Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on fruit recipes for kids.  Not only is fruit healthy, it’s also tasty and versatile. There are sweet fruits, tangy fruits, fleshy and juicy fruits and everything in between. As a parent, your appreciation for fruits rises, but chances are you weren’t really a ‘fruit craving’ kid either.  I have found that if you make food fun, kids will be more receptive to eating it.

Five Fruit Recipes for Kids:

1. Frozen Fruit Bark:

This recipe is yummy, healthy and more exciting than just eating fresh fruit with yogurt.

• Take your favorite fruits such as a combination of strawberries, kiwi, blueberries, mango and a dried fruit of your choice.
• Chop the ingredients in small pieces.
• Layer plain or vanilla yogurt in a bowl.
• Toss chopped fruits and nuts on top of the yogurt, and place them in a container in the freezer.

You can give frozen fruits as snacks to your kids before they head out to play or after they come home from school. Remember that fruits and nuts are packed with minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that keep us thriving and energized. Don’t forget, the yogurt will give your family valuable protein, calcium, and potassium.

2. Quick Banana split:

I can’t decide whether this recipe is more delicious or healthy because it serves both purposes so well. And it’s so simple and quick to prepare!

All you need is a banana, berries of your choice, chocolate chips, granola and your favorite fruit yogurt. I make this treat by slicing the banana in halves along their length first. Then I join the two halves using a few spoonsful of frozen strawberry yogurt. Last, I sprinkle raspberries, blackberries, granola and chocolate chips. Viola! Your snack is ready to serve in minutes!

It’s just like the original banana split without the ice cream or sugary dribbles of processed chocolate syrup. It’s packed with enough nutrition your body needs at a single meal which makes it perfect for breakfast.

3. Rainbow Fruit Popsicles:

Who doesn’t love a cold Popsicle on a hot summer day? The kids can never say no to this mouthwatering delight.

• Take a cup each of frozen strawberries and raspberries, and a medium-sized mango and 2 sliced Kiwis. Puree each of the fruits separately.  Use a little bit of water if needed.
• Pour the first puree of your choice into the Popsicle mold. Place the container in the freezer while remaining ingredients are waiting in the fridge. Once the first puree is 70% set which will be in about 20 minutes, you can add the other pureed fruit and follow the same steps.
• Remember, fruits can be poured in any order, and they don’t need to be frozen solid.  Just make sure that they are more frozen than watery so that the two purees don’t mix.
• After pouring the last ingredient, freeze the popsicles for a few hours to set them rock hard. You can also add tiny fruit chunks, honey or lemon juice in any of the different rainbow layers to take it up a notch.

4. Fruit Roll-ups:

I never knew I could do so many things with fruit until I came across Pinterest. This recipe is a unique and innovative way to use fruit. I love to make my Fruit Roll-ups with peaches, strawberries, blueberries and honey.

Usually, fruits are sweet enough, but I like to top the tanginess of the peach with the heavenly sweetness of honey. Plus, honey is super beneficial for our health too. Try to avoid refined white sugar. You can add more honey, cinnamon powder, vanilla or peppermint extract to give your roll up an extra edge.

Prepare your baking tray first. Grease the butter paper and pour the fruit puree spreading it evenly with a spatula. Also, keep it slightly away from the edges.

Set your oven to the lowest possible setting and check on the fruit after 6-8 hours. We are primarily trying to ‘dry the fruit’ and not cook it. You can roll, cut or use the fruit leather however you like. Lots of creative fruit roll up recipes can be found here.

5. Fruit Jigglers:

It’s not just the kids, adults love Fruit Jigglers too. They are much healthier than packaged Jello.  Most importantly, there are no undesirable sugary ingredients.

• You will need coconut manna, your favorite berries, and gelatin for this recipe. It is scrumptious while working or watching TV.
• Next, blend your favorite berries with Coconut Manna, water and a pinch of sea salt. Take half a cup of the mixture and set it aside.
• Heat the remaining mix in a pot and let it simmer for 5 minutes before turning the stove off.
• Add gelatin to the mixture you set aside and stir thoroughly or whisk.
• Slowly add the hot mixture to the cold mixture and keep whisking.  Blend the entire mixture in a food processor.
• Last, pour the fruit mixture into ice cube trays and refrigerate for an hour. You can then enjoy fruit Jigglers with your kids. They are also the perfect finger food for babies 8 months and older.

You will find plenty of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals in fruit.  So, which of these healthy recipes would you try first?