A Is for Ants-Go-Munching
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.
Adapted from Life Is Fantasmic
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!
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!