Playground Snacks
Snacks & Drinks for the Playground
As a parent or educator, you likely understand one of the most important pieces of playground "equipment" is food. Snacks provide the energy children need to sustain play, proper growth, and psychological wellness. A challenging aspect of childhood nutrition is that different children have different systems – some never get hungry, some eat often, others hate vegetables, and some will only eat green beans. Either way, there are recommendations that parents or educators should consider before letting the little ones free on the playground.
Drinks for the Playground
Water and juice are an absolute must-have when sending the kids to the playground. Make sure kids take in an adequate amount of fluids. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies suggests children should have at least six to eight glasses of water a day, and more if they are exercising. The good news is it shouldn’t be too hard to get the kids interested in juice. Just find out which juices they prefer, and carry a few with you every time you hit the playground, along with a hefty supply of water. Bring the water in brightly colored bottles labeled with each child's name and you can help make it fun for kids to stay hydrated.
Playground Snacks
Snacks on the playground are meant to sustain energy. The golden rule of thumb is avoid snacks high in processed sugars and saturated fats. Fruits and whole grains have natural sugars that will keep glucose levels normal. Likewise, things like oranges, apples, and grapes contain a lot of water, another benefit of eating fruits that helps kids stay hydrated.
In addition to fruit, vegetables are an ideal snack, but it may be difficult to get your kids interested in munching on celery stalks. The best thing to do is start the kids early - the sooner they start eating vegetables, the easier it will be to include vegetables in their diet later. Kid favorites include carrots, broccoli, and soy beans (edamame) - but don't stop there. Try a variety of vegetables to see what your kids like.
If packing fruit or vegetables, it is nice to include is some sort of dipping or spread. Low-fat ranch dressing is great for carrots and broccoli, and kids seem to love a celery stalk or apple smothered in peanut butter. Finally, small crackers and bread treats are always welcomed by kids, but don't rely on them. Mix these carbohydrate-heavy foods with lighter options to keep energy levels optimal, and moods happy.
The last step? Grab a cooler or a bag with a few ice packs to pack your drinks and snacks and keep them cold at the park! |
