“Fruit salad – yummy, yummy!” … Whether you’re well past the Wiggles days or not, making fruit salad with your kiddos is a FUN and simple way to teach your children some basic culinary skills, while also sharing about the nutritional benefits of eating wholesome organic fruits.
In fact, a fun way to make this an even greater educational experience is to first visit a local Farmer’s Market, U-Pick Farm, or even the produce department of your favorite market together and select some fresh organic fruits. (Selecting a wide variety of fresh fruits together and then chopping them up into a delicious and nutritious fruit salad is a great way to encourage your kiddos to try something new.)
Kids in the Kitchen: Honey-Lime Fruit Salad
As I mentioned in my Strawberry Shortcake Muffins post, it’s important to correctly teach your children how to use sharp tools safely by first demonstrating how to properly use the tool, followed by assisting them in using the tool correctly, and then finally by carefully supervising them as they use the tool on their own.
For preschoolers, start with a plastic knife and teach them how to cut soft fruits like bananas. For elementary-age children, they are ready to begin learning how to properly use a small kitchen knife and other sharp kitchen tools {such as a peeler} with proper guidance and instruction. Preteens and teens who have the basics down are ready to perform more difficult culinary tasks, such as learning how to properly use a chef’s knife.
(Just a reminder to keep an eye out for my upcoming Kids in the Kitchen Summer School Series, where I’ll be sharing some detailed tips and techniques for teaching your children basic cooking and baking skills.)
This simple recipe also provides the opportunity to work on basic measuring and mixing skills, as well as the fun task of juicing a lime. Let your kiddos know that lime {or lemon} juice not only serves as a flavor booster, but also helps to keep the fruits from browning due to oxidation. Simple food science lessons like these make cooking together not only fun, but educational too!
Ingredients
- 5 cups of your favorite diced organic fruit
- {such as strawberries, apples, grapes, peaches, kiwi, etc.}
- 1 tsp raw honey
- 2-3 tsp of fresh-squeezed lime juice (approx 1 lime)
Instructions
- Peel any fruits that need peeling, and then carefully slice/dice them into bite-sized pieces. {Be sure to properly instruct and supervise children – keeping in mind the tips above – in order to keep this a fun and safe learning experience!}
- In a small measuring cup, whisk together the honey and lime juice, making sure to double the ingredients if using more than 5 cups of diced fruit.
- Toss diced fruit and honey-lime mixture together until well coated.
- Chill for at least one hour. Makes a delicious summertime salad! Enjoy!
P.S. You may even want to sing the Fruit Salad Song as you make this yummy recipe together. I know my preteens and their friends just love it when I start singing this little tune – LOL!
P.S.S. My very gifted blogging friend Matilda at The Quirky Kingdom wrote a post about Fruit Salad that truly satisfies and blesses the hearts of those who love the Lord. I encourage you to read it. You’ll never look at Fruit Salad the same way again. And that’s a good thing!
