Merry Christmas from the Y! This is one of the happiest times of the year: gathering with family and friends, wearing cozy sweaters, and sharing yummy foods.

But while we all love Christmas cookies, you may be wondering how to cut back on some of the holiday sugar. If you’re looking for healthy Christmas treats to make with your kids, we have seven adorable (and delicious!) ideas for you.

1. Strawberry Santas

Ingredients

• 12 strawberries
• 1 banana
• ¼ cup cream cheese
• Gel icing

Instructions

1. Cut off the leaves from strawberry.
2. Cut a second slice from the top of the strawberry.
3. Slice a disc from a banana.
4. Spread one side of the banana with cream cheese for Santa’s beard.
5. Place the strawberry slice on the serving plate.
6. Add the slice of the banana on top, cream cheese side down.
7. Add two gel icing dots on the edge of the banana slice for eyes.
8. Place the rest of the strawberry on top as the hat.
9. Repeat for as many Santas as you want.

2. Grinch Fruit Skewers

Ingredients & Equipment

• 10 green grapes
• 1 banana, cut into 10 slices
• 10 strawberries
• 10 mini marshmallows
• 10 skewers

Instructions

1. Kids’ safety tip: Cut or break off the pointy end of the skewers.
2. Put a green grape on each skewer for the Grinch faces.
3. Place a banana slice on top of each grape.
4. Cut off the strawberry leaves, then put the strawberries on top of each banana for Grinch hats.
5. Top off the hats with mini marshmallows.

3. Banana Snowmen

Ingredients & Equipment

• 2 bananas
• ¼ of a carrot
• A handful of raisins
• 3 strawberries
• 6 grapes
• 6 skewers

Instructions

1. Cut the bananas into thick slices (about nine rounds per banana).
2. Peel the carrot and cut into small triangles for a nose.
3. Trim strawberry stems and cut in half. You should get two hats out of each strawberry.
4. Cut the grapes in half. 
5. To assemble, thread three slices of banana on to each skewer, then a strawberry hat and grape half. 
6. Gently press raisins into the banana slices for eyes and buttons.
7. Add the carrot nose, then enjoy these sweet snowmen!
8. Kid-friendly tip: Chop everything up, place all the bits in separate bowls, and have the kids assemble the snowmen.

4. Frosty the Snowman Sandwiches

Ingredients & Equipment

• 2 slices of bread
• Deli ham
• Cheese
• A baby carrot
• Raisins 
• Cucumber slices
• Red bell pepper slices
• Circle sandwich cutter

Instructions

1. Place ham and cheese (or your child’s favorite filling) between bread slices.
2. Use the circle sandwich cutter to slice away the edges.
3. Let your child add the baby carrot for Frosty’s nose, raisins for his eyes and mouth, and red bell pepper for his scarf.
4. Finish the sandwich by adding cucumber slices for Frosty’s hat.
5. Time for your kiddo to dig in!

5. Watermelon Christmas Trees

Ingredients

• ¼ of a whole seedless watermelon
• ⅓ cup yogurt

Instructions

1. Cut watermelon into slices, then cut each slice in half.
2. To make the base of the tree, slice the rind into thirds and trim pieces from either side so you’ll have one “tree trunk” in the middle.
3. Place your Christmas trees on a lined tray that will fit in the freezer.
4. Add yogurt to a piping bag and decorate your trees. If you don’t have a piping bag, simply fill a snap-lock plastic bag with yogurt and cut a small piece from the corner.
5. Place tray in the freezer and let yogurt freeze for 1-2 hours.
6. Serve and enjoy!

6. Sweet & Savory Christmas Trees

Ingredients

• A slice of yellow cheese 
• 5-7 small pretzel sticks
• 1 green apple
• 8 raisins

Instructions

1. Cut green apple into eight slices.
2. Help your child assemble their Christmas tree: Yellow cheese for the star, pretzel sticks for the tree trunk, and raisins for ornaments.
3. Repeat this for as many trees as you want!

7. Cheese Christmas Trees

Ingredients & Equipment

• Your child’s favorite cheese
• Broccoli florets
• Chili pepper flakes
• 1 mini yellow pepper
• Skewers or toothpicks

Instructions

1. Slice cheese into triangles, then gently skewer them.
2. Shave broccoli tops, then have your child sprinkle broccoli over the cheese wedges.
3. Shake a few chili pepper flakes over each wedge.
4. Carefully slice the pepper into stars, then top cheese wedges.
5. Serve and enjoy!

We hope you and your kiddos have the healthiest, tastiest Christmas ever!

The Lafayette Family YMCA is a community dedicated to healthy living and social responsibility. For more fitness tips and to stay up to date about YMCA events, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, or visit our website here.