The holidays are a time for family, friends, and of course, lots of delicious food! However, too much sweets or junk food is not good for your children’s health.
This is why healthy Christmas treats for kids are the perfect way to help them enjoy the season without compromising their health. Read on to find out about 30 healthy Christmas snacks that will surely please your little ones!
30 Healthy Christmas Treats for Kids That They’ll Surely Love
While Christmas might be a cheat day for adults regarding their food, healthy eating habits should still be encouraged for kids’ growing minds and bodies.
Here are 30 healthy Christmas treats for kids that you can make at home, and your little ones will actually enjoy:
1. Winter Fruit Kabobs
Cut up pieces of fresh fruit like apples, oranges, and bananas into cubes and skewer them onto lollipop sticks. You can also add healthy treats like mini marshmallows or yogurt-covered raisins for extra flavor. This fun holiday treat tops the best healthy Christmas snack ideas for kids out there. This will surely add some pizzazz to a holiday party for kids.
2. Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Dip pretzel rods in melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with colored sprinkles or chopped nuts to make a healthy snack that looks as good as it tastes! Healthy little foods like this belong to the most fun Christmas snacks for kids that parents can make.
3. Trail Mix Snack Mix
Make a healthy snack mix by combining healthy ingredients like dried fruits, nuts, and seeds. You can also add some mini chocolate chips for extra sweetness. Healthy holiday snacks like this should be shared with other parents, too!
4. Santa’s Strawberry Shortcake
Top slices of angel food cake with fresh strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream to make this festive treat taste as healthy as it looks. Holiday snack ideas like this one can also be included in fun breakfast ideas for kids.
5. Christmas Sugar Cookies
Decorate healthy sugar cookies with festive holiday shapes and colors to make a healthy treat that kids will love. Use whole wheat flour and honey as healthy substitutes for white flour and sugar.
6. Mashed Potato Snowmen
Create these healthy snowmen by mashing potatoes with herbs, butter, and a bit of healthy cheese. Top with healthy sprinkles or chopped herbs for a festive look.
7. Christmas Tree Fruit Pizza
Top a healthy pizza crust with cream cheese frosting and arrange slices of fresh fruit to create the shape of a Christmas tree. Kids can customize their own healthy pizzas by adding different fruits as decorations.
8. Popcorn Snowflakes
Mix some popcorn with melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with festive sprinkles for a healthy snack that looks like snowflakes.
9. Candy Cane Yogurt Parfait
Layer yogurt, healthy granola, and fresh fruit in glasses to create healthy parfaits. Add a peppermint stick and red food dye to the yogurt to make them look like candy cane treats.
10. Reindeer Cookies
Make healthy reindeer cookies by using healthy ingredients like oats, honey, and nuts as healthy substitutes for white flour and sugar. Decorate with healthy icing and candy eyes for a festive look.
11. Santa Strawberries
Dip fresh strawberries in melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with healthy sprinkles or chopped nuts to make healthy reindeer treats. You can also add mini chocolate chips for extra sweetness.
12. Christmas Tree Veggie Tray
Use healthy vegetables like carrots, celery, and bell peppers to create a healthy Christmas tree snack tray. Add healthy dips like hummus or guacamole for an extra boost of flavor.
13. Gingerbread Houses
Use healthier options like oats, nuts, and honey instead of sugar. Decorate the house with icing and candy eyes for a festive look.
14. Santa’s Apples
Dip slices of apples in melted dark chocolate and top with healthy sprinkles or chopped nuts to make healthy reindeer treats. You can also add mini chocolate chips for extra sweetness.
15. Christmas Crunch
Mix healthy cereal with melted dark chocolate, spread it onto a baking tray, and sprinkle festive sprinkles for a healthy snack that looks like snowflakes.
16. Snowman Soup
Make a snowman soup by mixing healthy ingredients like oats, honey, and nuts as healthy substitutes for white flour and sugar. Decorate with healthy icing and candy eyes for an extra boost of flavor.
17. Reindeer Rice Crispy Treats
Use healthy ingredients like oats, honey, and nuts as healthy substitutes for sugar. Decorate with healthy icing and candy eyes for a festive look.
18. Christmas Caramel Apples
Dip apples in caramel and top with sprinkles or chopped nuts to make these caramel apples. You can also add chocolate chips for extra sweetness.
19. Hot Chocolate Oat Balls
Mix healthy oatmeal, cocoa powder, honey, and healthy nuts to make healthy hot chocolate oat balls. Dip the healthy treats in melted dark chocolate for an extra boost of flavor.
