If you’re planning an Independence Day celebration for friends and family this summer but have a picky eater or two in the family, consider 4th of July dessert ideas you can make with your kids. Choose options you know they’ll love that won’t take much energy or preparation on your part. You’ll likely have a lot going on as you prepare to host a party for the first time since COVID-19, so take the pressure off and keep your 4th of July desserts easy and quick.
Getting kids cooking and preparing meals in the kitchen can help create adventurous eaters. “Kids may need to have frequent joyful experiences involving food to overcome the anxiety they may have around tasting the unfamiliar,” the American Academy of Pediatrics notes on its website. “Over time, cooking with your children can help build that confidence — and provide rich sensory experiences.”
4th of July dessert ideas using boxed mixes
No-bake desserts for kids
Skip the baking altogether with one of these simple 4th of July dessert ideas you and the kids can put together with little to no prep.
- Red, White & Blue Ice Cream Sandwiches: It doesn’t get much easier than store-bought ice cream sandwiches. Add a few sprinkles and this festive dessert comes together in just a few minutes. If you’re looking for gluten-free kids desserts, try the highly rated FatBoy brand gluten-free ice cream sandwiches.
- Tasty Bald Eagles Snacks: The kids are going to love assembling this American Bald Eagle snack. If your kids like coconut and cashews this adorable bald eagle, no-bake treat will be a hit. Make the treat and read, Bailey the Bald Eagle and the Great Flight, an encouraging children’s book about strength and facing your fears.
- Red, White, and Blue Mini Pavlovas: With just about five minutes of prep time, your crew can put together these colorful no-bake desserts – from the site Budget Delicious – with little assistance. Their recipe includes this mouth watering description: “Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert which is chewy crispy on the outside yet light and marshmallowy on the inside that is usually topped with cream and fruit.”
- Red, White, and Blueberry Pound Cake Bites: Grab a premade pound cake from the grocery store to make this kid-friendly dessert even easier. This one is perfect for even the youngest of helpers. For added fun, incorporated it into a patriotic poetry tea time snack.
- Patriotic Dessert Lasagna: This patriotic dessert is perfect for the kids to make because there is no baking and little prep involved! This recipe could double as an educational “following-directions” activity for your kids; simply print out the recipe for them and have them follow the step-by-step instructions to assemble each layer of this decadent 4th of July dessert.
