Snackster Sam Blog
Our recipes and activities are always Snackster Sam approved and kid approved.
 Make Snackster Sam come to life when you color him!
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You finally made it to the Blue Planet! Let’s create a snack that we can grow, eat, and share like Snackster Sam! What you need:
Welcome to the Green Planet! Can you place the birthday candle on the cake? What you need:
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Welcome to the Orange Planet! Be like a Jumping Jack and see how far you can jump!
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How far did you jump? How high can you jump with the popsicle stick between your knees? Welcome to Snackster Sam’s moon! Make an antenna hat just like Snackster Sam! Snackster Sam Antenna What you'll need:
Ready to throw a fun birthday party? Bring your party guests on an adventure with Snackster Sam! Before you start the party, invite everyone with Snackster Sam birthday invitations! The Moon
Optional: Before kicking off the party, consider reading Snackster Sam’s Big Adventure to the kids so they know what happens on each planet. You can set the party up in a variety of ways, such as in stations or guiding the group to the next activity. This may depend on their ages. We chose to guide the groups to each “planet” or activity. Keep reading for activity ideas for each planet! Orange Planet
Learn more about what foods are Snackster Sam approved and how to get kids to eat healthy with the list of Snackster Sam approved snacks. Green PlanetPin the Candle on the Cake Welcome to the Green Planet! Can you place the birthday candle on the cake?
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Red Planet
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Blue Planet
Now it's your turn!Looking to put a spin on your next birthday party? Go for it! Share your variations and activities in the comments below!
Not sure what the activities on each planet mean? The book makes it clear! Order Snackster Sam's Big Adventure. Join Snackster Sam on another big adventure with a birthday party! Get all the games, recipes, even templates to make Snackster Sam monster birthday invitations, and everything else you need to know! To gear up for the Snackster Sam birthday party, we created a fun and interactive invitation. You can make one too for your party! Grab your kids and download our free templates to create this adorable invitation.  What you need:
DirectionsFor each invitation, cut the purple craft paper to 6.5" wide (trim off two inches) using a paper cutter or scissors. Fold the purple paper into thirds, but ensure the top fold is approximately 1.5" from the bottom fold, as the image shows. Next, using the downloadable templates, cut out the shapes using the correct colored paper. Next, assemble the cut shapes onto the purple paper to make a Snackster Sam face. Glue the elements to the paper. Make sure to line up the teeth under each eyeball and the eyebrows over the eyeballs. For the eyeballs, off center the final white circle. For the black section under the tongue (not included in the template), simply trim the paper to 4" wide by 1.5" tall. Center the tongue over the black trimmed paper and glue it to the center of the inside fold of the purple paper, as shown. Next, assemble the antennas. Using the pipe cleaner, line up the ends of the pipe cleaner under each eyebrow. Puncture a hole through the purple paper using the pipe cleaner and pull it through.
Throw a Sugar-Free Kids' Birthday PartyLooking to put a spin on your next birthday party? Throw a Snackster Sam birthday party!
Snackster Sam is changing the tune on birthdays... Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you... No, not that tune. I'm talking about sugar overload. Cupcakes, cake, lollipops, and juice are birthday staples, but these treats have also become every day foods for many. Taking the sugar overload out of a birthday party doesn't take the fun out. In fact, it makes for an experience that all kids can enjoy, even if they suffer from juvenile diabetes, allergies, gluten sensitivities, and more. So let's throw a birthday party!  Throwing a Sugar-Free Kids' Birthday PartyMy daughter recently turned six, and she requested a Snackster Sam themed birthday party. Hosting birthday parties is one of my favorite parts of parenting. Growing up, we didn't have a lot... I knew I wasn't going to get the coolest, latest toy, but my mom always made sure we had an awesome birthday party. I mean she went all out. In 10th grade a classmate I barely spoke to came up to me and said, "remember that birthday party you had in 4th grade? That was the best birthday ever." Thanks, Mom. So ever since my daughter's first birthday, I've tried to live up to my Mom's birthday level. But this year was more fun than usual, because my daughter jumped into the planning process. She couldn't wait to see the book and Snackster Sam's Big Adventure come to life! Birthday Party ActivitiesFirst, as the guests arrived to the party, they received an antenna headband to look like Snackster Sam. This was a great way to greet the guests, and you can even add their name to the back (so the headband becomes a name tag). The headbands were a huge hit! After everyone arrived, we journeyed to the Orange Planet (just like Snackster Sam in Snackster Sam's Big Adventure). There, guests played a jumping game with lollipop sticks. If your guests haven't read the book, consider starting the party with a book reading of Snackster Sam's Big Adventure. Then we flew to the Green Planet and played pin the candle on the cake! The guests were blindfolded and spun six times (since it's a sixth birthday celebration) and had to try their best to get their candle on the cake. Next the guests experimented with colors and water on the Red Planet. There were a lot of unexpected surprises when the guests mixed different colors of water!  