Do you want a festive and exciting appetizer that your kids will love? Look no further than a Kids’ Charcuterie Board! My favorite part of this snack board recipe is that all the ingredients are super quick, easy, and absolutely delicious. So, let’s dive in and find out how to make this fantastic treat!
When making a charcuterie board for kids, the sky’s the limit! You can pile on all sorts of fun snacks, frozen appetizers, crackers, and dips, and it’ll be a hit with the little ones. I’ve found that my kids, especially the two youngest ones, absolutely love charcuterie boards. Whether for a quick lunch, snack, or a special occasion, they always get SO excited about the colorful spread of goodies.
Why Kid-Friendly Charcuterie Boards Are A Hit
Here are a few reasons why I love kid-friendly charcuterie boards:
✔️ Visual Appeal: Kids are drawn to food that’s visually appealing. The colorful arrangements and creative displays on charcuterie boards will surely capture their attention.
✔️ Variety: Charcuterie boards offer a variety of different foods, which can help picky eaters try new things.
✔️ Involvement: Kids can get involved in the meal preparation by helping to arrange the food on the board.
✔️ Fun: Charcuterie boards are a fun and festive way to serve food. They’re perfect for parties, holidays, or just a regular weeknight meal.
So next time you’re looking for a fun and easy way to serve your kids’ lunch, dinner, snack, or a birthday party, try making a charcuterie board. They’re sure to love it!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Pizza Rolls: These cheesy, saucy bites are always a hit with kids. Pop them in the oven according to the package instructions and add them to your board.
French Fries: Whether you make them or use store-bought frozen ones, fries are a classic charcuterie board addition. Kids love dipping them in ketchup or barbecue sauce.
Pigs in a Blanket: These miniature hot dogs wrapped in crescent roll dough are a fun and easy snack that kids will devour. Just follow the package instructions and watch them disappear!
Goldfish: These crunchy crackers add a pop of color and texture to your charcuterie board. You can put them in a separate bowl or scatter them throughout the board for a fun touch.
BBQ Sauce: This tangy sauce pairs perfectly with many of the items on your charcuterie board, from pizza rolls to fries. You can serve it in a small bowl or add it directly to the board.
Ketchup: This classic condiment is always a crowd-pleaser, especially with fries and pigs in a blanket. Add a little ketchup to your board for a final touch of flavor.
How to Assemble a Kid-Friendly Charcuterie Board
Step 1: After cooking all your charcuterie appetizers, gather your ketchup and barbecue sauce. Then, take your serving board or platter: it can be any shape you like!
Step 2: Place the two small condiment dishes diagonally across from each other on the board like they’re at opposite corners.
Step 3: Then, on the left side of the board, between the two sauce dishes, create a half-circle shape using the pizza rolls – like forming a tasty arc shape. On the opposite of the board, between the two sauce dishes, repeat this step but use the pigs in a blanket instead. You’re making another delicious half-circle on the opposite side.
Step 4: At this point, your board should have space left in the center. This open area is where to add cooked french fries.
Step 5: To make the board more fun and colorful for the kids, sprinkle some goldfish crackers in random spaces across the charcuterie. This gives a playful touch and makes it even more enjoyable for snacking.
Top Tips And Tricks For Making A Kid Friendly Charcuterie Board
Choose a Great Board: When picking a board for your charcuterie creation, think “wow factor!” Choose a visually exciting board.
Condiment Placement: Position condiments strategically on opposite corners or sides of the board to create balance and easy access for your kiddos.
Finger Foods: Stick to items that are easy for kids to pick up and eat with their hands, like pizza rolls and pigs in a blanket. No utensils are required!
Color and Shapes: My kids are typically drawn to bright colors and interesting shapes, so make sure to include a variety of both on your charcuterie board.
Size and Portion: Keep it Kid-Sized: Kids have smaller appetites than adults, so keep the portions in mind. I usually end up with a ton of leftovers, but that’s okay! Make sure to include small portions of each item on the board so kids can try a little of everything. You can also use small bowls to separate different items and make it easier for kids to grab what they want.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to display This?
Use a visually exciting and fun serving board or platter and arrange items thoughtfully. Remember to space them out, and don’t overcrowd the board.
Do I need special utensils or tools?
Basic utensils like small tongs can be helpful, but they’re not essential. Regular kitchen utensils work fine in our house.
Can I customize This to accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes! You can create gluten-free, vegetarian, or other diet-specific charcuterie boards by choosing items that meet your family’s needs.
