Today we experimented with the idea of fruit and cheese kebabs (which I really, really want to spell as “kabob,” despite Spell Check’s insistence that I shouldn’t).  We made a trip to the produce section of the grocery store and walked out with strawberries, grapes, and apples.  Then to the dairy case for a couple of kinds of cheese.  We went with cheddar and mozzarella because I have some other recipes in mind that use those two types.

What you need to make fruit and cheese kebabs:

• One or two cheeses
• Different types of fruit
• Skewers
• Small cookie cutters

A little fruit, a little cheese, and a couple of skewers!

We used small cookie cutters to make our cheese and apples into fun star shapes.

Cut your fruit and cheese into bite-sized pieces that kids can help put on the kebabs.

Alternate fruit and cheese on your skewer for healthy fruit kebabs that kids love to eat.

What I Learned the Hard Way:  Your kid may be way more interested in just eating the fruit and cheese as you’re busy trying to make it look pretty.  This is a good thing, though.  It means she was actually enjoying a healthy snack!

This homemade smoothie recipe is healthy and totally kid-approved.

When it comes to getting kids to eat healthfully, it’s not always easy.  Dot and I got to experimenting a while back and ended up making some awesome soothies.  She likes them so much that we went through quite an experience one night when she kept asking for “foovies,” and we had no idea what she was saying.  Now the whole family calls them foovies, and we have them all the time.

Related Pages: Non-Alcoholic Drink Recipes for Kids,Watermelon Recipes

There are tons of ways to make smoothies, but we like our version, and it’s even pretty healthy:

• 3/4 cup yogurt (we like fruit or vanilla)
• 3/4 cup frozen berries or fruit
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 1/2 banana

Everything in this yummy smoothie recipe is pretty healthy.

Blend the smoothie ingredients until...well...smooth.

I just recently tried freezing some of the smoothies in these popsicle molds I got from Tupperware, and they are a HUGE hit.

Smoothie popsicles are awesome!

I love the homemade animal crackers and dip idea at the bottom – especially if you can use fall cookie cutters for the shapes!

Be sure to also check these Thanksgiving cupcake ideas and keep the kids busy while you are cooking with our Thanksgiving coloring pages!

Kaiser 612904 Fall Themed Cookie Cutters Qty 8
Price: $16.5
Kaiser 612904 Fall Themed Cookie Cutters Qty 8

Related Pages: Healthy Pasta Recipe for Kids, Applesauce Recipes, more Summer Watermelon Recipes

Chips and Watermelon Salsa

Watermelon Salsa Ingredients

This is a mild and sweet salsa with a really fresh taste. I used onion and garlic powder to add flavor that wasn’t too overpowering for the kids. If I were to make it for adults, I would substitute fresh minced onion and garlic instead. If you have really juicy tomatoes, this salsa can get pretty watery because of the watermelon. So you may want to strain it just a bit when it’s completed. Putting watermelon in the recipe is a great ‘selling point’ – my youngest very picky eater was so curious that even she was willing to try it (to my absolute amazement!).

6-7 Medium tomatoes, diced (Preferably fresh from the garden!)

1/2 Banana pepper, finely diced (about 1 tbsp)

1 cup Watermelon, diced (Don’t squish it! Keep it a little chunky.)

1 Lime

1/2 tsp Onion salt

1/4 tsp Cumin

1 tsp Onion powder

1 tbsp Garlic powder

Dash of chili powder

1 tsp Paprika

1 tsp Oregano

1 tsp Red wine vinegar

Chopped parsley or cilantro to taste

Combine tomatoes, banana pepper, and watermelon in a medium mixing bowl. Microwave your lime – whole – for 30 seconds. This releases the juices amazingly well. Squeeze the lime juice into the bowl and try to get as much pulp into the mix as you can. I cut the pulp off with a knife. Add the parsley or cilantro and mix well with a spoon.

Sprinkle the rest of the dry seasoning ingredients and vinegar on top and again mix well. There’s no need to puree or mush the ingredients together – the watery tomatoes and watermelon take care of themselves. Like I said earlier, you may even need to strain it a bit.

While you can serve this immediately, it tastes even better if it can sit overnight in your fridge!

Check out all of our easy and kid-friendly recipes while you are here!

But man (and child) cannot live on berries alone – though my kids would if they could! So here’s a roundup of really easy summer recipes both you and your kids will love. These would be perfect for summer BBQs, summer party food, or just take a rainy afternoon and make them with your kids!

Related Pages: Watermelon Recipes, Summer Party Games, Ice Cream Party Games

Summer Fruit Recipes

Easy Kids Lunch Ideas

Smoothie Recipes

Summer Dessert Recipes

Check out all of our summer kids crafts while you are here, too!

Healthy Halloween Skeleton Sandwiches	Pumpkin Fruit Cup Treats	Caramel Apple Pizza	Whole Wheat Bat Cookies Recipe
Watermelon Brains Halloween Fruit Treat	Jack O Lantern Fruit Kebabs	Veggie Skeleton Halloween Snacks	Devilish Deviled Egg Monsters
Monsters on a Stick	Tombstone Halloween Party Sandwiches	Monster Eyes Meatball Sandwich	Pumpkin Seed Popcorn Ball Treats
Salty Bone Breadsticks	Spooky Spider Bread Rolls	Pumpkin Pancake Recipe	Strawberry Ghosts Halloween Treats

Have lots more Halloween fun with our printable Halloween masks, pumpkin carving patterns, printable Halloween games, and Halloween coloring pages!

When cooking with peanut butter, I recommend using an all-natural variety so that you can limit the added sugars and fats. I used to have the hardest time finding natural peanut butter, but these days most grocery stores carry several brands. Santa Cruz Organics sent me some samples over the summer that would be perfect (if only they were still around in my house – my hubby is a peanut butter freak!).

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars	Warm PB & J Dip	Peanut Butter and Jelly Shortbread Wedges	Peanut Butter and Jelly Parfait
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sushi Lunchbox Rolls	Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies	Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins	Peanut Butter and Jelly Cake Recipe

Peanut Butter and Honey Recipes

Honey Cinnamon Peanut Dip	Honey Peanut Balls	Honey Peanut Butter Cookies	Peanut Butter and Honey Fudge

Peanut Butter and Banana Recipes

Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie	Peanut Banana Bread Pudding	Peanut Banana Lunchbox Rolls	Peanut Butter and Banana Crepes

For more back to school fun, check out 10 awesome kids lunch boxes, back to school review worksheets or all of the content on the newest Woo! Jr. Network site at Classroom Jr.!