Fruit Sticks are one of my very favorite ways to help the kids find fruit more fun—especially when they’re reluctant to try new things—or even fruits they liked last week! This is an activity and snack the kids can help make, too.

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” 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 or 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 this fun snack, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 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 this snack. Scroll down to the end of the post for the full info.

1. Prep the fruit by washing it, removing any peels or rinds, and dicing it into bite-size pieces.
2. Add it to the lollipop sticks in any order you like.
3. Serve, adding a dip if you want. (We like it with Yogurt Dip.)

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?

They 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.

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Best Tips for Success

• These fruit kabobs are a great way to use up lingering fruit.
• 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. 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 fruit, place into an airtight container and store in the fridge to make more sticks later!

I’d love to hear your feedback on this idea, so please comment below!

• Peel any fruit with a peel that needs to be discarded. Cut fruit into chunks. Halve grapes for kids under age 4 as needed.

• Place onto paper lollipop sticks in any order you or the kids like.

• Serve with yogurt (plain with a little jam or honey or flavored) for dipping if desired.

• This is a great way to use up lingering fruit.
• Let the kids pick the fruit they want on their sticks or assemble the sticks for them. We’ve done rainbows, alternating colors, or sticks with just one type of fruit!
• I like paper lollipop sticks since they aren’t sharp. 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 fruit, place into an airtight container and store in the fridge to make more sticks later!

Calories: 46kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 220mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 17IU, Vitamin C: 85mg, Calcium: 23mg, Iron: 1mg

This post was first published December 2020.