Kid's Activity: Kid-Friendly Appetizers
by Melissa Jaramillo and Julie Snyder
Whether you are entertaining a crowd for a Super Bowl Party or having a celebration fit for just your family, kids love to be included in the process! Here are a few kid-tested and approved recipes that can be prepared ahead of time (i.e. plenty of time to clean up the mess!) Enjoy!
Pigs in a blanket
• 1 package of hot dogs (may substitute 'lil smokies)
• 2 cans of crescent rolls (refrigerated dough)
• Favorite cheese sliced (optional)
Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Cut hot dogs into thirds. Wrap hot dog pieces (or "lil smokie) with cheese. Next wrap in sections of dough. Place on cookie sheet with fold face down. Bake on middle rack for 10 - 15 minutes until golden.
(Serves 4 - 6).
Super Easy Quesadillas
• Soft shell tacos (10)
• Refried Beans (1 can)
• Shredded Mexican or taco cheeses
• 1 ½ - 2 lbs. Hamburger scrambled up, cooked, & drained. taco seasoning optional)
• Sour cream, black olives, green chilies, salsa, or whatever you like!
Spread approximately one tablespoon refried beans on each taco shell. If using hamburger, spoon it over the beans. Next sprinkle on cheeses. Place on baking pan on lowest rack of oven. Broil for approximately 5 minutes or until cheese is bubbling. Remove from oven and add any additional ingredients desired. Cut into sections using a pizza cutter.
Party Mix
• 1 pound mixed nuts
• 1 pound peanuts
• 6 ounces pretzel sticks
• 6 ounces mini pretzels
• 10½ ounces toasted oat cereal
• 6½ ounces crispy rice cereal mini squares
• 1½ cups puffed wheat cereal
• 2 cups of vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon garlic salt
• 1 tablespoon seasoning salt
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
Preheat oven to 225° Fahrenheit. Lightly grease bottom only of large roasting pan. Combine all nuts, pretzels and cereals in bowl. In a separate bowl combine remaining ingredients. Pour mixture over dry mixture and stir until evenly coated. Spread in prepared pan. Bake on middle oven rack for 1• - 2 hours until crispy. Stir every 15 minutes.
Fruit and Veggie Platter
• Seedless grapes
• Apple wedges (brush with lemon juice to prevent browning)
• Strawberries
• Celery sticks
• Carrot bites
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Optional: other favorite fruits and vegetables cut into bite sized pieces
Have child arrange fruits on one side and veggies on the other. Serve with favorite onion dip, chocolate sauce, or try ranch dressing and caramel! Yum!
Julie Snyder is a mom of six, interested in kids, pregnancy, birth, people and lives in the outlying Seattle area. Melissa Jaramillo is mom to many. She's passionate about building, encouraging, and strengthening families on this adventure known as parenthood!
Copyright © Melissa Jaramillo and Julie Snyder. Permission to republish granted to Pregnancy.org, LLC.
