Easy, no-bake holiday snacks to make with the kids

School’s out, the kids are home, and suddenly, snack time feels like it’s all the time. If you’re looking for a fun, hands-on activity that won’t leave your kitchen looking like a baking show disaster, we’ve got you covered.

Wayne Blake, Cluster General Manager at ANEW Hotels & Resorts, shares five of his favourite no-bake treats that are perfect for little hands and taste buds. They’re quick, easy, and best of all, kid-approved.

Wayne’s top holiday survival tip? “Don’t overthink it. The best snacks are the ones that get eaten! Keep it hands-on, a little messy, and let them be part of the process. Once done, you might even get five minutes of peace while they snack.”

CRISPY CORNFLAKE & PEANUT BUTTER CLUSTERS

Sweet without the sugar overload, these crunchy little bites are great for sticky fingers and big appetites.

Makes 10–12 clusters
• Mix about 250ml of cornflakes with 65ml of your favourite peanut butter (smooth or crunchy) and 30ml of honey.
• Scoop the mixture into small cupcake papers and pop them into the fridge to firm up. No cupcake papers? Just roll into small balls and chill.
• Extra tip: Toss in a handful (around 20ml) of chia seeds for some added crunch.

Too healthy for your resident snack critic? Swap out the peanut butter for Nutella or melted chocolate for a cheeky twist.

BONKERS BISCUIT SANDWICHES

Biscuit-based treats that don’t need a fridge or an oven? Yes, please. Kids will love building their dessert sandwiches and eating them too!

• Start with plain biscuits like Marie, Tennis or digestives.
• Spread on your “glue” of choice: peanut butter, Nutella, Biscoff spread, cream cheese or even a scoop of ice cream.
• Now go wild with the toppings. Try:

• Crushed cornflakes
• Broken wafer sticks
• Crushed pretzels
• Mini marshmallows
• Jelly Tots
• Smarties
• Cherries or raspberries
• Colourful sprinkles, coconut or cocoa powder

• Top with another biscuit and gently press to create your sandwich.

Messy? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely.

SNACK BUNNIES

Snack time meets art time with these creative (and a bit silly) edible creatures.

• Lay out plain crackers or use leftover crumpets as your base.
• Spread on cream cheese, butter or hummus as the “glue”.
• Let the kids go wild decorating with:

• Sliced olives or blueberries for eyes
• Curled cucumber peel, carrot sticks or chives for tails, tongues or antennae
• Raisins, cranberries, banana slices or gherkin slivers for extra bits
• Cheese or salami triangles for wings

• Serve them up on a bed of lettuce for that “grassland” vibe.

There are no rules here… just imagination and snacks.

POPCORN SNOWBALL BITES

No holiday is complete without popcorn, and these light, slightly sticky snowball bites are just the thing. Be warned… they’re a bit messy but so much fun to make.

Makes 12–15 snowballs
• In a big bowl, mix 750ml of popped popcorn with 120ml of mini marshmallows (optional, for extra chew).
• In a separate bowl, whisk together either:

• 60ml cream cheese + 2 tbsp (30ml) honey or
• 100ml Greek yoghurt + 2 tbsp (30ml) honey

• Pour the creamy mix over your popcorn and fold gently until coated.
• Using clean hands or a scoop, shape into small balls and pop them onto a tray with baking paper.
• Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up.

Bonus idea: Roll the snowballs in crushed freeze-dried strawberries, desiccated coconut or sprinkles for that festive flair.

CHEESE & CRACKLE POPS

These savoury pops are a fun twist on fruit skewers. Great for kids who love cheese more than sweets.

• Use long pretzel sticks or trimmed toothpicks.
• Thread on a mix of:

• Cubes of cheese
• Mini gherkins
• Mini rice cakes or bits of popcorn

• Top it off with a cherry tomato or an olive.

Snackable, stackable, and addictive.