Healthy Kids' Allergy-Free Class Treats

It's back-to-school time again, and for anyone who has young children with food allergies, like I do, it can be a challenge navigating all the occasions for families to celebrate birthdays and other special events by bringing treats for the class to school. Many kids have food allergies and sensitivities to things like gluten, dairy, nuts, and eggs, and traditional class treats like cupcakes and cookies can be problematic. Many schools are nut-free facilities as well. I prepared this list of easy and healthy treat ideas for my daughter's class to share with other parents. They are free of gluten, dairy, nuts, eggs, corn and soy and are low in sugar.

•  fruit kebabs 
• dark chocolate dipped strawberries
• dark chocolate dipped bananas
• coconut date rolls
• apple slices with sunflower seed butter
• 100% fruit leather
• applesauce cups or fruit squeeze 
• sliced watermelon
• pure fruit popsicles or made with coconut milk
• KIND pressed fruit & seed bars (nut-free)
• “ants on a log” celery with sunflower seed butter & raisins or dried cherries
• dried fruit trail mix cups with pumpkin seeds

Tips for store-bought items: always read labels and look for added sugars and artificial food colorings, which can cause hyperactivity in some children. Happy celebrating!