In the summertime, we crave snacks that are cool, refreshing, and satisfying. I don’t know about you, but most summer days, I want to spend as little amount of time in the kitchen or over a hot stove as humanly possible.

My kids are usually asking for popsicles on repeat, and sometimes, a hot day calls for ice cream for dinner.

I try to get creative with some other summertime-approved snacks that offer my kiddos a more nutrient-dense array of foods, like fresh or frozen fruits and greek yogurt.

Offering any type of snack that is frozen not only gets my kids excited about something cool to eat, but I feel good knowing they’re getting something that will be satisfying and hold them over between meals.

Healthy and Easy Snacks for Kids

Offering your child regular snacks between meals can be a simple way to help optimize their nutrition throughout the day.

Building healthy and easy snacks for kids doesn’t have to be complicated. To begin, keep in mind the nutrients that your child regularly needs to help support their growth and development.

The major macronutrients that your child consistently needs includes:

• Carbohydrates

• Protein

• Healthy fats

Fruits and vegetables can provide your child with a variety of vitamins and minerals, in addition to a boost of fiber to help regulate their digestive system.

Offering snacks that include a combination of these foods can help provide your kids with the fuel they need to keep up their energy levels, support their growth, and keep their blood sugar stable.

This is where these delicious frozen greek yogurt barks come into play. Fruit yogurt barks create a satisfying combination of protein, healthy fats, fiber, and carbohydrates to keep kids’ bodies nourished.

Does your child have a harder time eating meats and/or vegetables? Vegetables are sometimes more difficult for kids to eat, and many parents might be concerned that their child is not getting adequate protein and needed micronutrients that are provided through vegetables.

Offering fruit and greek yogurt in a recipe like this tasty yogurt bark can actually be a fun way to provide your child with similar nutrients that would be eaten in meat or vegetables.

Keep in mind that fruits and veggies have a similar nutrient profile, so if your child has an easier time getting fruits in, this can be a great way for them to get those nutrients and fiber in.

Greek yogurt is also a great source of protein and calcium for growing kids, offering over 12 grams of protein for a ⅔ cup yogurt container. A serving of greek yogurt also provides over 25% of a child’s daily calcium needs, which supports bone growth and health.

Yogurt is also a natural source of probiotics, which are the gut-healthy bacteria that can promote regularity and digestion.

I prefer to opt for the whole fat version of greek yogurt, as this also provides a good source of healthy fat that supports a child’s healthy brain development.

What is Yogurt Bark?

What exactly is frozen yogurt bark?

While it might sound strange, yogurt bark is simply a frozen sheet of yogurt that is mixed with your toppings of choice. Some of the common add-ins that can be included in yogurt bark are:

• Chocolate chips

• Fresh or dried strawberries

• Coconut

• Raisins

• Granola

• Nuts and/or seeds

The best part about making yogurt bark is that you can customize the recipe however you like with whatever toppings you might have on hand.

One of my family’s favorite ingredient combinations for yogurt barks includes strawberries and chocolate chips. Check out this easy recipe below using just 5 ingredients to create a yummy snack that you and your family are guaranteed to enjoy.

How to Make Yogurt Bark

These greek yogurt fruit barks can be an easy breakfast option on a hot summer morning or as a snack between meals.

Prepare a batch ahead of time to store in your freezer for enjoying later.

If you or your kiddos are needing a dairy-free yogurt bark option, swap out the greek yogurt with your favorite alternative, such as a coconut or soy-based yogurt and use dairy-free chocolate chips.

Recipe for Yogurt Bark

Kids Can Help in the Kitchen

This yogurt bark recipe is a perfect opportunity to let your kids help you in the kitchen. Remember that including your kids for any type of food preparation can help build their confidence around food and cooking.

Here are some ways your kids can help you make this recipe:

• Wash and slice strawberries (be sure to use a kid-safe knife and supervise!)

• Measure out the ingredients for the yogurt bark

• Mix yogurt, vanilla, and sweetener together

• Spread out the yogurt on the baking sheet

• Top the yogurt bark with the strawberries and chocolate chips (and maybe sample a few along the way!)

After a couple times of making this recipe together, your kids may feel comfortable enough to make this on their own for the whole family to enjoy (depending on their ages, of course).

Yogurt Bark for Babies

This healthy yogurt bark recipe is a perfect option to share with your baby who is starting solid foods. If you are transitioning your baby to solids with baby-led weaning, yogurt bark can be a great option for introducing dairy.

Studies have found that early introduction of commonly allergenic foods, such as cow’s milk, plays an important role in preventing food allergy in infants. The whole-milk greek yogurt barks can be a delicious way to introduce your baby to cow’s milk while transition to solids with baby-led weaning.

Toddlers and babies that are eating solids enjoy gnawing on these frozen snacks, and yogurt barks can be especially helpful for teething babies who enjoys something cold on their gums.

If you want to make yogurt bark for babies, please be sure to modify this recipe in the following ways:

• Do not use honey to sweeten the yogurt bark base, as babies under one year old should not consume honey. While maple syrup can be used, it’s recommended to skip the sweetener altogether and offer to your baby unsweetened. They will still enjoy the yogurt bark.

• Avoid using “pure” vanilla extract

• Omit chocolate chips or any small toppings that can create a potential choking hazard, such as granola, nuts, or big pieces of fruit

• Be sure strawberries are sliced into pieces your baby can appropriately manage

As you can see, this snack is something the whole family can enjoy - babies, kids, and adults included!

If you need more frozen summertime snack ideas, be sure to check out these refreshing real fruit popsicles.

What are your favorite summer recipes to enjoy with your kids?