Nut-Free Treats for the Whole Class

These days, kids have a variety of allergies or food sensitivities which can make bringing in a treat for the whole class challenging. Nut allergies are big on the list. Here are some nut-free snack options the kids will love and nobody will miss the nuts. In fact, they’ll go nuts over them!

Banana Crème Roll-ups

Kids love finger foods and these banana crème roll-ups are so simple to make and share. Simply take a small whole wheat or white flour tortilla, spread a thin layer of sour cream or cream cheese all over it, sprinkle with cinnamon and a dash of sugar and lay out thin slices of banana across the center. Roll up, slice in half, and you’ve got a fun and healthy treat that’s nut-free. You can try variations such as adding raisins, chocolate chips, or strawberry jam. The class will go bananas over this easy-to-eat delight.

Savory “Ants on a Log”

The original “ants on a log” uses peanut butter, which is a no-no for our nut-free snack list. So how about something savory? Take some celery stalks and fill the middles with hummus spread or cream cheese. You can even experiment with other bean dips too. Top that with some herbs and spices, diced up veggies, or crushed pretzels. The kids will devour these at snack time, and they’ll be getting a healthy veggie snack you’ll feel good about. Get ready to crunch!

Applesauce “Sundaes”

Applesauce, especially the kind in the individual cups, is easy to transport and is just the right size for little mouths. You can make the healthy treat even more fun with a variety of tasty toppings the kids can put on themselves. Place out bowls of toppings such as raisins, dry cereal, marshmallows, chocolate chips, and cinnamon sugar. The kids will feel like it’s an ice cream parlor, but with the new twist of applesauce instead of ice cream. Experiment with new toppings every time and the kids will love trying new combinations.

Homemade Frozen Fruit Pops

Kids love something cool, but lots of store-bought ice pops are full of sugar. Try making your own in an ice cube tray. Fill each section with some natural fruit juice of your choice, and inside each one, drop a few blueberries or chopped up strawberries. You can also try making a fruit puree in the blender and freezing that in the tray. Simply use a sturdy toothpick or small wooden stick for the kids to be able to hold the treat. Stick that in when the pop is about halfway frozen so it stays upright. Nearly every fruit works, and the kids will enjoy the variety of chilled popsicles.

What are your kids’ favorite nut-free treats? Let us know! For more fun articles like this, visit All My Children daycare.

By: Melissa A. Kay

Healthy Recipe Swaps Your Kids Will Never Know You Made

Parents know it can be difficult to get kids to eat healthfully. With all the TV commercials advertising fast food, candy, sugary cereals, and other not-so-good-for-us treats, it’s no wonder Brussels sprouts aren’t what kids are asking for. There’s hope though, and you can sneak some healthy ingredients into foods your kids will actually eat and love! Try these 4 simple swaps to include nutritious ingredients into everyday recipes. Your kids will never know the difference, and you’ll feel good about feeding them something healthy.

Use Unsweetened Applesauce Instead of Oil

Who needs all that excess fat and grease? Use the same amount of unsweetened applesauce to replace the oil in your favorite muffins, cakes, and other baked goods. Not only does applesauce add a nice, sweet flavor, but the serving of fruit you’ll be providing your kids is much healthier than oil. The kids will never know you’ve made the swap, and you’ll know they’ve gotten their “apple a day”! Try applesauce in place of sugar in recipes too, just reduce the amount of liquid in the batter.

Greek Yogurt as “Mayo”

We use mayonnaise all the time… in tuna salad, cole slaw, as a condiment on cold cut sandwiches, in macaroni salad, and so many more dishes. All that fat is unnecessary for our kids. Make your meals healthier my using thick, rich Greek yogurt wherever you’d use mayo. Not only is it so smooth and fresh, but it packs a wallop of protein and calcium which your kids need to grow strong. You can even add some herbs and spices to liven up the yogurt for an extra zing. The kids will never realize you’ve replaced their mayo and you’ll know their lunches are healthier than ever.

Seltzer with Fruit vs. Soda

There’s simply nothing positive about giving our kids sugary soda. However, they can still enjoy that fizzy sensation with a healthier twist. Try adding sliced fruit and a small amount of fruit juice to plain seltzer water, and the kids will be satisfied. You can even add a few drops of food coloring to create a similar appearance to the drinks they are used to. If they claim their new beverage isn’t as sweet as the soda they’ve grown accustomed to, add a few sprinkles of a natural sugar-free sweetener like Stevia. You can even use a bit of regular sugar and your new drink will still have way less sugar than the sodas they’ve been sipping in the past.

Cauliflower for Potatoes

Lots of kids won’t even try cauliflower. Who can blame them? It looks funny and has an unusual consistency. However, when you steam and mash cauliflower and add a little salt, pepper and a tiny amount of butter or low-fat sour cream, the kids will swear they are eating mashed potatoes. The end result looks just like a heap of mashed potatoes, but the veggies in your creation will have the kids none the wiser. Try a half and half recipe of potatoes and cauliflower at first and then go for the full-on change. Everyone will be asking for seconds.

Have you tried any food swaps? Tell us! For more info like this, check out the All My Children website.

