Back Yard Bug Snacks

Yesterday my son and I were counting down how many days until summer break. There are only 5 days left! Gasp. This mama is so ready to skip the morning hurry-out-the-door routine. After that conversation though I started thinking about what activities I could plan to make summer break special.  I am pretty sure there will be some Colorado hiking, some water park trips and of course…special snacks! I do have two boys and they love finding bugs.  So my Back Yard Bug Snacks would be perfect for them or any bug lover.

Let’s start with those nutty Butterflies. Slice a few celery sticks, fill with peanut butter and top with some pretzels. Finish it off with a few eyes to make these flying bugs complete.

Who doesn’t love a sweet caterpillar? This crawling bug is simply made with a wood skewer, some grapes, two candy eyes and a little icing gel. Love that smile! 😉

And of course, every back yard has a ladybug or two. A cracker topped with provolone cheese holds a cherry tomato with a black olive and a few candy eyes. I speckled the tomatoes with icing gel. Tip: If you don’t think the sweetness would compliment this snack you could always use an edible black marker instead.

I have to confess that out of all the Back Yard Bug snacks, the ladybugs are my favorite. They’re so cute!

All are great for “sneaking” more fruits and vegetables into your little ones diet. (Your kids will never know.) They’ll just be thinking about how their mom is so cool because she lets them eat bugs! 😉

Here’s to a super fun Summer and many happy bug snacks!

 

Back Yard Bug Snacks

Prep Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:

For Butterflies

• celery stalks
• peanut butter
• mini pretzels
• candy eyes

For Caterpillar

• grape
• wooden skews
• candy eyes
• icing gel or edible black marker

For Ladybug

• crackers
• cheese
• grape tomatoes
• black olives
• candy eyes
• icing gel or edible black marker

Directions:

For Butterfly

Rinse and cut your celery into 3-4 inch slices. Apply peanut butter into the middle and insert two mini pretzels. Then add two candy eyes.

For Caterpillar

Rinse and dry about 20 grapes. Carefully skew the grapes. Using the icing gel, draw a smile. Then add two candy eyes.

For Ladybug

Use your cracker as a guide to size your cheese. Place the cheese on top of the cracker. Cut grape tomato almost in half, leaving a tiny connection at one end. Open and lay flat on the cheese. Cut a black olive in half and place upside down at top of the tomato. Place the eyes in side the black olive and add the spots with icing gel.

Oh! If you’re looking for a summer schedule…be sure and check out mine here. It’s has some great ideas to keep your kids entertained and you from going insane! 😉 I also offer a blank printable so you can create your own.