More Summer-Friendly Recipes Kids Can Prepare

Salads can offer so much variety that it is hard to get bored of them — but you and your kids are probably going to want to enjoy making other foods together too. 

Popsicle Recipe Ideas

Ikea popsicle molds come in two fun colors, and each option makes six popsicles... over and over again! I am sure there are other reusable popsicle molds out there that will provide your family with just as much tasty fun. Which kid doesn't love ice cream, after all? 

This summer, we've decided to say no to commercial ice creams and to make our own. The home-made variety is much healthier and cheaper as well. 

We have had our popsicle molds for a few weeks now, and have already had a lot of fun with them. My kids have even eaten popsicles for breakfast, and I didn't feel guilty for one moment. Why? The popsicles contained nothing but banana and a little cinnamon! Let me tell you, they were fantastic. You can get your kids to throw bananas into the blender and press the button. Transfer your mixture to the popsicle molds, and you will be good to go in a few hours. 

We've also had luck with yogurt, raspberries and a touch of honey. Raspberries, blueberries, fresh lemon juice and... bitter lemon popsicles were to die for, though not as healthy as you may like. Feel free to experiment with fruits, fruit juices, yogurt, soy milk, and even bits of cookie. You can even add rum or tequila to a popsicle for the adults, but that's another story. 

Pancakes — Yes, Kids Can Make Them

Pancakes rightfully have the reputation of being a food that kids love, and they're easy to whip up in next to no time. Still, I have to admit that I was beyond impressed when I witnessed my friend's four year old make pancakes from scratch. All the way by himself and without even asking for permission. He didn't just know what the ingredients were, he also knew how much of everything was needed.

Once he made the mixture, he turned the (electric) stove on, added a little butter to the frying pan, and used a cup to pour the right amount of batter in. He flipped the pancake over with a spatula, taking care not to touch the frying pan or the stove the entire time.

Pancakes are pretty versatile. You can bake apples or bananas into them, use different types of flour, add all kinds of fresh fruit (figs, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, use your imagination), or go for savory combinations like rocket, cheese, and avocado. 

Skewers For Summer Nights

Vegetables skewers are another great food idea that will make everyone happy on a hot summer night. You can put them on the barbecue or use a grill pan instead, and you don't need a lot of oil at all. Kids can help you cut up your ingredients and slide them onto wooden skewers. 

What can you put on your skewers? Almost anything, but make sure whatever you use is firm enough to stay on. Zucchini, cherry tomatoes, egg plant, mushroom, bell peppers, tofu, baby corn, and a hard cheese like halloumi all work really well. If you're meat eaters, you can obviously also add meat. 

Skewers also work great as a snack for summer garden parties. They'll appeal even to kids you aren't usually into veggies all that much.