Skip to main content
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  • Visit
    • Visit the University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  • Apply
    • Apply to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  • Give
    • Give to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Log In
Search

Search Form

Nebraska Extension
UNL Food
Search
Log In
  • About
    • Terms of Use
  • Eat Healthy
    • Recipes
    • Budget Friendly
    • Cooking Tips
    • Seasonal Produce
    • Meal Prep
    • Cooking with Kids
  • Move More
    • Adults
    • Kids and Teens
    • Older Adults
    • Pregnant and Postpartum Women
    • Preschool-Aged Children
    • Workouts
  • Keep Food Safe
    • Food Preservation
    • Foodborne Illness
    • Handwashing
    • Home Food Storage Chart
    • Power Outage
    • Safe Cooking Temperatures
  • Free Resources
    • Activities
    • Articles
    • Food Calendar
    • Newsletters
    • Posters
    • Presentations
    • Videos
  • Programs
    • Exploring the Science of Food
    • Food in the Field
    • Go NAPSACC
    • Growing Together Nebraska
    • Husker Performance
    • Marathon Kids
    • Nebraska Extension ServSafe® Training
    • Nutrition Education Program
    • Nutrition School Enrichment Kits
    • Sleepless in Nebraska
    • Smart Health: Tools for Managing Hypertension
  1. Nebraska
  2. IANR
  3. Nebraska Extension
  4. UNL Food
  5. Free Resources
  6. Newsletters
  7. Food Fun for Young Children
  8. Spring Contrasts

Spring Contrasts

Spring Contrasts
Share
Share
Tweet
Email
Provide Feedback Download Handout
spring blooms on a tree

Spring is a time for contrasts. It can be bitterly cold one day, and the next, a beautiful spring day. Plants go from being dormant, to green and growing overnight. Some spring days are rainy, while others are dry. It is a good time to help your child understand what makes things contrasting.

A great way for them to learn is to have them try different "contrasting" snacks. Think of pairing foods that are salty and sweet, smooth and crunchy, dark and light colored, hot and cold, or maybe even different shapes. Enjoy family time together creating some of these contrasting snacks:

  • Salty pretzels dipped in sweet yogurt
  • Hot cocoa with frozen banana slices
  • Layer red strawberries with vanilla yogurt for a contrasting parfait
  • Various shaped cereal mixed together (circles, triangles, squares)
contrast snack mix
Photo provided by Cami Wells.

Contrast Snack Mix

Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients:
  • 2 cups crunchy oat cereal (circle shaped)
  • ½ cup raisins or dried cranberries
  • ½ cup other dried fruit such as blueberries or cherries
  • 1 cup small square crackers
  • ½ cup candy coated dark chocolate pieces or chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Mix together and store in an air tight container or put ½ cup portions into zip top bags.
Notes:

Peanuts, almonds or other nuts would also be great additions to this snack mix if serving to children older than 4 years of age who are at less risk of choking.

Nutrition Information:

  • Calories: 130
  • Total Fat: 2.5g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.5g
  • Sodium: 95mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 26g
  • Fiber: 1g, includes 6g Added Sugars
  • Protein: 2g
  • Calcium: 4%
  • Potassium: 4%
Nutrition Software Used: ESHA Food Processor

This newsletter has been peer-reviewed. It was reviewed and updated in 2025.

Tags:

children snack spring

Feedback Form

Was this article helpful to you?
How will you share the article?

Related Articles

packed lunch with apple, wrap and water Tips for Packing Healthy Lunches for School
preschoolers playing in the gym Physical Activity for Preschool-Aged Children
kids playing soccer Physical Activity for Kids and Teens
kids showing their muscles Nutrition and Physical Activity Bingo Cards

Related Recipes

berries-and-bunnies Berries and Bunnies
Banana in a blanket Banana in a Blanket
Bunny face shaped with fruit Bunny Face
Bunny face shaped with fruit Bunny Face

Contact us

https:// www.unl.edu
https:// www.unl.edu
https:// www.unl.edu
https:// www.unl.edu
Email
food@unl.edu
https:// www.unl.edu
https:// www.unl.edu

Related links

  • Food Science and Technology Department
  • Nutrition and Health Sciences Department
  • Animal Science Department
  • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
  • National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
  • MyPlate

Campus Links

  • Directory
  • Employment
  • Events
  • Libraries
  • Maps
  • News
  • Office of the Chancellor
  • Report an Incident

Policies & Reports

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Institutional Equity and Compliance
  • Notice of Nondiscrimination
  • Privacy Policy
  • Safety at Nebraska
  • Student Information Disclosures
UNL web framework and quality assurance provided by the Web Developer Network · QA Test
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Established 1869 · Copyright 2025