Spring is finally here and the temperature is steadily beginning to warm up. The frost begins to thaw and the patio furniture gets put out to enjoy the warm days and cool nights. It’s also that time for fun spring and summer parties, so time to break out the food. Fruits and vegetables usually get looked over on the way to the main meal, but with these fun ideas fruit and vegetables don’t have to be just another filler food at your table. Here are some fun food ideas you can try to entertain the kids or to try at your spring and summer get togethers.

FRUIT KABOBS

Fruit kabobs are a great idea for presentation and color for your party guests or kids. You can use any fruit you wish and can use different cheeses if you want to get a little fancy with it. You can also reverse the order in which you put the fruit on the skewer, and dip the bottom of the strawberry in chocolate if you want to indulge a bit.

FRUIT PARFAITS

Fruit Parfaits  are an easy setup for a healthy meal. I usually go with strawberries, bananas, blueberries, with a little granola on top, but you can go with really any fruit you have. Just add some nonfat yogurt and you got yourself a great versatile dish.

APPETIZER TREE

If you are feeling like an overachiever and want to go for presentation to impress the party guests. Try an Appetizer Tree. You need a Styrofoam cone, toothpicks, and fruit, vegetables, and cheese of your choice. Your guests are sure to take notice of this towering dish.

FRUIT ICE POPS

Fruit Ice Pops are perfect for those sweltering hot days. Leave it to Martha Stewart for coming up with this gem. Arrange each fruit in eight 3-ounce ice-pop molds, making sure pieces fit very snugly. Pour enough juice into each mold to just cover fruit. Insert ice-pop sticks and freeze until solid, 6 hours (or up to 2 weeks). Not to mention when it’s all said and done it’s pretty cool looking.

Find the full recipe here.