Kid Friendly Summer Snack Platter (gluten free)

This kid friendly summer snack platter is not only easy to throw together and pretty to look at but also the perfect addition to your summer backyard get togethers and pot lucks! Whether you’re serving adults or kids alike, this summer snack platter is sure to be a hit for all ages!

It’s officially summer over here! Today was the last day of school and we are ready to paaaarty. I will miss the structure and daily schedule of the school year but I would be lying if I said I will miss packing home lunches every morning. I always seem to drop the ball around May when it comes to creativity. My brain is on overload with end of the year programs and performances, field trips and recitals. Let’s be honest the last few weeks have been a mix of random snacks and leftovers. This mama is tired.

I’m ready for sleeping in a little longer, lazy pool days and munching on a summer snack platter full of fresh fruits & veggies from the farmers market, cold cuts, cheese and our favorite WHISPS crackers! No need for a recipe here, just pull out what you’ve already got in the fridge, throw it on a plate or platter and start snacking!

Now watch me whisp whisp

We are always on the hunt for gluten free “crunchy” snacks to add to our summer snack platter tand WHISPS have recently become our absolute favorite. I love the Bacon BBQ and my kids are hooked on the Cheddar Cheese. With five delicious flavors to choose from, you’re bound to please every member of the family, even your pickiest eater!

What are WHISPS you ask? WHISPS are an airy, crispy, crunchy, and tasty snack made solely from one ingredient: 100% true cheese! WHISPS are an excellent source of calcium and protein. Enjoy them in a salad or by the handful straight out of the bag, like we do!

I buy them in bulk at our local Costco but have snagged them at Whole Foods and Walmart too. Check here to find WHISPS at a grocery store near you! Stock up while you’re there I promise you won’t regret it!

Summer Snack platters don’t have to be fancy

Look at all those colors! The one thing I love most about creating a summer snack platter, is it can have the look of something fancy and special without being full of “fancy” ingredients. Many summer snack platters have all kinds of special charcuterie: aged cheese, wine infused meats or pricey and unusual ingredients. Save those fancies for an adults only gathering where they will be appreciated! You can still create a beautiful summer snack platter, pretty enough to serve at any party or gathering, while being kid-friendly and appealing to the whole family!

Kid Friendly Summer Snack Platter Ingredients

Your options for a kid friendly summer platter are almost limitless. There’s no need to hit the store or really even plan ahead. I mean you can, but our favorite summer snack platters are those that are loaded up with what we have on hand. Pulling from the pantry and produce drawers and scrounging up odds and ends is also a great way to utilize leftovers. My kids find pride in building a summer snack platter they created themselves and are far more likely to gobble it up too.

I threw this particular summer snack platter together (ours don’t always look this dressed up) for a year end school party. I was serving a group of 8 year olds, so I kept things pretty basic, but added a few different shapes and toothpick tricks to jazz it up a bit! Here is a list of ingredients I used to load our summer snack platter up with:

• baby carrots
• black olives
• mini cucumbers
• watermelon stars
• cantaloupe balls
• blueberries
• strawberries
• raspberries
• grape tomatoes
• green grapes
• pineapple chunks
• mini bell peppers
• gherkins
• orange slices
• cubed assorted cheese
• ham and turkey picks
• salami wrapped string cheese
• Bacon BBQ, Parmesan Cheese and Tomato Basil WHISPS

5 Tips for Creating a Kid Friendly Summer Snack Platter

• Make it colorful with lots of fresh summer fruits and vegetables for variety. I always shop seasonally and like add unique seasonal fruits from the farmers market.
• Buy pre cut options if available to save time and waste. Yes they are a tad more pricey but sure do come in handy in a pinch.
• Make it fun to eat. Use mini cookie cutters to make fun shapes and toothpicks to serve deli meats and cheese.
• Use a platter with a rim rather than a flat board. When kids get snacky they get grabby which can end in a mess if the contents can easily fall off the edges.
• Keep it finger friendly with small bites.

When to serve a kid friendly snack platter

The answer: ANYTIME!

I love a fresh “no cook” option for meals during the hot summer months and this summer snack platter just happens to be one of our families favorite ways to do dinner after a long day in the sun. Anytime I can get out of heating up the kitchen and off the hook from actually cooking, I 10/10 will.

If we are hosting a pot luck or BBQ I always throw a kid friendly snack platter on the table! Not only is it a pretty addition to the spread but it’s the first thing to usually disappear! You can add a few dips and dressings on the side to kick it up a notch. I always serve ours with a big bowl of homemade ranch dressing aka Clean Eats MAGIC SAUCE!!

Mom hack: if you end up with any leftovers, I like to divide the fruits and veggies up and save a mixture of everything in individual snack size baggies for easy grab and go summer snacking during the week.

Is it summer where you are yet? If so, put this kid friendly summer snack platter on your weekly meal plan and enjoy a night off of cooking!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cello WHISPS. As always all opinions expressed are my own.