Fun Seasonal Snacks: 7 Healthy Holiday Treats for Kids

As we’re in the midst of the holiday season, odds are that you’re either planning to host a holiday dinner for your friends and family or you’ll be attending a gathering with loved ones. Each year, my family hosts a Christmas party that requires days and days of cooking healthy, nutritious (and delicious!) food.

But the days leading up to the party can be a little hectic—with lots of prep work and hours upon hours spent in the kitchen. Now, it’s no secret that I love spending time in the kitchen with my kids, so I like to invite them in to join me as much as possible. After all, they’re still young and we don’t get this time back. So, when we’re in the kitchen together during this time of year, I take the opportunity to teach them how to make healthy holiday treats for kids. They’re nutritious, tasty, and so much fun to make! Take a look at my top seven favorite healthy holiday treats for kids and get your little ones in on the fun this holiday season.

[H2] 7 Healthy Holiday Treats for Kids

1. Nut Butter Celery Reindeer

These fun reindeer-inspired celery sticks are a fun twist on the timeless “ants on a log” kids’ snack and one of my favorite healthy holiday treats for kids. Personally, I like to use nutritious, protein-packed almond butter for my filling. Topping each with two gluten-free pretzel pieces, a raspberry, and edible googly eyes (or even just two raisins) will leave your kids singing Rudolph’s anthem all evening long.

2. Grinch Fruit Kabobs

There’s nothing like making these little festive treats and then sitting down to watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas. To make these cute kabobs, just stack a green grape, slice of banana, a strawberry, and a marshmallow onto a toothpick. (Note: You can find dairy-free, gluten-free marshmallows on Amazon, if desired.)

 3. Apple Christmas Tree

For a quick, easy, and nutritious snack, I love to serve up these Christmas tree-inspired snacks. All you need is a Granny Smith apple and a gluten-free pretzel stick. For a little festive kick, you can even add some raspberries and blueberries as “ornaments.” You could also sub out the apple slices for some avocado slides! (Bonus: They’re also a fun and quick snack to serve year-round.)

4. Holly Jolly Santa Waffles

This snack also serves as a fun Christmas morning breakfast option—and it’s one of the most fun healthy holiday treats for kids that I make! I like to use Van’s gluten-free waffles and top them with sliced bananas, strawberries, two blueberries for eyes, and a raspberry for Santa’s cherry-colored nose. It’s quick, easy, and nutritious!

 5. Rudolph Applesauce

If you’re tasked with providing a holiday treat for your kids’ classes, this Rudolph Applesauce idea may work for you. All you’ll need are some organic applesauce cups, googly eyes, gold pipe cleaners, and small red jingle bells.

6. Strawberry Santas

These fun Santa treats are quick, easy, and quite tasty—making them great healthy holiday treats for kids! Simply slice up some strawberries and fill them with coconut whipped cream. For a little extra touch, you can give Santa some eyes with cocoa nibs. Your kids will love this sweet treat and you’ll love that it only contains all-natural sugars in place of the unhealthier options out there.

7. Reindeer Food

This maple-almond granola with dried fruit is a fun and healthy twist on the timeless reindeer food usually made with rolled oats and sprinkles. Filled with granola, dried apricots, and dried cranberries, your kids can dish out some for Santa’s reindeer on Christmas Eve and snack on some themselves while opening gifts to keep them full and satisfied.