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Creative Veggie Critter Snacks

Fun and healthy edible art for kids made from celery logs, creamy spreads, and fresh fruit/veg shapes to encourage healthy eating through play.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 8 snacks
Course: Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: American, Kid-Friendly
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Critter Bases
  • 4-5 stalks Celery washed, trimmed, dried
  • 0.5 cup Cream Cheese softened, or hummus
  • 0.5 cup Peanut Butter or nut-free spread
Toppings & Decor
  • 1 Apple red, green, or mix, for round and crescent slices
  • 0.5 Cucumber sliced into round coins
  • 1 Orange mandarin or clementine slices
  • 0.5 cup Cherry Tomatoes red, for ladybugs and heads
  • 0.5 cup Blueberries for caterpillars
  • 0.5 cup Red Grapes halved, for caterpillars
  • 0.5 cup Green Grapes halved, for caterpillars
  • 24 Candy Eyes or mini raisins/chocolate chips

Equipment

  • Knife
  • Cutting Board
  • Offset spatula (optional)

Method
 

  1. Clean and cut celery stalks into 3-4 inch logs. Ensure they are completely dry.
  2. Fill some celery groves with cream cheese and some with peanut butter (or alternative spread).
  3. **For Snails:** Gently press fruit slices vertically into the filled logs. Referencing the image, snails are shown on peanut butter spread. Use a dab of spread to attach candy eyes to the top of the fruit slice 'shell'.
  4. **For Caterpillars:** Halve a grape or tomato for a head, attach eyes using a small spread dab. Lay halved grapes, blueberries, or cucumber slices in segments along a spread-filled log.
  5. **For Ladybugs:** Place a halved cherry tomato flat onto a cream cheese-filled log. Add a small spread head and attach eyes.
  6. Arrange the finished 'critters' creatively on a clean white surface or on a fun plate. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for short-term storage.

Notes

Ensure that all candy eyes are securely attached with spread. Consider using healthier alternatives like raisins, chocolate chips, or fruit leather dots if preparing for very young children.