have quite a collection of themed platters and trays that I’ve picked up from dollar stores and thrift shops over the years. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on a fancy charcuterie board—a larger plastic tray or plate works great! One of my family’s favorites is a popsicle-shaped tray that we love to pull out during the summer months.
- Use small bowls or containers for dips and condiments- My kids think small ramekins and dip bowls are super cute, and they’re a great way to add condiments or dips to a board. I typically include a veggie dip, like this Vegetable Dip, and a sweet dip or spread—because who doesn’t love having both sweet and salty options?!
- Have a variety of colors and food groups- If given the choice, my oldest daughter would eat sweets all day long! Having a board with plenty of variety, both in color and food groups, makes it easier to choose a more balanced snack and I hear less comments about hungry tummies before dinner. I love to add cut‑up veggies and fruit, pepperonis or summer sausage, crackers or pita bread, and small treats like cookies, marshmallows, or mini Yogurt Parfaits topped with sprinkles.
Occasionally, I’ll create a themed snack board, but most of the time I simply grab a variety of items from the fridge and pantry and arrange them together. Having snacks already set out eliminates the guesswork at snack time. And as a bonus, my kids’ friends are always asking to come over knowing a snack board will be involved; I’ll take that as a win!
