Mixed Up Garden Snacks

More About This Recipe

• Whenever I chat with my mom friends, there’s one topic that seems to always come up: “Does anyone have ideas to get kids to eat more fruits & vegetables?” In our family, my kids like mysteries and adventures.  So, if I make healthy eating a game, they will jump right in and gobble up whatever I’m serving. 
  
  One afternoon, I “planted” a little mixed up garden for each of them and they ate every single thing—even the bean sprouts! This is such a great snack because you can put it together in minutes but will score seriously “cool mom/aunt/grandma/neighbor” points with the kiddos. 
  
  The Mixed-Up Garden cards are free for you to download and print. Just click here!
  
  Here's the idea:
  
  The seeds got all mixed up in the garden this year and now the rabbit doesn't know what has grown in the garden! The kids can help eat the yummy treats and help the rabbit find out what they are. They dig in each hole, nibble the food, and decide what it is, using taste, smell, and sight to figure out the mystery.
  
  To assemble your snacks, grab mini muffin tins (I found disposable ones at our local store) and fill with your favorite fruits and veggies.  You could also use regular muffin tins if you have them on hand.
  
  Cover with a sheet of green tissue paper and tape down to secure. Two layers of tissue works best (just fold a piece in half) so no one can peek!
  
  Print the Mixed Up Garden cards, fold in half, and place with the muffin tin. Let the kids "dig" and discover what yummy treats are in the "garden"!
  
  How cute would these be for a play-date party or for a healthy preschool snack?!
  
  Click here for the Mixed Up Garden Snacks recipe.
  
  Click here for the free printable Mixed Up Garden cards.
  
  What are your favorite ways to get finicky kids to eat their fruits and veggies?  We want to hear them!
  
  Mandy Heaston is a busy mom, gourmet cook — and opera singer! Look for Mandy’s posts on Tablespoon, and check her member profile often to see what she’s cooking up.