Want to get your kid in the kitchen this summer without turning on the stove? That’s one of our (many) specialties!

Kids of any age can put together dishes that will not only give them a fun activity, but also empower them to start taking responsibility for feeding themselves. If that sounds liberating, it’s because it is.

Our favorite no-cook summer snacks to get your kiddo in the kitchen

1) Apple Donuts

These ‘donuts’ are fun to make and super nutritious. For the toppings you can really serve anything that you have laying around such as flaked coconut, raisins, sesame or pumpkin or sunflower seeds, chocolate chips, sprinkles.

Parents of younger kids can slice the apples into discs, while older kids can do it themselves. Allow your young chefs to spread the nut butter on each disc and top with their favorite toppings. (These toppings can be stored into small mason jars that the kids will have easy access to.) You may consider using bananas or strawberries that can easily be sliced by kids, and topped just like the donuts.

2) Decorated Avocado Toast

These are similar in concept to the apple donuts. Kids can mash the avocado on a plate with a sprinkle of salt and a little olive oil, then spread that on a toast, or rice cake, and top with something crunchy or flavorful like nutritional yeast, sesame seeds, paprika, pumpkin seeds. 

Kids love getting creative with these and making designs with their toppings!

3) Summer Fruit Parfait

Kids love to chop and layer. Using peaches, berries and bananas will allow your little ones to chop with a butter knife safely, or you can give them a hand by peeling and slicing bigger fruit like melons or papaya.

Cut the fruit into small bite sizes and reserve in a bowl. Use natural greek yogurt with a tad of sugar or maple syrup, or your kids’ favorite flavored yogurt. Have them scoop a couple of spoons of fruit, level with the back of a spoon, then scoop a couple of spoons of yogurt on top, level it, and repeat until all the ingredients are done. It’s fun if assembled in a clear cup or bowl so they can see the layers. Add a small little piece of fruit or a mint leaf on top to make it fancy looking!

Mint is a great addition to the parfait, and can be torn by little fingers and added to the fruit.

4) Guacamole & Dip

Making homemade guacamole is surprisingly easy and always a hit. Cut open 2 avocados and take out the pit. Mash up the avocado in a bowl until smooth. Add in diced tomatoes , cilantro, lime juice, garlic powder, salt & pepper to taste. Mix together until combined and voilà: homemade guacamole! To make it even easier you can switch all the vegetables and herbs for a couple of spoons of pre-made pico de gallo or tomato salsa. Serve with chips, crackers or crudité vegetables.

5) Ants on a Log

This classic kid-friendly snack never fails to please. All you need is some celery sticks (the logs), peanut butter (the ants) and raisins (their eyes). Spread peanut butter onto each celery stick then top with raisins for eyes—so cute! You can also choose different nut butters if preferred - almond butter tastes great too.

6) Popcorn Bar

Popcorn is great on its own, but a popcorn bar makes it fun.

Buy some pre-popped popcorn from your local grocery store then set up a topping bar where guests can dress their popcorn however they like. (Think chocolate chips; shredded coconut; mini marshmallows; pretzels; nuts; dried fruit…you get the idea!) Have fun with it and let everyone customize their popcorn just how they like it.

Whether your kiddo likes sweet or savory snacks or something in between— there's something here for everyone. So, get creative this year by putting together an awesome snack table full of goodies made by your little chefs— they'll have fun making them as much as eating them afterwards.