Easy Recipes You Can Make with Your Kids This Summer

Summer is upon us, and with the kids having to stay indoors due to new normal restrictions, most parents might be running out of ideas on how to keep them busy and entertained.

Bonding with our kids in these uncertain times has been more meaningful than ever, and being able to spend more time with them means coming up with new activities that will help shape their young minds. Many of us have unlocked certain skills, so why not teach our kids a few easy-to-prepare dishes perfect for summer?

Not only will you be able to have some quality time together, but your little ones will also learn how to take responsibility when you assign them specific tasks in the kitchen. Cooking together will also give them confidence in identifying objects and improve their motor skills when they take part in mixing or carrying ingredients.

We’ve compiled some easy recipes that require less than 10 ingredients, most of which you may already have at home. These are also easy to prepare, with little to no cooking needed!

Get busy and have some fun in the kitchen with your kids while beating the summer heat!

Frozen Banana Cereal Pops

This easy-to-make snack will be a great bonding activity with your child, and a new way for them to enjoy cereal.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup yogurt, your preferred flavor
2 cups of your preferred cereal
4 medium bananas, peeled and cut crosswise in half
8 wooden pop sticks

Directions:

1. Place yogurt and cereal in separate shallow bowls. Insert pop sticks through the cut side of the bananas. 
2. Dip bananas in yogurt, then roll in cereal to coat. Transfer to waxed paper-lined baking sheets.
3. Freeze for one hour or until firm Transfer to airtight freezer containers and return pops to the freezer.

Ice Cream Jell-O

Let your child’s imagination run wild with this rainbow-inspired dessert. You may use other flavors and have fewer or more layers than this recipe. Sky’s the limit!

Ingredients:
1 (90 ml) package cherry Jell-O
1 (90 ml) package lemon Jell-O 
1 (90 ml) package lime Jell-O 
1 (90 ml) package orange Jell-O
1⁄2 gallon vanilla ice cream, divided into 4

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix 1 cup of boiling water with the cherry Jell-O and stir.
2. Add 1/4 of the vanilla ice cream and use a whisk to whip with the dissolved Jell-O.
3. Let set in a clear 9x13-inch pan for 15 minutes or until set.
4. Do the same for the rest of the Jell-O, letting each layer set on top of the other.
5. Store in the refrigerator once done.

Quick Icebox Sandwiches

This may require a bit more work than the previous recipes, but you will definitely enjoy building each sandwich with your child. You can even do some Math by counting the pieces you will get to make.

Ingredients:
1 package (100 ml) instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups cold whole milk
2 cups whipped topping
1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
24 whole graham crackers, halved

Directions:

1. Mix pudding and milk according to package directions; refrigerate until set. Fold in whipped topping and chocolate chips.
2. Place 24 graham cracker halves on a baking sheet; top each with about 3 tablespoons filling. Place another graham cracker half on top.
3. Wrap individually in plastic. Freeze until firm, about 1 hour. Serve sandwiches frozen.

Chocolate-Hazelnut Fruit Pizza

Nothing beats the combination of fresh fruits and chocolate! Feel refreshed and indulge your sweet tooth at the same time with this fruit pizza. You can also substitute the fruits with whatever you have available.

Ingredients:
1 whole wheat tortilla (8 inches)
2 tablespoons Nutella
3 to 4 fresh strawberries, sliced
1/2 medium firm banana, peeled and sliced
1/2 medium kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced

Directions:

1. Spread tortilla with Nutella. Arrange fruits over the top. Cut into 4 wedges. Serve immediately.

Mini S’mores

Here’s something that you and your child can do together especially since it needs adult supervision. You will have fun putting together these mini S’mores and having a piece or two along the way.

Ingredients:
2 cups milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 package (425 ml) graham crackers, quartered
1 cup marshmallow creme
2 cartons (200 ml each) milk chocolate for dipping

Directions:

1. Place chocolate chips in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. 
2. Pour over chocolate; stir with a whisk until smooth. Cool to room temperature or until mixture reaches spreading consistency, about 10 minutes.
3. Spread chocolate mixture over half of the graham crackers. Spread marshmallow creme over remaining graham crackers. Place over chocolate-covered crackers, pressing to adhere.
4. Melt dipping chocolate according to package directions. Dip each s'more halfway into dipping chocolate; allow excess to drip off.
5. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets; let stand until dipping chocolate is set.

Banana Split Smoothies
The blender will do most of the work in this recipe, but you and your child can work together in choosing and preparing the ingredients. You can even decorate the smoothies with more bananas or pineapple!

Ingredients:
2 medium bananas, peeled and quartered
1 can (240 ml) unsweetened crushed pineapple
1 cup vanilla yogurt
1 cup crushed ice
1/2 cup orange juice

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a blender; cover and process until blended. Serve immediately.

No-Churn Blueberry Graham Cracker Ice Cream
What’s more exciting than eating ice cream? Making your own! Your kids will surely enjoy swirling the blueberry mixture in the ice cream, and they’ll be excited to see how it will look like when it freezes. You can substitute blueberries with other fruits or even add more that are readily available.

Ingredients
3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
4 whole graham crackers, coarsely crushed

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, combine blueberries, sugar, and vanilla. Bring to a boil; reduce heat.
2. Simmer until mixture begins to thicken, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Cool completely. Refrigerate until chilled.
3. In a large bowl, beat cream until soft peaks form. Add condensed milk; beat until mixture thickens.
4. Gently fold graham crackers into the cream mixture. Transfer to freezer containers, allowing headspace for expansion.
5. Drop blueberry mixture by tablespoonfuls over ice cream. Cut through ice cream with a knife to swirl. Freeze for 8 hours or overnight before serving.

This year’s summer heat is no joke, so it’s best to keep cool with these easy recipes that will spark children’s creativity and give you more quality time together.
 

Reference

About The Writer

Michelle Caligan

Michelle has been part of the digital media industry since 2008, both as a writer and editor. She has produced articles on entertainment, travel, food, pop culture, and other lifestyle topics for various travel websites, blogs, and magazines.

Aside from traveling, Michelle is also into K-pop and hopes to visit South Korea again after the pandemic.
 

The views and opinions expressed by the writer are his/her own, and do not state or reflect those of Wyeth Nutrition and its principals.