Frugal snacks for oodles of kids? - Page 3

[zebra15]

Im sorry but I cant afford to feed the gaggle of kids that could end up over here. I may do popcorn and water but thats really about it.

If its a scheduled play date then yes i will offer a small snack.

[Adamsmama]

subbing ... I'll have (soon to be) 4 kids of my own to feed ... 2 of whom have bad food allergies. We can't do popcorn anymore but can do many fresh fruits and veggies.

[HappyMommy2]

I make a trail mix with whatever I have around.

Often just plain cheerios and raisins. I have a giant bag of dried blueberries ($8 at costco). Any kind of dried cereal I have around and already open. Those sesame sticks are super cheap and high protein. Goldfish from the pep farm "seconds" store or BJ's.

[KayleeZoo]

HappyMommy2 I'm so jealous that you live near the Pepperidge Farm outlet!

[PennyRoo]

Originally Posted by EmsMom

Hard boiled eggs? Carrot and celery sticks (stick some peanut butter in the celery, yum) Maybe peanuts in the shell - that might keep them busy for a while. How about rice krispie treats? I think I remember that they don't need to bake. I generally resort to popcorn, but don't forget you can flavor the popcorn as well for variety. If you make the snacks too good, they won't ever want to leave!!!

I am on an e-mail list and this recipe for microwave baked bread came through and the writer, whom I am inclined to trust, said it was pretty good. Have not tried it yet myself:

Bread For When It's just Too Hot to Bake

1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 cup lukewarm milk
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
2 cup whole wheat flour
1 cups all-purpose flour
Cover a wooden cutting board or a flat, microwave-safe tray with parchment paper.
In a large bowl or bowl of mixer, dissolve yeast in water. Add milk, sugar, salt, soda and 1 cup whole wheat flour; beat well. Beat in the rest of the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until a soft dough is formed. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead for about 5 minutes, or until smooth -- or, as I did, use the dough hook in a stand mixer for the whole operation. Place in a greased bowl -- I just use PAM -- and spray the top of the dough as well. Cover with a clean towel and let rise until double, about an hour, maybe a litle more. Punch down.

Form into four round loaves, and place on the parchment paper. Cover and let rise again for half an hour.

Microwave on high for 4 to 6 minutes, until top is no longer moist -- check it at 4 minutes, as a lot can happen in the course of a minute in a microwave. Let stand for 5 minutes in pan. Remove and cool on a rack. Yum.

Wow - I am excited to see that this thread ran 3 pages and even merited a mod interference! My threads rarely get more than a couple of replies. Who knew that cheap snacks could be so exciting. Sorry for not weighing in earlier - life has gotten crazy and I've had 2 sick kids with super high fevers. No fun in the heat, ugh.

Anyhow, I love this recipe idea above! Thank you so much!

I am a Luddite and cannot figure out how to quote multiple posts, so I am going to respond to a few individually.

[PennyRoo]

Originally Posted by Happiestever

These are more hearty snacks but...

Make giant quesadillas with large tortillas and cheese. Cut into triangles. Yum.

Frozen grapes.

Banana walnut bread

If you know how to make Lumpia that is something that can be pretty cheap and you can freeze it.


Graham crackers

Goodness - what on earth is Lumpia? Should I feel embarassed this is something I've never heard of?

[Chicky2]

Originally Posted by PennyRoo

Goodness - what on earth is Lumpia? Should I feel embarassed this is something I've never heard of?

Like eggrolls. Allrecipes has a recipe.

[Pariah]

All of my suggestions have been listed, but I have to say that from the time I got pregnant to the present, I've always dreamed of being "that house" where all the kids love to hang out. I've known people with houses like that and it is so fun (and the parents thought so, too). I'm very introverted so I would definitely need to recuperate here and there, but I really do love having lots of people around (and kids are usually more fun than most people my age!) and would love to cook, entertain, lead lots of artsy projects, have movie nights, etc. I don't know, maybe that is silly, but it has always appealed to me. A house full of energetic, creative, fun little beings who are full of life just makes me really happy to think about.

Sorry, that veered off topic a lot...

[Chicky2]

Originally Posted by Pariah

All of my suggestions have been listed, but I have to say that from the time I got pregnant to the present, I've always dreamed of being "that house" where all the kids love to hang out. I've known people with houses like that and it is so fun (and the parents thought so, too). I'm very introverted so I would definitely need to recuperate here and there, but I really do love having lots of people around (and kids are usually more fun than most people my age!) and would love to cook, entertain, lead lots of artsy projects, have movie nights, etc. I don't know, maybe that is silly, but it has always appealed to me. A house full of energetic, creative, fun little beings who are full of life just makes me really happy to think about.

Sorry, that veered off topic a lot...

Me too, always dreamed about it and now have it. We love to make huge pinatas while we are eating our frugal snack for many like popcorn and peanuts in the shell (had to keep on topic, lol).

[sweetjasmine]

Originally Posted by Pariah

All of my suggestions have been listed, but I have to say that from the time I got pregnant to the present, I've always dreamed of being "that house" where all the kids love to hang out. I've known people with houses like that and it is so fun (and the parents thought so, too). I'm very introverted so I would definitely need to recuperate here and there, but I really do love having lots of people around (and kids are usually more fun than most people my age!) and would love to cook, entertain, lead lots of artsy projects, have movie nights, etc. I don't know, maybe that is silly, but it has always appealed to me. A house full of energetic, creative, fun little beings who are full of life just makes me really happy to think about.

Sorry, that veered off topic a lot...

Me, too. I mean, I'm introverted, too, and can only take this for an hour or two but I love little kids! They are so special and they crack me up!

Btw, the peanuts in the shell is a fantastic idea! Except I guess, when it comes time to clean it up. I just thought about that. My stepkids love those little orange cheese balls. I bought a humongous 2-gallon jar of those things at a box store for cheap.

[Chicky2]

For easy cleanup inside, just vacuum if it's on carpet, or sweep on tile/linoleum for the floor. For the table, put down a trashbag or I cover my table w/white paper they draw on while eating their nuts. Then we can just take it all up and toss it. Actually, the goats love the shells, so they go to them, and the paper usually gets turned over, lol.

Otherwise, the porch is a great place to do it, or out on a blanket in the shade.

[PennyRoo]

It's important to me, too, to have a house where my daughters' friends can congregate and feel welcome. Kids seem to love being at our house, maybe because we have fun and cuddly pets, maybe because we have an indoor trapeeze, perhaps because we are laid back, or perhaps because we feed them - who knows? I do think it's a blessing to have a house with an open door policy, but it does strain the budget at time. My (skinny) kids are huge eaters and we never really restrict food for them, so long as it's healthy. It's hard when my DD announces she is hungry to then not feed her guests! Of course, I feel more of an obligation to provide kids who are actually invited with a proper snack, than I do when it's just a bunch of neighbor friends playing an informal game of kickball or having a water balloon fight. Still, when kids are hungry I try to accommodate them, within reason, and this thread has given me some additional ideas. Thanks, all.

[ikesmom]

At our house we put out whatever we have in abundance or fruit or veggies. Sometimes I will make corn tortilla chips with salsa
Deviled eggs
A big bowl or homemade ranch and dipping veggies