Looking for a healthy fun snack for a party or for a special treat for the kids? These fun, buggy fruit kabobs for kids are the perfect solution! They look spectacular yet are easy to make for fruit-filled snacks your kids will gobble up!
As the weather is getting warmer, we are spending much more time outside and I am always trying to think of healthy snacks that we can prepare together ahead of time, that can easily be served outside.
These buggy fruit kabobs are one of my favorite fruit skewer ideas! They're the perfect solution for the kids and preparing them is a fun activity by itself!
My kids get so excited about making them. They will often try new fruits while we're making them and appear to be much more willing to experiment with food in fun shapes or creative presentations.
Other foods the kids enjoy making as well eating include, caramel apples, fresh fruit popsicles, or this sweet and tart cherry smoothie.
Add these fresh fruit skewers to any brunch or snack table to create a stunning display. They're perfect with oat flour pancakes or fresh Belgian waffles for breakfast!
So head to your farmers market or grocery store, pick up some seasonal fruit, and let's get started.
Ingredients
All you need are a handful of ingredients to make fruit on skewers into a fun, delicious treat!
Recommended Fruit
- Grapes
- Blueberries (I used pink lemonade blueberries!)
- Strawberries
- Honeydew melon
- Cantaloupe
- Apple
- Watermelon
- Banana
Supplies
- Wooden skewers
- Chocolate chips
- Edible flowers such as violas and pansies
- Fresh mint
How to Make Buggy Fruit Kabobs for Kids
These are easy to make in just a few simple, short steps.
- Start by melting the chocolate in the microwave on medium power in 15-second intervals until melted. Stir between each interval to prevent the chocolate from getting too hot.
- When the chocolate is melted, place it in a ziplock bag and cut a tiny piece off the corner. You will be using this to make the eyes, spots, wings, and insect legs, so make sure you only snip off a tiny corner.
- Now you're ready to cut the fruit and create desired different types of bugs!
Caterpillars: Place grapes or blueberries on the skewers in groups of five. Use the chocolate to make eyes.
Beetles: Cut a strawberry in half for the body and use a grape as the head. Use the chocolate to add eyes on the head and spots on the body.
To make the legs, place wax paper on a small plate and squeeze some chocolate onto the strawberry, continuing off the berry and slightly onto the wax paper. Be sure to make a nice, thick layer, and don’t make them too long. Short is easier to manage!
Flying Insects: Cut melon into a rectangular shape for the body. For the head, use a grape, blueberry, or melon cut in a small circle.
Use flowers or mint to make the wings. Pierce a hole in the side of the piece melon with the blunt end of a skewer. Place the flower or mint in the hole, and use the sharp side to secure it into place.
- Apple Crawlers: Slice an apple and cut a small v shape out of the bottom center of the fruit. Use grape or blueberry for a head, and accent the body with chocolate.
Serving
To serve my fun buggy fruit kabobs, I put them on a beautiful branch charger for an outdoor, buggy vibe. Try serving yours on a cheese platter, and place branches and leaves underneath.
You can also serve these with a small cup of fruit dip or yogurt for dunking. I love these fruit skewers with the sprinkles over the yogurt!
Storing
Refrigerator: Store these fruit kabobs covered in the refrigerator for a couple of days. They are best the day you make them.
Make ahead: Personally, I prefer to make these as close to the time of serving as possible. However, if you'd like to make them in advance here are a few tips!
- Cut fruit the night before but wait to assemble the skewers and decorate with the chocolate closer to serving time.
- Don't add the flowers or mint until right before you serve them. The flowers will wilt, and the mint easily browns with temperature change.
- If making ahead I recommend not using fruits that brown easily such as bananas and apples.
Expert Tips
- Use ripe fresh fruit that is in season for optimal nutrition and flavor.
- If you want your chocolate to set quickly, use chocolate melting wafers, or stick the bugs in the fridge for a few minutes.
- Note that the fruit will "sweat" a bit when removed from the fridge, so the chocolate may slip off. In most cases, I prefer to add the chocolate at the last minute.
- Add the edible flowers and mint just before serving.
- Dip apples and bananas in a bit of lemon water to slow down the oxidation which turns them brown!
FAQs
Any skewers will work to make these easy fruit kabobs such as wooden or bamboo skewers. You want them to be about 4-5 inches long to make most of the buggy fruit kabobs shown here. If smaller kids are helping to make them you might want to use popsicle sticks with a less pointy tip.
Yes, you can cut the fruit a day in advance and even assemble it on skewers. But it is best to add the final decorations as close to serving as possible. Cut fruits that easily oxidize closer to the time of serving to prevent them from turning brown.
It is not necessary to soak the wooden skewers as they won't be cooked on a grill.
The easiest way to keep fruit kabobs from turning brown is to avoid fruits that oxidize easily such as apples, bananas, and peaches. If you do plan to use these fruits, cut as close to the time you plan to serve or you can also place them in water with lemon juice for just a few seconds before making the fruit kabobs to slow down the time it takes for them to brown.
More Fun Fruit Recipes
Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card right below! You can also write a review in the comment section further down the page I always appreciate your feedback. And don’t forget to tag me @freshcoasteats in your photos on social media, I'd love to see your results!
Buggy Fruit Kabobs for Kids
Equipment
- Wooden skewers
- Small plastic bag
Ingredients
- 6 cups assorted fruit grapes, blueberries, strawberries, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, apple, watermelon, banana
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 1 package edible flowers such as violas and pansies optional
- 1 bunch fresh mint optional
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave on medium power in 15-second intervals until melted. Stir between each interval to prevent the chocolate from getting too hot.
- Place melted chocolate in a ziplock bag and cut a tiny piece off the corner. You will be using this to make the eyes, spots, wings, and insect legs, so make sure you only snip off a tiny corner.
Caterpillars
- Place grapes or blueberries on the skewers in groups of five. Use the chocolate to make eyes.
Beetles
- Cut a strawberry in half for the body and use a grape as the head. Use the chocolate to add eyes on the head and spots on the body.
- To make the legs, place wax paper on a small plate and squeeze some chocolate onto the strawberry, continuing off the berry and slightly onto the wax paper. Be sure to make a nice, thick layer, and don’t make them too long. Short is easier to manage!
Flying Insects
- Cut melon into a rectangular shape for the body. For the head, use a grape, blueberry, or melon cut in a small circle.
- Use flowers or mint to make the wings. Pierce a hole in the side of the piece melon with the blunt end of a skewer. Place the flower or mint in the hole, and use the sharp side to secure it into place.
Apple Crawlers
- Slice an apple and cut a small v shape out of the bottom center of the fruit. Use grape or blueberry for a head, and accent the body with chocolate.