Food-Based Adventures To Keep Kids Busy This Summer

Image description: A family with two adults and two children sit on a picnic blanket on the grass. They are smiling at one another. There is a basket with bread, juice, and flowers. There are croissants, fruit, and flowers on the blanket.

Summer is an active time where kids want to play and explore new things. Incorporating food activities is a great way to keep kids engaged, build their cooking skills, and stay hydrated and full with nutritious foods. Here is a list of food-related activities that kids can enjoy during this summer:

Fruit Picking: 

Fruit picking is a fun activity that teaches kids where food comes from and supports local farms. There are many kinds of fruits that can be picked throughout the summer. In and around New York, fruits ripe for picking include strawberries, blueberries, apples, and peaches. 

Smoothie Making: 

With the abundance of fresh fruits available in the summer, making smoothies is a no brainer! Encourage kids to create their own delicious smoothies using a variety of fresh fruits, yogurt, and ice. Encourage experimenting with different combinations to change the color, texture, and taste of smoothies. P.S. Adding leafy greens like spinach or kale will add nutrition but mostly not affect the flavor. If your kids are feeling brave, have them give it a try!

Homemade Popsicles:

Similar to smoothies, homemade popsicles are easy to make, versatile, and delicious. You can use popsicle molds or even ice cube trays with sticks or toothpicks as handles. When making homemade popsicles, consider adding sliced fruit, like strawberries, or keeping fruit whole, like blueberries, in your popsicles. Not only do sliced and whole pieces of fruit look nice inside of the smoothie, but they add texture which many kids enjoys. 

Outdoor Picnics: 

Summertime is about being outdoors, soaking in the sun, and admiring nature. Plan a picnic and encourage your child to participate in the planning of it. Have them decide on what snacks to make like sandwiches, fruit salad, and homemade cookies.

Salad Bar Creations: 

Hot weather can suppress our appetite or make it difficult to eat heavy or hot food. Salads can be a good meal if you’re looking to avoid the stove, but want something tasty and nutritious. Plan a salad bar with your child that consists of various vegetables, fruits, and toppings. Children can practice their cutting skills by slicing and dicing and use their creativity to create interest salad combinations. 

Ice Cream Sundae Bar: 

Looking for something a bit sweeter than a salad bar? Try an ice cream sundae bar instead! Set up an ice cream sundae station with various ice cream flavors, toppings like sprinkles, chocolate sauce, fruits, and whipped cream. Kids can build their own sundaes and enjoy the sweet treats. 

Lemonade Stand: 

Lemonade is a popular, refreshing, summer drink. Hosting a lemonade stand can be a fun way to meet your neighbors. Try experimenting with your lemonade recipe, like adding lime, ginger, or lavender. You can also play around with sugar and lemon juice ratios to test your family on whether they prefer things more on the sweet or acidic side.

Outdoor Grill: 

Most people use the grill midday for lunch or dinner, but consider changing it up and grilling breakfast or dessert! You can grill breakfast sausage and potatoes, french toast s’mores, and more. Involve kids in preparing and cooking the foods with close supervision. They can assist in skewering vegetables, marinating meats, and flipping food on the grill.  

Gardening: 

Teaching kids where food comes from and how it grows is a valuable learning experience. Growing a garden at home allows for endless summer fun, like planting seeds, watching flowers grow, and harvesting. If you don’t have access to an outdoor garden space, there are many indoor gardening alternatives like growing on a windowsill or using a hydroponics system. If gardening at home doesn’t sound feasible, visit your local community garden! Community gardens are always looking for volunteers and many share their harvest. 

These summer food based activities will not only keep kids (and their caregivers) engaged and entertained, but also teach them about different foods, flavors, and basic kitchen skills. Remember to supervise them appropriately and consider their age and skill level when having them participate tasks.