Butterfly Bounty

I saw these Butterfly snacks in Family Fun magazine and thought they were such a cute, simple way to serve a snack to your children's classroom or at a birthday party. The bags can be filled with any snack, though a mix that offers a blend of colors and shapes makes for a more interesting butterfly.

Materials

• Clothespins
• Glitter glue
• Glue
• Googly eyes

• Small crackers, dried fruit, trail mix, or your choice of snack items
• Snack-size ziplock bags
• Pipe cleaners

Instructions

1. For each bag, decorate one side of a clothespin (we used glitter glue). Glue two small googly eyes near the gripping end of the clothespin and let the glue dry.
2. Put small crackers, dried fruit, trail mix, or whatever else you'd like into a snack-size ziplock bag until it's about half full. Seal the bag, cinch the middle with your fingers, and clip it with the clothespin.
3. Fold down the tips of a 4-1/2-inch length of pipe cleaner, then bend the entire piece in half. Clip the pipe cleaner in the clothespin.

Carrot Patch Snack

This is a cute, healthy snack to send to school for the annual Easter Party. 
Ingredients:
Hummus, Ranch Dip or other thick dip
Baby Carrots
Parsley
Clear, 3 oz. plastic cups 
Small terra cotta pots (need to be big enough to hold cups)

Instructions
For each patch, spoon about 3 tablespoons of dip into plastic cups. Place four baby carrots for each cup and use a toothpick to poke a hole in the top of each one. Insert a sprig of parsley into each hole. Then "plant" the carrots in the dip. Place the cups in mini terra-cotta pots. 
Optional: Provide a pack of carrot seeds so that the students can take the pots home and start their own carrot patch. 

Original Idea and Picture compliments of Family Fun

Yummy Pilgrim Hats

As a former teacher, I used to love to have "my kids" make cute themed snacks.  This one was always a big hit. 
Ingredients:

24 chocolate-striped shortbread cookies

12-ounce package of chocolate chips

24 marshmallows 

tube of yellow decorators' frosting

Instructions:

Set the chocolate-striped cookies stripe side down on a wax-paper , spacing them well apart. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave, periodically stirring.  One at a time, stick a wooden toothpick into a marshmallow, dip the marshmallow into the melted chocolate, and promptly center it atop a cookie. Using a second toothpick to lightly hold down the marshmallow, carefully pull out the first toothpick. Chill the hats until the chocolate sets, then pipe a yellow decorators' frosting buckle on the front of each hat.

Alternative:  Use Reese's Peanut Butter Cups instead of marshmallows.  You will only need about 1/4 cup of melted chocolate chips.  Dip the top (wide part) of Reese's in chocolate and place on cookie. and finish as above.

Picture from Family Fun

Thanksgiving Blessing Mix

This is a snack mix designed just for Thanksgiving, with each little treat symbolizing a different aspect of the Thanksgiving holiday. When I came across this on The Kitchn blog I thought this would make a great gift to give your guest or hostess for Thanksgiving.
Note:  If I knew how to add an attachment to this post I would have attached a copy of the card. If you post a comment with your email I will send it you.

Granola Bites

I have to bring  snack for my sons soccer team on Saturday and thought I would makethese granola bites. These nutritious little balls are easy to make in large quanities and will give them a boost of energy at halftime.  They are so easy to make and make a great afternoon snack, a special treat in a lunchbox or anytime you need a little extra energy. 
Ingredients
2 bananas
1 cup peanut butter (I prefer chunky)
1 cup of Rice Krispies, wheat germ or old fashioned rolled oats
Coating options: mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, powdered sugar or cocoa powder

Instructions

In a medium bowl, mash together the banana and the peanut butter.
Stir in cereal choice. Roll individual tablespoons of the mixture into balls, then roll the balls in one, or a mix, of the coatings listed above. Chill until firm.
*You might find it easier to chill the balls first then roll in the mix.
Makes about 30 balls.

Note: I have never tried this but I bet you could substitute the peanut butter for Nutella. Sounds yummy to me.

Picture courtesy of Joy of Baking