18
A Is for Ants-Go-Munching
by Marie Rippel
Your kids are going to LOVE this fun (and kind of gross) snack idea!
Like most of my 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 could even be 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!
Angela Gay
says:So cute! Can’t wait to make this for my girls.
Stacey Barr
says:Love your boOKS :)
Julia Cosgrove
says:My sons absolutely love this and it was a good start for my son whose name begins with A.
Aimee
says:My children want to try all the foods in your alphabet series! These are great ideas for winter boredom, too!
Rachel
says:Thank you for this great resource!
Jessica
says:This looks like a fun and yummy dish to make with my child! Thanks for sharing!
megan dolson
says:This looks so yummy. The kids will love it, can’t wait to try!
Joanie
says:We will have to try this!!
Barbie Castor
says:Such a cute idea. My kids would love this.
Mumtaz
says:I love your idea.
Judith Martinez
says:These are so fun! I pinned the main page so I can go back and refer to it. Thank you for sharing!!
Lael Boyce
says:Very cute idea!
Alisha L
says:These ideas look so cute!
lovepcgd@hotmail.com
says:I like this as an activity that allows my children to help make something and teaches at the same time. We will definitely be trying these snack recipes.
Amy H
says:My kids would love these books!
Jamie S.
says:Very simple, but super cute. My daughter loves all things “A for Ava”!
Nicole
says:My kids haven’t had a muffin tin meal in a while. Might need to bring them back to make some yummy ABC snacks. Thanks for a fun resource!
Sarah Owens
says:Thanks for the fun idea!