Healthy Springtime Snack Ideas

Robin Williams once said “spring is nature’s way of saying, “lets party!” You can use the change in seasonal fruits and vegetables to help liven up your children’s taste buds and offer them exceptional nutritional value in their springtime snacks.

Blueberry Muffin Energy Balls

Flickr Creative Commons: Photo by @rsseattle

Blueberries are just coming into season and the benefits that come with them are amazing. They are known to soften skin, fight cancer and they are anti-inflammatory. There are a million ways to incorporate them into your child’s diet. Chose an amazing, all natural, healthy and raw ingredient recipe to ensure the care of what goes into your children’s bodies. Blueberry Muffin Energy Balls only have six ingredients. They are easily portable, so you could put them into a lunchbox or eat them on the go.

Homemade Fruit Roll Ups

Homemade fruit roll ups are another great way to utilize all the fruits coming into season this spring. You can use any type of fruit you would like, but some seasonal suggestions include peaches, apricots or pears. This recipe may take a little more time, but can be stored for up to a month so a little preparation goes a long way. Mix fruits to take your children’s taste buds to a whole other level.

Butterfly Snack Packs

Sometimes the way a snack is packaged is all that matters to encourage little ones to eat fruits and vegetables. Butterfly snack packs are a great way to package any healthy child treat! Others have filled them with grapes, cereal or blueberries, but the possibilities are endless.

Flickr Creative Commons: Photo by Jeffreyw

Heart-Healthy Granola Bars

Granola Bars are a favorite of many people- big and small. Our heart-healthy granola bars are super easy to make and you’ll feel good sharing them with your loved ones. They include a lot of great fiber too!

These snacks are portable & nutritious! They also could be made in advance for healthy treats all season long. Try one today- happy springtime snacking!

DIY Teacher Appreciation Gifts

As the school year winds down, let’s give a shout-out to all those dedicated teachers who’ve spent 9 months focused on your child’s papers, projects and maybe even introducing them to their new favorite book.

In celebration of the end of the school year, here are some simple, thoughtful thank you gifts that you can create with your child!

“My teacher is AW-esome” To make this simple gift, grab a pack of A&W Root Beer and a sweet treat. (Added bonus if you know your recipients’ favorite candy) Complete the gift with a handmade tag or note!

“Thank You for helping ______ grow!” Nothing says spring like a pot of flowers or plants! Once you pick out the perfect bloom, simply take a ruler and make a handmade thank you card, like the example below.

Dress Up a Card with a Homemade Touch There are plenty of free, printable cards to use as the base for this craft; your child can write on the backside expressing gratitude for everything that their teacher has done throughout the year!

“Piecing you together” Does your child’s teacher have a sweet tooth? This simple craft calls for a mason jar, a bag of Reese’s Pieces, ribbon, and a hand crafted sign.

“It’s so refreshing to have a teacher like you!” Here at Meadow Farms, we definitely value eco-friendly ideas like this one: find a reusable drinking glass, your favorite tea flavor or Crystal Light, and a homemade sign. A great gift to start a relaxing summer vacation!

This spring, let’s take a pause to remember something; teachers are some of the most important people in our young lives. They can be like second-parents - people who provide knowledge and guidance to last a lifetime. That’s why we encourage creating your own handmade note of thanks to compliment your gift!

Have fun creating this craft with your child - and remember how much you valued your teachers when growing up! For more craft ideas and free pintables follow us on Pinterest and check out our “Teacher Appreciation” board.