How to Make a Valentines Day Charcuterie Board for Kids
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to sprinkle some extra love and joy into our homes. We all know that Valentine’s Day is not just for the grown-ups—it’s a great way to create special moments with our little ones too! And what better way to do that than with a Valentine’s Day charcuterie board for kids?
Imagine the smiles on their faces as they dive into a spread filled with heart-shaped goodies and colorful treats. It’s not just about the sweets; it’s about making memories, getting creative, and celebrating the love we share as a whole family. Time can be a thief!
Create a Valentine’s Day charcuterie board for your little valentines.
Here’s the perfect idea to turn snack time into a celebration. This easy charcuterie board is a great option for an after-school snack, movie night or even some good old fashion weekend snacking. Now, let’s spread the love one tasty treat at a time!
The best thing about a good charcuterie board is how you can customize it. Especially with kids, making a toddler-friendly charcuterie board can include many foods that are safe to eat (aka non-choking hazards). If you’re looking for a more breakfast/brunch board, check out my waffle charcuterie board. It’s always a hit!
Picture this: a bunch of giggling kids, eyes wide with excitement, surrounding a table filled with the most adorable heart-shaped snacks. It’s not just about the munchies; it’s an easy way to turn snack time into a mini party, a chance to get the little ones involved, and maybe even a sweet escape from the everyday chaos.
I love to break up the normal routine. In fact, it makes a core memory!
Cut out cheese hearts for your Valentine’s Day charcuterie board for an easy little detail.
Why make a charcuterie board for kids?
Now, let’s talk benefits. We’re not just talking about delicious treats here (although, that’s a major win). We’re talking about teaching our tiny humans the art of celebration, creativity, and, most importantly, the joy of sharing moments with the people they love. Plus, the kitchen chaos might just turn into a beautiful mess of love and laughter. Who wouldn’t want that?
Let’s talk strategy for the ultimate Valentine’s Day kid’s charcuterie board that will have your little ones doing a happy dance. It’s not rocket science, but a bit of planning goes a long way.
First things first – the snacks. We’re talking about a lineup of yummy foods that’ll make their eyebrows raise, even your own! Think heart-shaped cookies, fresh fruit, sweet treats and maybe even some red and pink candies or fun foods to add that extra pop. Keep it kid-friendly, and don’t forget to consider any dietary quirks – we want happy tummies here!
A Valentine’s Day charcuterie board for kids is easily customizable for ages or diets.
What to use for a charcuterie board?
Now, let’s get creative with the setup.
Here are some options to use for your actual board.
- Large Wooden Cutting Board
- A heart shaped board (that’s what I used)
- Large Platter
- Any large board you own
Do not stress about perfection. This is all about having fun and creating a moment to remember. So, grab your shopping list, gather your tiny helpers, and let’s plan the most epic Valentine’s Day charcuterie board.
We’re not just throwing snacks on a plate (or maybe we are), but either way we’re creating a masterpiece. Heart-shaped cookies, maybe some strawberry slices forming a lovey-dovey pattern, and a few candies strategically placed for that extra pop of color. It’s like edible art, and the best part is, you don’t have to be a culinary Picasso to pull it off.
Put on some fun jams for you and your family to enjoy! Search a valentine’s day mix on spotify or pandora.
This charcuterie board is obviously meant for Valentine’s Day, but it does not have be reserved for special occasions only. Sometimes a board of a mix of fingers foods is great for picky eaters. Another favorite thing about kid-friendly charcuterie boards is the fact that I can use what I have on hand making it an entire meal or just a snack board.
Here’s a portion of what I used for my Valentine’s Day charcuterie board for kids. I bought most of it from Target.
Kid-Friendly Charcuterie Board Ingredients
Easy vegetables to use for your kids charcuterie board
- Baby carrots
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumbers (cut into hearts or different shapes if you have a stencil)
- Chopped broccoli or cauliflower
Incorporating small bowls onto your board is helpful with staging it.
