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3 Festive CACFP Build-Your-Own Snacks

December 15, 2025
Molly Turnquist Butala, MPH, RDN, LD, CMP, CCNP, Nutrition Manager



Looking for ways to celebrate the holiday season while providing healthy snacks to children in your care? Try these CACFP-approved holiday build-your-own snacks, featuring whole grain-rich foods!

 

3 Holiday Snacks

 

Rudolph Crackers
A jolly snack with whole grain-rich crackers and fruity red noses!
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Wheat Thins (or store brand alternative): 6 each (ages 1-5); 12 each (ages 6+)
Raisins: ¼ cup each (ages 1-5); ⅜ cup (ages 6+)
Peanut Butter or Alternative Nut/Seed Butter: 1-2 teaspoons each
Raspberries: 1 per cracker (for that classic Rudolph nose!)
Pretzel Twists: ½ per cracker (for antlers)

Once everything is prepped, let the kids turn each cracker into Santa’s most famous sidekick: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Sticky noses, silly antlers, and lots of giggles guaranteed.

Whole Grain Tip: Most store brand “thin wheats” are whole grain-rich and can be used in place of name brand Wheat Thins. Be sure to check the label to make sure the first ingredient is a whole grain and the rest of the grains (if any) are enriched, whole, bran, or germ.



Penguin Toast
A cool-weather snack that waddles right into kids’ hearts. This wintery bite features whole grain toast as the grain component and a hard-boiled egg for the meat/meat alternate.
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Hard-Boiled Eggs: ½ each (ages 1-5); 1 each for (ages 6+)
Whole wheat bread, toasted: 1 slice each (ages 1-5); 1 ½ slices each (ages 6+)
Black Olives, sliced lengthwise twice: 1-2 each
Carrots, shredded or cut into small sticks: a few pieces each

The black olives and carrot sticks are used to create this adorable penguin’s wings, eyes, and beak.



Tortilla Cut-Outs
Holiday shapes + build-your-own decorating = festive fun! These customizable tortilla shapes use whole wheat tortillas as the grain component and shredded cheese as the meat/meat alternate.
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Whole Wheat Tortillas, taco size: ½ each (ages 1-5); 1 each (ages 6+)
Shredded Cheese: ¼ cup (½ oz.) each (ages 1-5); ½ cup (2 oz.) (ages 6+)
Guacamole or Mashed Avocado: 1-2 Tablespoons each
Diced Red Peppers: 2-3 Tablespoons each

Use cookie cutters to cut the tortillas into holiday shapes. The guacamole/avocado and red peppers are used to decorate the tortilla cut-outs into classic holiday colors.



Looking for more ideas or have some of your own? Please share your festive creations and tag Providers Choice on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!

Questions? Reach out! We love working with providers and are dedicated to supporting you.