A Is for Ants-Go-Munching
Your kids are going to LOVE this fun and colorful snack idea!
Like most of our ABC Snacks, this one pairs healthy yet yummy eating with a hands-on recipe that preschoolers can help create. Include foods from every food group and Appetizing Ants-Go-Munching can become a tasty lunch instead of just a snack.
The built-in flexibility of this snack makes it a great one for children with allergies and food sensitivities. There’s plenty of room for creativity—and of course, there’s lots of room for fun.
Nobody likes to have uninvited guests at a picnic, but this is one lunch that won’t be ruined by the ants!
Appetizing Ants-Go-Munching
Here’s what you’ll need to make this snack for one child:
- Muffin tin with six compartments
- Six kid-friendly food options: lunch meat, mac-n-cheese, cheese slices or cubes, carrot sticks, celery sticks, ranch dip, peanut butter, apple slices, grapes, berries, cookies, apple sauce, pudding, pretzel sticks, etc.
- Ants: any small, dark food like raisins, craisins, sunflower seeds, mini chocolate chips, blueberries, etc.
Directions:
- Place a muffin liner in each compartment of the muffin tin.
- Fill each compartment with a single food option.
- Create a munching army of ants using the ant of your choice from the list above. Make sure your ants munch their way through all your food options.
Variations:
- Be creative! Any food can be substituted for the foods suggested above.
- This recipe can easily be altered to fit special food needs and personal preferences.
Teaching Tips
- As you and your child arrange your army of ants, practice saying /ă/–/ă/–appetizing ants together.
- Can your preschooler create the letter A out of your imaginary ants?
- Sing the traditional “Ants Go Marching” song together as you work. Here’s a book that might help.
- Download ABC Snacks: Tips for Working on Pre-Reading Skills for more teaching tips.
Want More Snacks for Letter A?
Find snacks for letter A and more with the ABC Snacks Cookbooks series that includes more than 40 snack recipes for your preschoolers!
Chynna Ambriz
says:Looks fun & tasty !
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Chynna!
Amanda conrad
says:Great idea!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Amanda!
Jen
says:My kids loved this activity. Thanks!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceGreat to hear, Jen! Thank you!
S
says:We do this as well, but without the little papers so we don’t waste them. My son calls them snack platters :)
Robin
says: Customer ServiceI love the name “snack platter!”
Mary
says:Such a cute idea! I’ll have to try this for sure!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Mary! Enjoy!
Shannon
says:Adorable
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Shannon!
Rosa
says:Oh my word, as I am just starting letters with my 4 year old and I know the older kids will all be on board with this fun idea too. Love it!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceRosa,
Kids of all ages and levels enjoy fun snacks!
Ellie
says:What a sweet idea! I’ll have to check out all the snack ideas! My kids will love it!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Ellie! I hope you and your kids have lots of fun with these ABC Snacks!
Shawna
says:Such a cute and creative idea! Love that it involves multi sensory learning.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Shawna!
Amanda Zweifel
says:Great ideas for our snack time! Thank you!!
Robin
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Amanda!
Mary Schmidbauer
says:This book is such a lovable cookbook. My granddaughters often will spend the day with me and we will snack. This book gives us purpose behind creating our great snacks.
Robin
says: Customer ServiceMary,
I love that this cookbook helps give you ideas for fun and purposeful snacks to make with your granddaughters! What happy memories you are creating!
Julia C.
says:Oh, I love these ideas! What a fun, creative, delicious multisensory way of learning! Thank you for sharing!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Julia! Glad you like this snack idea.
Marta
says:What cute idea! I really appreciate the additional ideas you all share on the blog. We love this program!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI’m glad you enjoy the blog, Marta! Thank you.
Jeanne
says:This is such a cool idea! They learn letters, music, art and more!
Amber
says:So much better than ants on a log! my kids will love
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceThank you, Amber!
Meggie Weston
says:Love this idea! I will definitely use this with my kindergartner!
Amanda King
says:This looks like fun, we might try it out this year!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceI hope you enjoy it, Amanda! ?
Rachel Bradley
says:LOVE this idea! I am always trying to find creative ways for my kids to eat healthier! Thanks for the tip!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYou’re welcome, Rachel! I like that this “recipe” can be easily adapted for different foods depending on what is in season or what your child likes.
Kristen
says:How fun! ?
Pauline
says:We make a similar snack at our house with an ice cube tray. Next time I’ll try putting the raisin around as ? ! Great idea!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceGlad you like it, Pauline!
Bri
says:What a fun idea! Looking forward to trying this with my little ones.
Cassia
says:Such a fun idea, thank you
Judith Martinez
says:This is so much fun! I was amazed at how much my 8 year old loved “ants on a log.” I’ll bet she’d enjoy this as well.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceYes, if a kid enjoys ants on a log, this will be a big treat! Enjoy!
LeeAnne Contreras
says:Love this idea! My first son loved the PreReading set and I know my second son will too! I am definitely trying this idea because we love this song!
Annalisa
says:I like the idea of adding a food component…which can lead to cooking and measurement!
Stephanie
says:My kids would love this activity!
Clarissa Hiciano
says:My children would love this!
Nadya
says:Love these tips! Thank you for sharing :)
Sarah
says:My preschooler would love this idea!
Nicole G
says:I love this idea, but I’d hate to wash 4-6 muffin pans.
Maureen
says:We’ve enjoyed the snack ideas and pairing them with the alphabet.