Fun with Fruit

Fruit Smiles!

Fruit can be fun!  There are lots of ways to get kids to eat their fruit and veggies.  Try a few of these fun recipes for fruit.  Some are good for school lunches, afternoon snacks and some are fun for the kids to make themselves.  I will post a few fun recipes to try over the next few days.  First try these yummy fruit smiles.

Cantaloupe fruit smiles with strawberry jello.

Fruit Smiles



1 melon (cantaloupe or honeydew)
1 package Jell-O brand gelatin
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup mixed fruit

CUT 1 melon (about 3-1/2 lb.) in half lengthwise; remove and discard seeds. Scoop out melon, leaving each half with a 1-inch-thick shell. Chop removed melon; drain well. Cut thin slice off bottom of each melon shell to allow it to stand upright.


STIR 3/4 cup boiling water into 1 pkg. (4-serving size) Jell-O Brand Gelatin in large bowl at least 2 min. until completely dissolved. Stir in 1/2 cup cold water. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved chopped melon and 1/2 cup fruit to each melon shell.


POUR gelatin evenly into melon shells. Pour any remaining gelatin into small bowl to enjoy later. Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm. Cut each half melon into four wedges to serve.

 

FRUIT CRITTERS

Ladybugs
For each one, push half of a red grape onto a trimmed wooden skewer for the head. Next, push on a hulled strawberry body and score the back to create wings. For spots, use a toothpick to gently press mini chocolate chips, tips down, into the fruit. Arrange the skewers on a honeydew melon half.

Caterpillars
Carefully thread grapes onto a pretzel stick to make a caterpillar. Stick 2 sunflower seeds into one of the end grapes to make eyes. You can also use 2 kinds of grapes to make a multi colored caterpillar.


Bumble Bees
Cut off the last 2 inches of a banana, so you have a piece with a slight curve and a tapered end. This will be the body. Carefully stick a pretzel stick into the cut surface so half is in the banana and half is sticking out. Core a strawberry and carefully stick in onto the other half of the pretzel stick to attach the "head". Cut a raisin in 1/2 and stick the cut side onto either side of the strawberry to make eyes. Cut 2 slices of apple and carefully stick into the banana to make wings.

Have fun making your own critters using different fruits!