Here are a few dips to use:
- Hummus (both regular or chocolate hummus)
- Ranch
- French onion dip
You know your kids best, so just think about things they will actually eat and maybe incorporate some new foods! It can also be very helpful to have them pick something out at the grocery store themselves. You’d be surprised how willing they will be to try it.
Fruit to use for your kid-friendly charcuterie board
- Strawberries (you can cut them into hearts for Valentine’s Day)
- Raspberries (one of the easiest finger foods for my kids)
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Apple Slices
- Clementines
- Melon balls
- Applesauce pouches
The fruit portion of the board is such a simple idea that goes a long way.
A Great addition to this charcuterie board for kids is the meat. It’s easiest to use things that can be made into little bites.
Here are some different options for charcuterie meats:
- Salami
- Pepperoni
- Deli meats (ham roll ups, turkey roll ups)
- Mini hot dogs
- Chicken nuggets
- Mini sandwiches (heart shaped ofcourse)
- Pizza rolls
To round it all off, we need a bunch of sweets especially if it’s a Valentine’s Day charcuterie board.
I love the color of these pink wafers, but there are other brands that do not use artificial dyes. Find these in the cracker/cookie aisle.
Here’s a list of sweets and treats to use:
- Marshmallows
- Wafer cookies
- Animal Crackers
- M&Ms
- Chocolate covered pretzels
- Jelly Hearts
- Conversation hearts
- Yogurt bites
- Small cookies
Don’t forget about your crunch on this board.
Here are some options for crackers
- Almond crackers
- Whole grain crackers
- Wheat thins
- Tortilla chips
Here is a list of cheeses that I like to include:
- Cheddar cheese (I cut them into hearts or cheese cubes)
- Mozzarella pearls (I find this is one of the most kid-friendly cheeses)
- Laughing Cow cheese wedges
- String cheese
A Valentine’s Day charcuterie board for kids is a perfect weekend treat or after school snack! Enjoy.
Kid-Friendly Snack Foods
Okay, let’s get down to the delicious nitty-gritty – the recipes that will make your Valentine’s Day charcuterie board a hit with the little ones. We’re talking about snacks that are not only tasty but also super easy for tiny hands to grab and enjoy. These kid-friendly foods are creative ideas to add to your next Valentine’s Day charcuterie board.
Heart-Shaped Sandwiches:
Take some bread, slap on their favorite spread (peanut butter or Nutella, anyone?), and use a heart-shaped cookie cutter. Boom – you’ve got adorable, love-filled sandwiches.
Fruity Kabobs:
Grab some strawberries, grapes, and maybe even some melon. Cut them into bite-sized pieces and thread them onto skewers. Healthy, colorful, and fun to eat! Check a recipe out here.
DIY Yogurt Parfait:
Set up a yogurt station with different toppings like granola, berries, and honey. Let the kiddos layer their own parfaits. It’s like edible art, and they’ll love the hands-on experience. Check out a super recipe here.
Cupid’s Arrow Pretzels:
Dip pretzel rods in melted chocolate, then sprinkle with colorful toppings. It’s like making magic wands, but better – because you get to eat them!
Remember, the goal here is to keep it simple, delicious, and, most importantly, fun. Get the kiddos involved in the kitchen adventure, and watch their faces light up as they see and taste the yummy creations. Happy snacking!
Here are some creative ways to make this Valentine’s Day charcuterie board kids extra special.
1.) Tuck in a sweet little note for each kiddo at their seat. It could be as simple as “You’re awesome!” or “Love you to the moon and back.” It’s like a mini love letter on a plate.
2.) Take a moment to share why you love each kiddo. It could be something as simple as “I love how you always make us laugh” or “Your kindness makes my heart happy.” It’s a feel-good moment for everyone.
3.) Capture the joyous mess and the smiles on their faces. Take a bunch of photos and better yet, let them take photos of you too!
If you’re ready for St. Patrick’s Day, check out this awesome list of St. Patrick’s Day snacks.
Here’s to a Valentine’s Day filled with laughter, love, and the most epic charcuterie board your family has ever seen! Cheers to making memories and snacking like there’s no tomorrow!