Finally, they landed on the Planet of Blue where they painted and decorated ceramic pots. After the pots were decorated, the guests planted a seed. This doubled as a party favor, as they each got to take their plant home! After the activities, we dug into Snackster Sam approved snacks! There was a three-tiered watermelon cake, apple lollipops, watermelon star juice, and more to dig into! All the guests ate a variety of their favorite snacks, tried new foods, and left with full bellies. Throw a Snackster Sam birthday party! Get the details of each activity here. Of course, no party would be complete without opening presents, singing that birthday tune, and a dance party! Things to Expect When You Remove Sugar at a BirthdayThis birthday is going to be a little different, and that's ok. There is no rulebook on birthdays that says you need cupcakes, pizza, and soda. Having a different menu is perfectly acceptable! However, expect at least one birthday guest to ask if there is going to be a certain food item. In all the parties I've hosted, no matter the theme, no matter the menu, there is always a guest who wanted something that wasn't provided. Don't worry about pleasing every developing child in the room. At the end of the day, the guests aren't missing out on anything, and they are gaining from eating nutritious foods and being with friends! Now it's your turn!Looking to put a spin on your next birthday party? Go for it! Share your variations and activities in the comments below! Not sure what the activities on each planet mean? The book makes it clear! Order Snackster Sam's Big Adventure. Stay tuned for the details on each planet's activity, instructions on making Snackster Sam monster birthday invitations, and everything else you need to know! Danielle is the mother of two and creator of Snackster Sam. She has been concerned about healthy habits and nutrition for over a decade, and conducted an award-winning scientific study on portion control. She created Snackster Sam to make eating healthy more fun for parents and children. Learn more about the mission here.
 Growing up, Easter was a big deal. I remember my mom would make edible Easter baskets and we would look for hard boiled eggs hidden across the yard (those are much harder to find when there is snow on the ground!). After we found the eggs, we would eat the eggs along with our edible baskets. My mom certainly went all out, but I am going to opt for an easier option.
I asked some friends what they were going to have an Easter that Snackster Sam would approve. They had brilliant ideas and gave me permission to share! Here are some ideas to have a candy-free Easter egg hunt:  Spring is in the air! It always arrives a little later than the calendar date in my neck of the woods. We are excited to see critters crawling and flying as trees bud, and life emerges from winter's grasp. What better way to discuss how creatures change than a lesson on caterpillars and butterflies! This lesson is reinforced with a Snackster Sam approved snack! Caterpillars and Watermelon Butterflies are incredibly easy to make (no worries about Pinterest fails) and will get children excited about eating and trying new fruits and vegetables. Things you'll need: Round Toothpicks Watermelon Grapes or Cherry Tomatoes Blueberries or Raisins
Feed your food curiosity! Snackster Sam provides fun and educational content about food that grows. Join the adventure. Download the Snackster Sam app from Google Play or the App Store!
 One great way to get picky eaters to try new foods is to let them create works of edible art! First, go to the grocery store with children in tow. Let them pick out some fruits and vegetables, and encourage them to try something new. (What's an ugli fruit? What about a pomegranate? Is Jicama a fruit or a vegetable and does it taste good?! -- There are so many fun things to try!) Try to choose fruits and vegetables that are in season. (TIP: Usually what's in season is also on sale) MONSTER SNACKS Items you'll need: Various fruits and/or vegetables Toothpicks Peanut butter or SunButter (if you have a peanut allergy) Raisins, googly eyes (get this at the craft store), blueberries, cranberries, or any small fruit, berry, or vegetable Directions: Cut up the fruits and vegetables you are using. Keep some items large. Spread out the food on the table with the other ingredients and invite the children to the table. Explain to the children that they can actually PLAY with their food! Using the toothpicks and adhesive (peanut butter or SunButter), create monsters, sculptures, and whatever they can imagine with the food. While they are working, talk about where and how each food grows. (This is especially fun if you purchased tropical fruits! Do you know how pineapples grow, for instance? Have Google nearby!) Use the small fruit or googly eyes to make the creature really come to life! When they are satisfied with their work of art, they can eat it! Picky eaters will be more excited to try their creation! Leftover creatures and structures can be placed in an airtight container and enjoyed the next day. Enjoy! Snackster Sam p.s. Check out these snack creations from our recent party! Free Download of Snackster Sam's Snacks! |
