Photo Credit: Cindy Hopper; California Strawberry Commission; Erin Malawer
You've printed out the Valentines, made the cute crafts and checked out sweet ways to make the day special. Now let's get to the good part -- eating! Whip up one (or a few!) of these fun Valentine's Days treats and snacks with your kids: Some are healthy, some are sweet and all of them will get your pint-size Valentines excited.
Photo: Courtesy of Christy Cook
Chocolate Pretzel Dippers Pretzel Sticks
Pretzel sticks get a seriously cute upgrade when they're dipped in milk chocolate (or dark for you, mama) and topped with a candy heart. (Serve them up in a pretty paper cone if you want to get all Pinterest-y!) These dipped pretzels from Creatively Christy are easy to make assembly-line style, and hit that crunchy-salty-sweet snack trifecta. Get the how-to details here.
Photo: California Strawberry Commission
Strawberry Yogurt Cones
Want your kid to swoon over yogurt? Squeeze that ho-hum Go-Gurt tube into a waffle cone and top it with strawberries and a few candy sprinkles. (Go ahead and make one for yourself, too.) Get the recipe.
Photo: Courtesy of Erin Malawer
Fruity Cupid Kebabs
Let's face it: Food is just more fun when it's on a stick. So borrow this easy idea from Allergy Smallergy and slice fruit (melon works best) into flat pieces and let your kids cut them into heart shapes with cookie cutters; then help them thread the pieces onto bamboo skewers. Get the how-to details here.
Photo: Courtesy of Christi Johnstone
Muffin Top Valentine Cookies
Give standard (still-yummy) M&M cookies a Valentine's Day twist by making them extra big (Christi Johnstone of Love from the Oven made these thick, moist muffin-top cookies in a whoopie pie pan) and using pink, purple, white or red candies instead of the standard mix. Let your kids dump them in -- just make sure some of the pieces actually make it into the dough! Get the recipe.
Photo: Courtesy of Cindy Hopper
Rice Krispies Treat Heart Pops
Cake pops? Fun (there's that whole food-on-a-stick-thing again), but time-consuming. But these Rice Krispie pops from Skip to My Lou? Just as fun, and much easier! Simply make a pan of Rice Krispies treats, use a cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes, then push in a stick, dip one side in white chocolate and add candy sprinkles. Get the recipe.
Photo: Courtesy of Jean Van't Hul
Heart Soft Pretzels
Homemade soft pretzels are a fun project any time of year, but the heart-shaped snacks from The Artful Parent are especially perfect for Valentine's Day. Kids will love rolling and twisting the dough, sprinkling on the salt and, of course, eating them warm from the oven. Get the how-to details here.
Photo: Courtesy of Lisa Marie Nocera
Pancake Love Notes
For kids who "heart" pancakes, start the day with a sweet breakfast message. Put pancake batter in a squeeze bottle and help your kids spell out Valentine love notes or X's and O's. For a healthy twist, try this Green Tea Oatmeal Pancake recipe from Lisa Marie Nocera of Smart Food and Fit. Get the recipe.
Photo: Rachelle Doorley, Tinkerlab
Cream Cheese Heart Toasts
This sweet breakfast idea from Rachelle Doorley of Tinkerlab almost looks like a frosted cookie, but it's healthier (and way easier than rolling out dough). Cut heart shapes out of toasted whole wheat bread, spread with cream cheese and top with pink sprinkles. Get the details here.
Photo: Laure Kromer
DIY Conversation Hearts
There's no getting around the fact that these homemade conversation hearts require some time and effort, but how cool is it that you can customize your own version of the classic Valentine candy? Make the dough ahead of time yourself, and let your kids stamp out the hearts. Then, once they dry (in about two days, so plan ahead!), your kids can personalize them with food pens. Get the recipe.
Photo: Courtesy of Jessica Fediw/Happy Together
Apple Heart Sandwiches
Who needs bread for a sandwich? Let the apples of your eye build their own healthy snack sammies. We love this idea from Happy Together, which combines sliced apples, peanut butter, granola and chocolate chips. Make it festive by using a heart shaped cookie cutter to "core" each apple slice. Get the how-to details.
Photo: Geoff George Photography
Sweetheart Finger Sandwiches
These quick jam-and-cream cheese sandwiches make a sweet afterschool snack. And the best part? Your kids can do everything themselves. (Even clean up!) Get the recipe.
Photo: Courtesy of Marie Griffiths
Valentine Pretzel Buttons
Three simple, kid-friendly ingredients -- pretzels, plain M&M's and Hershey's Hugs -- are all you need to make these adorable little snacks from g*rated. Cute and easy? We're in love. Get the recipe.
So cute! Check out our favorite Make In a Night DIY Valentines
Get Free Valentine's Day Printables
Need craft inspiration? We've got 20 Easy-Peasy Valentine's Day Crafts
