Simple Kid Friendly Patriotic Charcuterie Board: Dye Free

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This Kid-Friendly Patriotic Charcuterie Board is filled with wholesome food without artificial dyes or artificial flavors. Themed charcuterie boards or snack meals are my favorite to create. The world is full of bright and colorful food without the need to add synthetic chemicals or highly processed foods. It is so fun to go to our local grocery store or farmer’s market and hunt for red, white, and blue food.

Patriotic Theme: Red, White, and Blue Charcuterie board is a great option for Memorial Day, Labor Day, Independence Day, any special occasion, a summer party, or an after-school snack.

Jump to the Kid-Friendly Patriotic Charcuterie Board Recipe

Fuss-free! Snack Meals are the BEST! 🙂

The best part about snack meals is that they are fuss-free and can satisfy any picky eater. I always choose kid-friendly foods like fresh fruit, berries, apple slices, Swiss cheese, and crackers, but I like to sneak in new food items too. Kids are more likely to try new things when offered with the food they love and without any pressure.

Don’t forget to add something for your sweet tooth to your patriotic board.

Charcuterie boards are not just for Patriotic Holidays. They are the perfect snack lunch, on-the-go meal, spontaneous picnic, or afternoon snack.

I keep my pantry and refrigerator stocked with our favorite fruits, vegetables, crackers, salsa, popcorn, pretzels, and cheese. When I am too tired, stressed, or busy to prepare a hot meal, snack meals are my go-to. It’s not always a festive display. So, don’t be worried if you don’t have a fancy large board, use what you have, a frisbee, casserole dish, plate, cutting board, etc. A frisbee makes the best mini-charcuterie board (there is a story behind that one, I’ll have to tell you later).

Red, White, and Blue: Wholesome, Dye-Free Patriotic Snack Items to Fill Your Kid-Friendly Charcuterie Board

Delicious Red Food Board Items

Fruits

• strawberries
• raspberries
• watermelon
• cherries (always remember to slice longways if serving to kids younger than 5 years old)
• apples

Vegetables

• grape tomatoes (always remember to slice longways if serving to kids younger than 5 years old)
• sliced red bell peppers or sweet peppers

Other Red Food Items

• pepperoni
• prosciutto
• salami
• deli meat
• salsa
• beet crackers

White Food Board Items

Cheese

• mozzarella
• cheese strings
• other white cheese: brie, white cheddar, manchego, gouda, blue cheese
• cheeseball

Dips

• queso
• hummus
• yogurt fruit dip
• ranch
• homemade whipped cream

Bread

• crackers
• bread sticks
• pita bread
• sliced baguettes
• pretzels
• rice cakes

Other White Food Items

• hard-boiled eggs or deviled eggs
• cashews
• chopped cauliflower
• white chocolate
• white chocolate dipped pretzels or yogurt covered pretzels
• marshmallows
• popcorn
• Mexican Wedding Cookies
• shredded coconut
• animal Crackers

Blue Food Items

Fruits

• blueberries
• blackberries*
• raisins*
• dates*
• kalamata olives* caution if serving to kids younger than 5 years old due to choking hazard
• (dark blue or black) grapes (always remember to slice longways if serving to kids younger than 5 years old)

Other Blue Foods

• blue tortilla chips
• chocolate*

* Although these foods are not vibrant blue, these food items still work well in creating a blue patriotic charcuterie board without adding artificial dyes.

How to Get Kids Involved in the Kitchen?

This Kid and Toddler-Friendly Charcuterie Board is the perfect way to allow kids to build their confidence, independence, and skills in the kitchen. Making a simple snack board allows kids to contribute to family meals and cookouts and learn to serve those around them. It is also a fun way for picky eaters to explore different textures and different flavors.

Here is a list of tasks for kids when making a simple charcuterie board:

• choose wholesome foods that align with the theme (in this case, red, white, and blue food items)
• select platters, bowls, and other structures
• gather ingredients
• wash produce
• slice cheese*
• roll deli meats
• creatively arrange food items
• serve family
• clean up kitchen

* Supervise and consider age appropriateness for the task. Always supervise kids in the kitchen. You know your children the best.

An Invitation to Create Something Beautiful, Contribute, and Serve Others

An invitation to create is not necessarily about the product your child is making, it is about your child creating something beautiful and unique. Be warned when you provide an invitation to create for your children, they will most likely use all the ingredients and materials provided. Please only offer what you are okay with them using up.

Here are some ideas to encourage your children to create:

• offer skewers and let them build food patterns such as:
  • raspberry, blueberry, cheese
  • grape tomatoes and cheese
  • blueberries and watermelon star wand
• allow them to make a mini-board or arrangement on their own plate
• let them push a star cookie cutter into slices of watermelon
• create an American flag and other patriotic crafts to add to the tablescape

Three Fun Patriotic Craft Ideas for Kids

• Emily over at Crayons and Spice has a great patriotic craft: Patriotic Twine Stars.
• Rachael over at Mama of Minis has a fun Patriotic Party Popper for Kids.
• Michelle over at Crafty Morning has a perfect craft for even the tiniest patriot Pom Pom Flag Painting.

How to Make A Kid Friendly Patriotic Charcuterie Board?

Equipment

• large to medium platter or multiple small platters
• small bowls or ramekins
• festive cookie cutter, skewers, flags, etc, (optional but one of my favorite ways to add fun)

Ingredient List

• Red: watermelon, raspberries, sliced grape tomatoes, fresh mild salsa, pepperoni, deli meat
• White: mozzarella cheese, pita crackers, pretzels, popcorn
• Blue: blue tortilla chips, blueberries, blackberries, sliced dark grapes

* See the beginning of this post for more food ideas.

Step-By-Step Instructions to Build Your Own Kid-Friendly Charcuterie Board

1. First, select a sturdy board or platter for the foundation. Cutting boards work perfectly. Gather 2-3 small bowls or dishes to contain any dips or food that may roll away. These create structure.
2. Next, wash produce, cut grapes and cherry tomatoes, and slice cheese.
3. Then, arrange bowls on the platter and fill them with dips, spreads, and food items that may roll away.
4. Now, arrange chosen items, starting with the largest elements and ending with the smallest elements. And, ENJOY!

Tips for Kid-Friendly Patriotic Charcuterie Board

• Perishable food items should not sit at room temperature for more than two hours. If you plan to refill the board, keep a small container in the refrigerator filled with slice meats and cheeses ready to restock your board. 
• Cover the board with plastic wrap or place items in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. The time of freshness of each item will vary. Store crackers and chips at room temperature in an airtight container. 

Other Easy Kid-Friendly Recipes:

Easy Cheesy Black Bean Quesadilla

Get the Recipe HERE.

Easy Salsa Recipe for Kids: Tomatoes and Fruit

Get the Recipe HERE.

Easy Almond Butter Protein Bites for Kids: No Bake

Get the Recipe HERE.

Thanks for Stopping By!

Finally, I want to thank you for stopping by! Please say Hi in the comment section and share with me your favorite item on this patriotic charcuterie board for kids and the whole family. If you make this deliciously simple snack board, please leave a comment and give this recipe a star rating.

– With Great Joy, Katie

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