As parents, it feels like all of Saturday is spent preparing food, cleaning up, and doing dishes in a cycle that never ends.

1. Wake-up
2. First breakfast
3. Second breakfast
4. Morning snack
5. Lunch
6. First afternoon snack
7. Second afternoon snack
8. Before dinner snack
9. Dinner
10. The “I’m still hungry before bed” snack

Luckily my kids are old enough now that we are gaining some traction with independence around making snacks. But, one strategy really changed our whole weekend: Snack Boards. 

Snacks boards can be literally anything. The kids love to plan for and make them and they require very little clean-up. Kids also learn how to be independent and if you have multiples, this is a great way to strengthen relationships amongst siblings. Planning and executing on a goal and project teaches so many great skills, making snack boards is healthy for the brain and body!

Here’s how to get started with your weekend snack boards: 

• Identify favorite snacks that are balanced between all the food groups
• All snacks must be cook-free
• Kids make the board independently (mostly!)
• Water is the only drink
• Put the board, and small plates on the kitchen table and kids eat as needed (with parental monitoring)

What you need: 

• Large outing board or tray
• Small bowls
• Small plates

Our favorite snack boards typically include: 

• Cheese, pepperoni, and crackers
• Peanut butter on mini rice cakes
• Hummus, carrot sticks, cucumber slices 
• Trail mix and mixed nuts
• Grapes, orange slices, dried fruit
• Pretzels dipped in cream cheese 

Share pictures of your family snack boards! Tag us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter using @MoshiSleep

Allison Henry