Kid-Friendly Game Day Snacks – Nurture Life

Whether it be football, basketball or hockey, watching sports with family and friends is a fun, spirited way to spend a winter afternoon—even if that means getting together for a virtual Super Bowl party. Traditional game day snacks may not be the most nutritious for adults or kids, but with a little planning and creativity, it’s easy to swap out healthier versions.

Here are some winning snack ideas for kids and adults alike, perfect for munching while you’re cheering on your favorite team.

Fresh Fruits & Veggies

One thing a sports stadium can lack? Fresh snacks. Take advantage of being at home and set out a spread of fresh fruits and vegetables. Chop up everything from carrots and apples to celery and radishes. You can even serve fresh grapes, berries and sliced-up pineapple for easy snacking.

Quick Dips

Get creative with a variety of dips and accompaniments, such as fresh hummus with pita. (If you have time, you can make your own pita chips.) Greek yogurt or any kind of nut butter is the perfect dip for fresh fruit. For vegetables, make a healthier version of ranch dressing using nonfat Greek yogurt and a mix of herbs and spices.

Homemade Trail Mix

For a quick and easy alternative to store-bought trail mix, try this homemade version, which combines nuts, seeds and dried fruit. You can also add in dark chocolate or popcorn for a balanced snack.

Popcorn

Peanuts, popcorn, hot dogs—some of the most classic game day treats are also quite high in sodium. Fortunately, it’s easy to make comparable versions that are more nutritious.

Try air-popping your own popcorn (skip the butter), or serve up a pre-popped packaged version that’s flavorful and gluten-free. To add even more flavor, try adding nutritional yeast for a nutty and cheesy taste.

Sweet Potato Chips

Replace traditional potato chips with crispy baked sweet potato chips. All you need are sweet potatoes, olive oil and an oven for a crunchy snack everyone will love.

Ants on a Log

Fill celery with your favorite nut or seed butter and top with raisins for a classic kid favorite. A serving of nut butter is a good source of protein, and kids will love the natural sugar from the raisins. It’s a perfectly sweet treat without all the added sugar or sodium of a typical game day snack!

Mixed Nuts

Want a super-simple snack? Combine a variety of raw, unsalted nuts like almonds, cashews, walnuts and macadamia nuts in a serving bowl for a grab-and-go snack.

Sandwich Kabobs

Transform a typical sandwich into more exciting, kid-friendly kabobs. Serve up several combos like nut butter and jelly or sliced turkey, cheese and vegetables to appeal to all types of eaters.

Meatballs

For heartier fare, we love this recipe for spinach-parmesan meatballs that provides a good helping of leafy greens. If you have a picky eater, consider finely chopping the greens for less visible spinach.

If you’d prefer to skip the major meal prep and focus on the game day excitement instead, check out Nurture Life’s Shareable Chicken Meatballs. 

Energy Bites

As a fun surprise, have a few sweet treats on hand to celebrate your team’s victory! These tasty no-bake energy bites are easy to whip up at the last minute with no oven required. Natural peanut butter gives them a creamy consistency and familiar taste, while oatmeal, flaxseed and wheat germ add fiber.

“Nice Cream”

Looking for an icy delight? Try “nice cream” instead of regular ice cream. Simply freeze a few mashed-up bananas and top or mix with anything from almond butter to dark chocolate chips to delicious red fruits like dried cherries.

There’s nothing better than cheering on your favorite team with family and friends, even when we’re having to do so at a safe social distance. Whether you’re looking for the perfect halftime snack or a sweet treat to go along with your virtual watch party, these easy and nutritious snacks will have you Super Bowl-ready in no time!