Santa Caricature Christmas Veggie Tray
The holiday season is a perfect time to bring creativity into your homeschool kitchen. This Christmas Veggie Tray is not just a healthy snack; it’s a fun, hands-on activity that your kids will love–making their very own Santa Caricature with a variety of healthy foods!
Whether you’re teaching lessons on nutrition, working on art skills, or simply making memories, this project is full of holiday cheer.
Why Making This Christmas Veggie Tray is Perfect for the Season
- Creative and Educational: Kids can explore shapes, colors, and textures while assembling Santa’s iconic features.
- Nutritious and Delicious: Packed with fresh veggies, hummus, and chickpeas, this board offers a healthy snack option amidst the usual holiday treats. (Please tell me I’m not the only one who eats WAY TOO MANY sweets during the month of December.)
- Family Bonding: Get the whole family involved and enjoy quality time together.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Kale (4-5 leaves)
- Rosemary (4-5 sprigs)
- Red pepper (a couple of pieces)
- Olives (1 cup)
- Olives with chili (1 cup)
- Cauliflower (1½ cups)
- Broccoli (1 cup)
- Hummus (¾ cup)
- Breaded chickpeas (1 cup)
- Roasted chickpeas in white glaze (1 cup)
- Cherry tomatoes (1 cup)
Step-by-Step Instructions for your “Santa” Christmas Veggie Tray
Set the Base
Spread hummus onto a small plate. This is Santa’s “face.” Shape a smile using red pepper slices. Add olive “eyes” and a cherry tomato “nose.”
Craft the Beard and Hat
Use cauliflower florets to make Santa’s fluffy beard. For the hat’s headband, line up white-glazed chickpeas. Top the hat with cherry tomatoes for the main part and a single white chickpea as the pom-pom.
Add the Details
Arrange broccoli, kale, and green olives on either side to represent a festive background.
Sprinkle in breaded chickpeas and rosemary sprigs for extra texture and color.
Serve and Enjoy
Stand back and admire your veggie Santa! Then, dig in with the kids while discussing Christmas traditions or reading a festive story.
Tips for Homeschool Moms
- Incorporate Lessons: Teach kids about the nutritional benefits of each ingredient as they work.
- Add a Literature Tie-In: Pair this activity with a Santa-themed storybook, such as Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend.
- Make It a Party: Host a homeschool Christmas gathering and let the kids show off their culinary creations. You can have a blast making other seasonal treats like these cute Santa Wafers or Christmas Oreos.
Christmas Veggie Tray
Description
This Christmas Veggie Tray is not just a healthy snack; it’s a fun, hands-on activity that your kids will love!
Ingredients
- 4–5 leaves of kale
- 4–5 sprigs of rosemary
- Red pepper – a couple of pieces
- 1 cup olives
- 1 cup olives with chili
- 1 ½ cups cauliflower
- 1 cup broccoli
- 34 cup hummus
- 1 cup breaded chickpeas
- 1 cup roasted chickpeas in white glaze
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
Instructions
- Place the hummus on a small plate. Form a smile from red peppers. Add eyes using olives and a nose from cherry tomatoes.
- Make a beard out of cauliflower. The headband of the hat is made of chickpeas in white glaze.
- Use cherry tomatoes for the cap, and a white chickpea for the cap tip.
- Place broccoli, kale, and green olives on the side.
- Add the breaded chickpeas, olives, and rosemary sprigs. Serve chilled.
