Fruit Sticks
Ah, fruit sticks. My not-so-secret way to serve up all of the fruit that my kids have been ignoring in the fridge. Seriously, this instantly makes fruit more fun, uses up lingering fruit, and simply makes snack time more engaging. You can do it with fruit the kids love and with fruit they are learning to like. And you can make it for the kids or with the kids. These are also called “fruit kabobs”, “fruit skewers” or “fruit wands”—it’s all the same thing, so pick the name you like best. These work as well for a snack at home as they do to share at a party, birthdays, or any holiday. You can make them right before serving or a little ahead. They’re very versatile. We often have them on their own, but they also pair well with Yogurt Dip or Cottage Cheese Dip.
Ingredients You Need
To make these fruit wands, you’ll need the following ingredients on hand and ready to go. Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.
Cut-up fruit like melons, strawberries, pineapples, kiwis, pears, grapes, and/or blueberries. Paper lollipop sticks: Look for paper lollipop sticks near the cupcakes supplies of your crafts or big-box store. They are not pointy like skewers, so they are the best option for kids.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at how to make these fruit kebabs. Scroll down to the end of the post for the full info. TIP: I like to set out a plate of cut-up fruit and berries and let the kids help assemble their own sticks to make this into a snack-time activity.
What age are these good for?
These fruit wands work for about 20 months old and up. Younger kids can eat them, though it may be more challenging to maneuver the sticks.
How to Store
You can make these kid-safe fruit skewers a few hours ahead and store in the fridge in an airtight container; any longer and the paper sticks may get a little soggy and the fruit can brown. A better plan would be to prep the fruit and store that, then assemble the sticks right before serving. Refrigerate them briefly as needed.
Best Tips for Success
These fruit kabobs are a great way to use up lingering fruit. Or to use a mix of fruit such as pineapple, strawberries, mango, blackberries, honeydew melon, red or green grapes (cut safely for little kids), peaches, or really any other fruit your family enjoys. Let the kids pick the fruit they want on their sticks or assemble the sticks for them. We’ve done rainbows, alternating colors, and sticks with just one type of fruit! Serve on their own or with yogurt for dipping. I like paper lollipop sticks since they aren’t sharp like wooden skewers can be. Look for them near the cupcake supplies in a crafts or big box store. They come in a few lengths and any work. If you have leftover fresh fruit, place into an airtight container and store in the fridge to make more sticks later! Making fruit wands is a fun activity and snack to share on holidays including July 4th and Memorial Day.
I’d love to hear your feedback on this idea, so please comment below! Have fun with food with my cookbook for kids.
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Easy Fruit on the Bottom Yogurt
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This post was first published December 2020.