20. Santa Nachos
Top some nacho chips with cheese and salsa, and sprinkle with colorful veggies for a healthy snack. Kids can customize their nachos by adding different healthy toppings.
21. Christmas S’mores
Make s’mores by using plain graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate. You can top them with ingredients like oats, fruits, and nuts for added nutrition.
22. Snowman Shaped Pita Sandwiches
Make healthy and fun snowman sandwiches by cutting pita bread into a snowman shape, adding healthy spreads like hummus or tahini, and topping it with healthy fruits for eyes, nose, and buttons.
24. Candy Cane Energy Bites
Create healthy energy bites with healthy ingredients like oats, nuts, and honey. Shape them into candy cane shapes and dip them in healthy melted chocolate for a festive treat.
25. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles
Make cookie dough truffles by substituting healthy alternatives for white sugar and flour. Decorate with chocolate chips, sprinkles, and melted chocolate.
26. Apple Trees
Create a healthy snack by cutting an apple into slices and decorating it with healthy nuts, raisins, or other healthy toppings. Serve them in a Christmas tree shape for added fun.
27. Ants on a Log
This classic snack can be made healthy by using healthy nut butters like almond butter or sunflower seed butter as the “ants” and healthy celery as the “log”. Sprinkle healthy nuts, seeds, or dried fruits on top to give them a festive feel.
28. Christmas Tree Pizza
Make a pizza using healthy ingredients such as whole wheat dough, olive oil, and healthy toppings like vegetables or lean meats. Cut it into a Christmas tree shape for a healthy, festive meal.
29. Carrot Coins
Take some carrots and cut them into coin-shaped slices. Dip them in healthy dips like hummus or tahini for a healthy snack that looks like coins!
30. Snowman Popcorn Balls
Mix popcorn with healthy ingredients like nuts, dried fruits, and some melted chocolate. Form them into snowman shapes for a healthy holiday treat!
These are just some of the many healthy Christmas treats that you can make for your kids this holiday season. From healthy pizza to healthy popcorn balls, there’s something for everyone – even those picky eaters!
How Can I Make Sure That Kids’ Healthy Eating Habits Don’t Get Compromised During Christmas?
Even though you’ve prepared healthy meals and snacks all year, it’s understandable if healthy eating habits can go out the window during the holidays.
But luckily, you can still impose a healthy diet on your kids by following the suggestions above. Other tips to make healthy eating habits stick during the holidays include:
1. Make Healthy Treats Together
Involve your kids when preparing treats by making a healthy dessert or snack together, like a fruit-topped oatmeal muffin or healthy trail mix. Your kids will be more likely to try something they helped make in the kitchen!
2. Opt for Fresh Fruit
Choose healthy snacks like fresh fruit over sugary treats like candy and chocolates. You can also freeze pieces of bananas or grapes to give your kids a healthy and cold treat.
3. Offer More Veggies
Incorporate more vegetables into your meals, and make sure to serve smaller portions of unhealthy food. Offering healthy munchies like carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and hummus is a great way to keep your kids away from unhealthier snacks like chips.
4. Stay Active
Encourage your kids to stay active by playing yard games or having a dance party at home. This will help them burn off the calories they gain from unhealthy treats.
5. Make It Special
Make healthy snacks and meals special for your kids by decorating them or serving them in fun shapes. For example, you can turn healthy pancakes into Christmas tree shapes or fill a cup with healthy fruits and make it look like a snowman!
Even though healthy eating can be challenging during the holidays, it’s not impossible. With these healthy Christmas treats for kids, you can make healthy eating habits stick around without depriving your family of any special holiday treats!
Conclusion
Even though Christmas is a time of indulging and eating sweet treats, healthy options still have a place in the festivities. Kids should be able to enjoy delicious snacks while also not feeling too guilty about what they’re eating.
Whether you’re looking for healthy snack ideas or healthy Christmas recipes, the 30 healthy Christmas treats for kids listed above will surely please even the pickiest of eaters. Get creative and make your own healthy treats that are healthy, delicious, and fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make sure that my kids are eating healthy treats during the holidays?
Are healthy Christmas treat ideas for kids easy to make?
What kind of snacks should I avoid giving my kids?
How can I get my kids excited about healthy Christmas treats?
Healthy Christmas treats for kids are easy to make if you are committed to giving them healthy options. With a little creativity and plenty of healthy ingredients, you can create healthy snacks that your kids will love during the holidays!
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