How do I clean and store my serving board?
You can follow the cleaning instructions for the specific material (wood, marble, etc.). I usually store mine in a cool, dry place to prevent any damage.
Storage Instructions for Your Easy kID fRIENDLY Charcuterie Board:
If you’ve got some yummy stuff left over from your charcuterie board, don’t worry! Here’s how to store it so you can enjoy it later:
Condiments: For those handy condiments like ketchup and barbecue sauce, you can keep them in their original containers. For any homemade sauces you whipped up, pop them into airtight containers to keep them fresh.
Bread and Crackers: To keep your bread and crackers crisp and crunchy, store them in a cool, dry place. Seal them up tight in a resealable bag or airtight container to prevent them from going stale.
Utensils and Decorations: Give your utensils a good wash after use and store them away in a drawer or cabinet. As for those decorative elements, find them a safe spot in your kitchen to keep them tidy.
Leftovers: When you’re ready to dig into those leftovers, get creative! Rebuild your charcuterie board or use the ingredients to make some tasty leftover meals like sandwiches, salads, or omelets–the endless possibilities!
Theme Variations
Movie Night Munchies: Popcorn is a must-have for any movie night, so pop some up and add it to your board! You can also balance out the salty popcorn with some cheese, crackers, and sliced fruit. To make it even more exciting, use cookie cutters to cut the cheese into fun shapes like stars or hearts.
Birthday Bash Bites: Charcuterie boards are a great way to celebrate kiddos’ birthdays! Make a sweet treat board with mini pizzas, fruit skewers, and chicken nuggets. You can also add some colorful candies and cupcakes for extra sweetness and birthday decadence. These boards can also be a perfect centerpiece for the party table.
After-School Snack Attack: After-school snacks can be healthy, tasty, and fun! Create this board with a variety of pretzels, peanuts, chips, fruits (some great options are orange slices, pineapple, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries), and almond or peanut butter for healthy fats and protein. Cheese and crackers are also great for a more filling snack after the school day.
Lunchtime Feast: You can make this board with some sandwich fixings like deli meats (such as ham, turkey, or pepperoni), cheese cubes or cheese slices (my kids love either cheddar cheese or colby jack cheese), and mixed nuts and olives. You can add some sliced veggies (my favorites are cherry tomatoes, celery, bell peppers, baby carrots or carrot sticks, and cucumbers) and fruit to make it a balanced meal. Also, include some hummus or ranch dips for added flavor!
Breakfast Board: Who says charcuterie boards are just for lunch and dinner?? Include some mini pancakes, waffles, and muffins for a super exciting twist on breakfast. Add some yogurt, granola, grapes, and apple slices for a healthy option, and include some bacon or sausage for a more filling meal.
More Kid-Friendly appetizers:
Equipment
- 1 Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- 10 Pizza Rolls
- 1 ½ cups French Fries
- 8 hot dogs (for pigs in a blanket)
- 1 pkg crescent roll dough (8 count) (for pigs in a blanket)
- Ketchup
- Barbecue Sauce
- 1 cup Goldfish
Instructions
Preparation:
- Gather your ingredients. This will help you stay organized and avoid any last-minute surprises.
- Cook the pizza rolls and fries according to package directions.
- While the pizza rolls and fries are cooking, wrap the hot dogs in crescent roll dough and cook them according to package directions. This will create the pigs in a blanket.
- Prepare the dipping sauces. Take out two small bowls and pour the ketchup and barbecue sauce into them.
Assembly:
- Find a large serving platter or cutting board. This will be your charcuterie board.
- Place the ketchup and barbecue sauce bowls diagonally across from each other on the board. This will create a visual anchor for the rest of the food.
- Arrange the pizza rolls in a half circle on the left side of the board, between the sauce bowls. This will create a visually appealing shape.
- Repeat step 3 on the other side of the board, using the pigs in a blanket instead of the pizza rolls. This will create a symmetrical arrangement.
- Fill the remaining space in the center of the board with the french fries. This will add height and texture to the charcuterie board.
- Sprinkle the goldfish crackers randomly over the board. This will add a fun and colorful touch.
Notes
- If you are short on time, you can use store-bought pizza rolls and fries.
- You can add other dipping sauces, such as ranch or honey mustard.
- Have fun with it, and don't stress too much about perfection.
- When it comes to serving sizes, remember that kids have smaller appetites than adults.
- You can also use small bowls to separate different items and make it easier for kids to grab what they want.
- Get creative with the arrangement of the food. There is no right or wrong way to do this!