By: Melissa A. Kay

Speed Up the Morning Routine

No matter how hard we try, it always seems that the mornings before work or school become a race against the clock. By prepping beforehand, you can get the kids and yourself out the door stress-free and on time. Try these three simple strategies to make the morning the peaceful time it was meant to be.

Lay Out Clothing the Night Before

Who has time to scramble for matching socks and a stain-free blouse first thing in the morning? If you pick out your outfit (and the kids’ too) the night before, you’ll have more time to select a put-together look and be ready for morning. If your kids are picky, give them a few selections to choose from so they feel they’ve had a say in the matter. If you really want to go for it, pick out all the weekday outfits on Sunday night, and you’re good to go for the full week! Being organized, even when it comes to clothing reduces stress. Plus, you’ll likely notice your drawers and closets remain tidy!

Make Breakfast a Snap

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so it’s a necessary part of the morning routine. That doesn’t mean it needs to take up too much prep time. You can prepare tasty and healthy breakfast options the night before and simply pop them in the microwave in the A.M. Try a breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs, cheese, and chopped veggies all tucked into a whole wheat tortilla. You can also make French Toast the night before and heat it up with some sweet maple syrup in the morning. Or, go for something belly-filling with crockpot oatmeal, chock full of dried fruits, seeds, and nuts which can simmer overnight. The kids will appreciate a break from cold cereal and breakfast bars!
Speed Up the Beauty Routine

We all want to look our best, but you can still look great and even have the kids look well put together with a simpler get-ready program. Try to wash everyone’s hair the night before. That way, you can quickly style in the morning, throw hair up into a bun or ponytail, or even braid it overnight to release stylish waves come morning. Try to minimize your makeup by only using what will make a difference in your overall look. If you have tired eyes, a swipe of mascara makes the biggest punch. Leave off all that eye shadow and liner if you are short on time. A swipe of lip gloss livens up your face more than you think. Before you do a full face, try popping the lips first. Moisturize your skin (and let the kids do so too) before bedtime and you will all awaken with soft, smooth skin.

With these simple tips, you won’t be pressed for time before a hectic day. You may even have a few extra minutes to sit with the kids and talk about the day ahead, giving them encouragement for a positive outlook! Do you have some time-saving ideas to share with the community?

Read more tips like these at All My Children.

By: Melissa A. Kay

5 Fun Indoor Activities When It’s Cold Outside

Who wants to go outside when it’s freezing? And why should you when you and your kids can have just as much fun playing inside while feeling warm and cozy! These 5 ideas for indoor activities with the kids may make the snowman a little jealous, but you’ll be having so much fun, he’ll understand (and probably wish he could join you!).

Try Indoor Camping You’ve heard of camping in the great outdoors, but the wintertime chill makes it close to impossible. Why not take the fun of camping right into your own living room? You can purchase a kid’s tent online or even create your own by cleverly pinning bed sheets to the tops of chairs and the sofa. Snuggle inside with the whole family and tell stories with a flashlight in the dark. The family pet can even join you. The best part? Make some s’mores!

Bake Something Sweet Ahhhh… the smell of chocolate chip cookies rising in the oven or the mouth-watering aroma of a loaf of banana bread puts any thoughts of the cold weather in the back of your mind. Kids love to participate in baking, and depending on their age, there’s a role for everyone. Even the littlest child can help stir the batter or help with scooping. Baking memories will last a lifetime even if the sweets only last a few minutes! Write down the recipe and make copies for your child to take to their daycare or school. The staff at All My Children encourage sharing and working together. Preparing snacks together is a great way to collaborate.

Make it a Movie Day When it’s too chilly to get the whole family out the door and to the local theater, bring the fun of film to your own living room. Let the kids vote on their favorite flick from a group you’ve approved of and cuddle on the couch with a big family-size bowl of popcorn. Since you’ll be stuck inside all day, you can probably get to watching a few movies. The kids won’t even miss getting outdoors as they enter into fantasy land on the TV screen.

Hold a Mini Fashion Show Kids love dressing up, so why not make it even more fun? You can be the MC of a kids’ fashion show right in your own home. Let the kids pull out all their favorite looks, including costumes, and even a few of your scarves and hats. They’ll feel like stars as they “walk the catwalk” right down the hallway of your home. Play some fun music and let the kids strut their stuff.

Create Crafts Kids love to use their imagination and what better way to show off their talents than by creating some unique crafts. As they are cozied up indoors, looking out the frosty windows can provide inspiration. It’s fun to draw snowmen, snow angels, and snow-covered trees. If you have some glitter, let the kids add some winter sparkle to their creations. Surprise grandma and grandpa by sending them the kids’ works of art as a special gift they’ll always treasure. Day Care Centers and schools like All My Children cultivate curiosity and creativity. Have your child bring in her creation to share during show and tell. With these fun ideas, kids will want the winter to last forever. Luckily it won’t, but while it lasts, it’s important to make the most of it.

What do you do with the kids when you’re stuck inside? Share with us!

Read more about topics like this, advice for your growing family, to hear from parents like you, and more at All My Children.

Author: Melissa A. Kay