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Make fan food

Make fan food
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Make fan food by preparing simple snack bites like pretzel sticks, mini sandwiches, and fruit skewers to share while practicing safe kitchen skills.

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Step-by-step guide to make fan food

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Easy Snack Recipes For Kids - Fun Snack Food Ideas

What you need
Adult supervision required, bread slices, butter or spread, cheese block or slices, child-safe knife, cutting board, deli meat slices, fruit such as grapes or strawberries, napkins, plate, pretzel sticks, toothpicks or small wooden skewers

Step 1

Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds to make your snacks safe.

Step 2

Gather all Materials Needed and place them on a clean counter so everything is easy to reach.

Step 3

Rinse the fruit under cold running water to clean it.

Step 4

Ask an adult to cut larger fruit into bite-size pieces on the cutting board.

Step 5

Cut the cheese into small cubes using the child-safe knife or ask an adult to help.

Step 6

Cut each bread slice into small squares or fun shapes with a cookie cutter or child-safe knife.

Step 7

Spread a thin layer of butter or spread on half of the small bread pieces.

Step 8

Place cheese and a slice of deli meat on a buttered bread piece and top with another bread piece to make a mini sandwich.

Step 9

Thread two to three fruit pieces onto each toothpick or small skewer to make colorful fruit skewers.

Step 10

Push one pretzel stick into each cheese cube to make crunchy pretzel-cheese bites.

Step 11

Arrange the mini sandwiches pretzel-cheese bites and fruit skewers neatly on a plate for serving.

Step 12

Clean the workspace and put away leftovers with adult help to keep the kitchen tidy.

Step 13

Share your finished creation on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
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Help!?

What can I use instead of toothpicks or small skewers if I can't find them?

If you don't have toothpicks or small skewers, use uncooked spaghetti strands, short pieces of a drinking straw, or ask an adult to pre-thread the fruit as in the 'Thread two to three fruit pieces onto each toothpick' step.

My fruit keeps sliding off the skewers—how can I fix that?

If fruit slides off when you 'thread two to three fruit pieces onto each toothpick', dry the fruit with a paper towel, cut softer fruit into firmer bite-size pieces (like halved grapes or apple wedges), and push the skewer through the thicker side so pieces grip better.

How should I change the steps for toddlers versus older kids?

For toddlers, have an adult complete 'Ask an adult to cut larger fruit' and 'Cut the cheese' while the child spreads butter and threads fruit, and for older kids let them use the child-safe knife to 'Cut each bread slice into small squares or fun shapes' and assemble the mini sandwiches with supervision.

How can we make the snack plates more creative or special?

Personalize the activity by using the 'Cut each bread slice into small squares or fun shapes with a cookie cutter', trying different spreads in the 'Spread a thin layer of butter or spread' step, decorating skewers with small flags, arranging patterns on the plate, and then 'Share your finished creation on DIY.org'.

Watch videos on how to make fan food

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

3 Easy Snacks Kids Can Make | Recipe Compilations | Allrecipes.com

4 Videos

Facts about cooking for kids and kitchen safety

⏰ Perishable snacks with dairy or meat should usually be refrigerated and not left out for more than 2 hours to stay safe.

🍓 Fruit skewers are a colorful, easy way to pack different vitamins — the more colors, the more nutrient variety!

🥨 Pretzels date back to medieval Europe and were sometimes given to children as rewards for learning prayers!

🥪 The sandwich is named after John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, who liked eating meat between bread while playing cards.

🧼 Washing hands with soap for about 20 seconds (sing 'Happy Birthday' twice) helps remove germs before handling food.

How do I make fan food with my child so they help prepare snack bites safely?

To make fan food with your child, set up simple assembly stations: pretzel sticks with dips, mini sandwiches, and fruit skewers. Have them wash hands and choose ingredients. Adults handle any cutting or toasting; children assemble sandwiches, dip pretzels, and thread fruit onto blunt-ended skewers. Use cookie cutters for fun shapes and pre-sliced bread or fruit for safety. Finish by sharing on a platter and talking about flavors and teamwork.

What materials and ingredients do I need to make fan food snack bites with kids?

You'll need simple ingredients and safe tools: pretzel sticks, mini rolls or sliced bread, spreads (butter, cream cheese, hummus), sliced deli meat, cheese, assorted safe fruits (banana, berries, grapes cut in half), blunt-ended skewers or short toothpicks, child-safe plastic knife, cutting board, bowls, plates, napkins, wet wipes, and an adult to supervise. Check for food allergies and avoid choking-size pieces for younger children.

What ages is making fan food suitable for and what tasks can each age do?

This activity suits many ages: toddlers (2–3) can practice picking up and placing pre-cut foods with close supervision; preschoolers (3–5) can assemble simple sandwiches and thread large fruit pieces; school-age kids (6–9) can use child-safe knives with guidance and follow recipes; tweens (10+) can lead prep and plating. Always tailor tasks to fine-motor ability and supervise cutting, skewering, and any hot appliances.

What safety tips should I follow when kids are making fan food?

Always prioritize safety: wash hands, tie back hair, and clear workspace. Cut grapes and cherry tomatoes in half for young children and avoid whole nuts or hard candies. Use blunt-ended skewers or wide toothpicks and supervise skewering; adults handle sharp knives and hot appliances. Keep a first-aid kit nearby, watch for allergy symptoms, and teach proper handwashing and food-handling habits. Remove choking hazards before serving to little ones.
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