Many kids with autism love to cook and bake, especially tasty treats. For the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, we’re sharing four yummy yet healthy treats to make with your kids as you celebrate the birth of the nation, with the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.

Want to explore the history of the holiday with your child? Try this short but fascinating account from National Geographic Kids.

Patriotic Yogurt Bites

If your child is one of many who loves fruit and yogurt, this is an easy recipe that is fun for the whole family to make. As a bonus, it’s a cold treat to help you cool off on a hot summer day.

Simply dice some strawberries and halve some blueberries in advance. Your child can then drop the fruit into silicon molds or an ice-cube tray and cover the fruit with Greek yogurt. Put the molds or trays in the freezer for two hours, and they’re ready to eat as a delicious, cool treat.

Fruit Sparklers

Perfect for kids who might not want to play with the real thing, Fruit Sparklers are adorable and tasty.  Best of all, the star shapes are fun for your kids to cut out with a cookie cutter. Slice watermelon into one-inch slices and help your child use a star cookie cutter to cut out the shapes. Push the blueberries and then the watermelon onto a skewer, and you have a delightful sparkler treat, without any actual fire.

Red, White, and Blueberry Trifle

For families who aren’t afraid of a longer recipe, this Red, White, and Blueberry Trifle is simple enough to make it a stress-free cooking adventure. Pick a red fruit (like strawberries or raspberries), a blue fruit (blueberries or blackberries), and buy some angel food cake, pudding, and whipped cream. The fun part, here, is all in the assembly.

Patriotic Popcorn

Of course, kids who do not eat fruit deserve some fun on Fourth of July. While this recipe involves a bit more sugar, it offers a fun, colorful, and scrumptious way to spice up popcorn. Just pop some corn, add a handful of marshmallows while the popcorn is hot, and toss in your child’s favorite red and blue candy. Yum!

For a variation of Patriotic Popcorn, without as much sugar, try this Festive Kettle Corn recipe.

For more on summer fun and safety with your child, read “5 Steps to Swim Safety for Your Child with Autism.”