Can you feel it? There’s something in the air. The days are longer, the sun is warmer, and somewhere out there underneath the accumulated snow and frost, spring is springing! It’s been a long, dark winter and we couldn’t be more ready for the seasons to change. Spring means warmer weather, new growth, and best of all, more delicious fruits and veggies to incorporate into our kids’ daily eats! Spring produce is bright, vibrant, and so versatile, and it’s beyond easy to work some of these spring stars into your children’s diet. 

Here are our favorite ways to eat the rainbow in springtime. 

Carrots

What’s up, doc? Yes, yes, carrots can be grown and harvested year-round in temperate climates, but they really hit their stride during the spring season—particularly baby carrots! Baby or big, carrots are a powerhouse source of vitamin A and beta carotene, so get them in whatever size works. Their sweet and mild flavor means carrots pair well with a variety of ingredients and make them a hit with the small human crowd. Little Spoon plays up that perfect pairing in Babyblends like Carrot Apple Ginger and Apple Cinnamon Buckwheat Crumble. Their hearty texture also makes them perfect in baked foods, like the sweet potato carrot poppers on Little Spoon’s Broccoli Bites Plate. 

Peas

Few vegetables are as “springy” as the delectable sweet pea, They’re just so lovely and delicate! Plus, shelled peas are just about the perfect finger food for new-to-whole foods kiddos. We’re big fans of using peas in just about anything when they’re in peak season, which starts in spring and continues through the summer in some climates. Not only are they delicious, they’re also an excellent source of fiber and nutrients that promote good eye health. So make peas a regular part of your kids’ meal times. Little Spoon’s Pea Pear Mint Babyblend is a great introduction for wee babes. For older kiddos, consider mixing them into other sides, like the quinoa stir fry in our Chicken Teriyaki or Chicken Pot Stickers Plates. 

Rhubarb

Don’t sleep on rhubarb—this veggie that thinks it’s a fruit is full of potential and nutrients! It may not be a staple in your mini’s diet yet, but we urge you to reconsider. The leaves of the rhubarb plant can’t be eaten, but the gorgeous pinkish-red stalks can be used in a variety of ways. Plus, it’s a great source of fiber and vitamin K, so your little one will be reaping all sorts of benefits. The flesh of the stalk has a slightly bitter flavor, but when paired with really sweet ingredients like berries, the combo is pure magic. It makes sense then that Little Spoon’s Limited Edition Strawberry Rhubarb blend is one of the most popular blends on the menu. 

Spinach

Popeye wasn’t wrong—eating lots of spinach CAN make you grow big and strong! Probably because spinach is like some kind of nutritional magician. Basically, if there’s a vitamin or nutrient your kids need, spinach has it. Vitamins A, C, and K1, folic acid, iron, calcium—the list goes on! Spinach is grown year-round in some climates, but really comes into all its glory during the spring months. Kiddos a little green veg shy? Not to worry. Little Spoon includes spinach in lots of their foods, so you can make sure they’re getting the good greens without putting up a fight. Picky eater fave Tropical Greens and Turkey Kale Sliders are perfect for tiny tots. For bigger eaters, play sneaky sneaky with the Spinach and Cheese Ravioli or Three Cheese Tortellini Plates—with the leafy green mixed into foods they love, your kiddo will be none the wiser. 

Strawberries

If there’s one quintessential spring fruit, it’s got to be strawberries. When we see those big red berries, we know warmer, sunnier days are ahead! And really, is there anything cuter than a kid going to town on a big juicy strawberry? They’re certainly one fruit you’ll never have to fight to get your kids to eat, and you can rest easy that nature’s candy is good for them because they’re bursting with fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. Add some bright berry love to your baby’s diet with Little Spoon’s Strawberry Banana Shake, or their Strawberry Basil Beet Pear Chia blend.