A friend of mine recently asked for help in getting her kids more involved in helping with dinner. They were most appreciative of their mom’s meals, but thought the cooking process was just plain boring.

One idea immediately sprung into my head--a skewer meal! Growing up, these were my absolute favorite meals to help prepare. I loved creating all kinds of skewers such as veggie, fruit, chicken and dessert. My mom let me get as creative as I wanted, and she had help with dinner at the same time!

Here are some skewer recipes that I loved making as a child, and still enjoy today.

For each recipe, simply place each of the ingredients in separate bowls along side the skewers. Let your child go to town creating his or her skewer delight!

Veggie Skewers for Snacks:

Wooden skewers
2 peeled and sliced cucumbers
2 boxes of cherry or grape tomatoes
1 bag of fresh carrots, sliced
1 cup of Ranch or Italian dressing for dipping

Veggie Skewers for the Grill:

Grill safe skewers
2 zucchini, sliced
2 squash, sliced
2 Onions, cut into chunks

After skewers are assembled, grill over low heat until cooked through.

Fruit Skewers:

Wooden skewers
1 large bag of grapes
2 boxes of strawberries, sliced
2 large oranges, sliced

You can add any other fresh fruit your family enjoys.

Chicken Skewers for the Grill:

Grill safe skewers
Boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped into pieces (or purchase the boneless skinless strips to cut down on chopping).
Your favorite marinade (I love teriyaki or barbecue flavor).

Steps:

Cut chicken into bite size pieces and combine with marinade in plastic bag.
Chill for one hour.
Place chicken pieces on grill safe skewers
Grill on low ten minutes, turning once.

Note: If your family likes different types of marinade, you can do a few skewers of each marinade. Always throw out leftover marinade, and use fresh if you need any extra for dipping.

Seafood Skewers for the Grill:

Grill safe skewers
1 lb shrimp
2 thick tuna steaks

Steps:

Place shrimp and chunks of tuna on skewers.
Grill over medium low heat until cooked through.
Serve with your favorite cocktail or seafood sauce.

Chocolate Strawberry Dessert Skewers:

Wooden Skewers
Strawberries
Hot Fudge Sauce

Steps:

Slice ends off strawberries and place on skewers.
Warm the hot fudge sauce, and then pour in baking dish.
Roll skewer back and forth through the hot fudge and serve at once.

Enjoy your skewer meals!