10 Fun Summer Recipes for Kids

If you’re looking for some fun summer recipes for kids, you’ve come to the right place!

Keeping kids occupied during the seemingly endless days of summer can be challenging, especially when it comes to finding tasty meals and snacks.

These simple recipes are so easy to make, you might consider letting the kids help you in the kitchen.

That will at least keep them entertained for a while. (Some are specifically designed to allow kids to help.)

Who knows? You could be raising the next Gordon Ramsay, Julia Child, or Emeril Lagasse, and these summers cooking with you could make all the difference in their future careers! 

These recipes are fun, simple to make, and 100% kid-approved.

From traditional grilled cheese and PB&J sandwiches to yogurt parfaits and ice cream in a bag, this list has a little something for every kid.

1. Veggie Faces Pizza

Getting kids to eat their veggies is one of the few things more difficult than keeping them entertained for a solid two months.

These veggie pizzas might just do the trick, though.

For the base, you can use a whole wheat tortilla, pita, or flatbread.

Then, cover the table with everything your little ones need to make their own scary/funny/happy face “pizzas.” 

There are several options for the “pizza sauce,” but try the garlic and herb cream cheese.

As for the veggies, slice and lay out as many as possible.

The more options they have to make ridiculous faces, the more veggies they’ll ultimately consume when they eat their pizzas.

2. Grilled Cheese

I’ve never met a child who didn’t love grilled cheese sandwiches, so this classic was an obvious choice for the list.

With some bread, butter, and cheddar cheese, you can brighten any child’s day.

It’s even great for the winter months, especially when you pair it with a hot bowl of tomato soup. 

I’m not going to lie. I’m a grown woman, and I still eat grilled cheese sandwiches at least once every couple of weeks.

They’re just so ooey, gooey, cheesy, and delicious.

3. Ants on a Log

Ants on a log are another fun way to get your kids interested in “playing” in the kitchen and eating their veggies. 

As with the veggie face pizzas, you’ll have a lot of leeway with the ingredients in this recipe.

Traditionally, you’ll make ants on a log with celery, peanut butter, and raisins.

However, you can mix and match using any of the following combinations:

• Celery, cream cheese, and baby carrots
• Whole carrots, hummus, and nuts
• Cucumbers, cream cheese, and cherry tomatoes
• Apples, yogurt, and blueberries

Or you can come up with a unique combination all on your own.

The possibilities are as limitless as your (and your child’s) imagination.

4. Peanut Butter Sandwich

PB&J’s are another classic sandwich idea for kids of all ages.

Pick your child’s favorite bread, crunchy or creamy peanut butter, and their favorite flavor of jelly.

If you want to make it a bit sweeter for your child, add a swirl of honey in the sandwich, as well. 

5. Hungry Hippos Sandwich

This is a peanut butter sandwich alternative that’s a little healthier and a lot more fun for your kids. 

You’ll use flatbread instead of bread, and be sure you cut out the hippo heads before turning them over to your children to decorate. 

Once you have the heads ready, your kids can help spread the peanut butter and give the hippo its eyes (halved grapes), nose (blueberries), and ears (sliced almonds). 

Be sure you cut all the fruit and dice the almonds, as well.

6. Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie

The next time your child asks for a milkshake on one of those hot summer days, make them one of these five-ingredient smoothies instead.

It’s thick, rich, and creamy, and it tastes so sweet and tasty that your kiddo won’t know the difference.

All you’ll need to make it are two bananas, milk, peanut butter, honey, and ice.

It’s a healthy, protein-packed snack that your kid will love. Add a dash of sea salt, as well, if your little one enjoys sweet and salty.

7. No-Bake Fruit Pizza

You can whip up this no-bake fruit pizza in about 15 minutes. It’s sweet, light, and refreshing, and it’s the ideal summer treat for kids.

There’s no cooking required, and aside from whatever fruit you want to add, it only uses five ingredients.

Just be sure you give it at least 2 hours to chill before serving it. 

8. Yogurt Parfaits

Yogurt parfaits are another phenomenal treat.

They’re so sweet that your children will think they’re getting to eat dessert for breakfast (or whenever you make them). 

Actually, though, they’re not all that unhealthy or bad for them. All the ingredients are natural and relatively healthy.

You’ll add dates, almond butter, honey, coconut oil, vanilla extract, rolled oats, cinnamon, strawberries, bananas, Greek yogurt, almonds, salt, and sunflower seeds. 

You’ll mix some and layer others, and your kid will enjoy every last bite.

9. Graham Cracker Faces

When it comes to children, especially young ones, the more fun they have with their food, the more likely it is that they’ll eat it and enjoy it. 

That’s why dishes like veggie face pizzas and Hungry Hippo sandwiches are so popular.

These graham cracker faces are another exciting activity/snack.

With a few graham crackers, some peanut butter, cream cheese, shredded coconut, and raisins, your little ones can make sweet, Insta-worthy faces that taste incredible and look hilarious.

10. Ice Cream in a Bag

Ice cream in a bag is one part tasty treat, one part science experiment, and one part kitchen adventure. 

All you’ll need are some Ziploc bags and five simple ingredients – sugar, salt, ice, vanilla extract, and half-and-half. 

Your kids will have an absolute blast mixing their ingredients, shaking their bags (in lieu of churning the ice cream), and adding their favorite toppings to their homemade vanilla ice cream.

Even better, they’ll learn a few things and have a yummy treat to enjoy when they’re done.