apple cinnamon Archives - Protecting Your Pennies

Real (freeze dried) apples, cereal, and notes of cinnamon make up this simple to assemble Apple cinnamon trail mix.

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Back to school is just around the corner and I have had apples on the brain. The grocery store is gearing up with all their apple flavored snacks and I even saw some pumpkin spice out today. Fall is coming ya’ll! So while I was shopping, all of those new apple cinnamon products were calling my name. I picked up a few things to create this super simple apple cinnamon trail mix.

So, you know the trail mixes at Christmas that everyone seems to make? It is very yummy but you have to turn on an oven or a crockpot, melt butter, mix everything up, wash a dish. You get my point – it is time consuming and best if someone gifts it to you! I know that probably sounds lazy but sometimes we just need a simple treat.

This apple cinnamon trail mix is a fun, seasonal treat without a lot of fuss. It is no cook and so simple your kids can assemble it.

Apple Cinnamon Trail Mix

A snack mix is fun because you can easily add or subtract ingredients without having to worry about a recipe. Find another apple or cinnamon item, throw in a handful or two. Hate something shown? Just omit it. Easy as pie.

Shopping List:

Apple Cinnamon Cheerios

Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Freeze Dried Apples

Cinnamon Apple Straws (Aldi)

Mini Bear Grahams Apple Cinnamon (Aldi)

If you wanted to add in something extra, some white chocolate chips would be great. If your kids eat nuts, I think cashews would be a great addition to this apple cinnamon trail mix.

Assemble The Snack Mix

Add one cup of each item into a large bowl. I measured out a cup of each but when I make more, the handful method will be used!

Once you have all your items in the bowl gently mix to combine. I just used my hands but you could use a plastic spoon or spatula.

Store in a large ziplock bag. I am going to test out how the Freeze dried apples do with the rest of the crunchy items and will update in a day or two!

I had a disaster last year with my apple cinnamon trail mix so I just want to make sure that does not happen again. And in case you see the cute, apple shaped fruit snacks at the store that I saw, do NOT add them to your crunchy mix. The moisture in the gummy treat will make your crunchy items taste stale within a day or two. I am hoping that the freeze dried fruit doesn’t do that.

Update The freeze dried apples did just fine. After two days, everything is still crunchy and delicious.

The apple cinnamon trail mix is also a tasty back to school classroom treat. Add 1 cup or 1.5 cups to a clear favor bag, attach a super cute apple label, write “Apple Cinnamon Trail Mix” on your label, and tie it up with a red ribbon.

Need some more Fall & Apple in your life? Check out this fun Apple Cinnamon and Oatmeal Sensory Bin.

Fun Apple Finds:

It may still be 9,000 degrees outside, but that is not stopping me from dreaming of Fall. This fun apple cinnamon oatmeal sensory bin presents kids with an open invitation to play with Fall inspired items.

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Sensory bins are great for their educational benefits. But do you know why I really love them? They are usually very quick to set up (as a mom, you need that right?). The bins can usually be made with things you have on hand or with just a couple of small purchases. And the absolute best part is that they entertain! It will keep your little one busy while you do something on your long To Do List.

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Sensory Bin Contents

I found most of these things at home or at the Dollar Tree. Sensory bins are also great because you don’t have to have exactly what I used. Just use this as a guide and get creative with what you have at home.

In our apple cinnamon oatmeal sensory bin you will find:

Container – I use a dish bucket from the Dollar Tree for most of my sensory activities.

Oatmeal

Play Apples

Various measuring cups / funnels

Play spoon, bowl, skillet (From my daughter’s Play kitchen)

Shovel/Strainer/Rake (These were Dollar Tree sand toys that I threw in)

Apple Cutting board (from Dollar Tree)

Sprinkle of Cinnamon & Allspice

Magnet Letters

Plastic Tablecloth

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Sensory Bin Set Up

Setting up this sensory bin is as easy as (apple) pie. Forgive me, I hang out with a 4 year old and an 8 month old all day! It really is simple and will give you time to do some work or maybe relax for a few minutes. Of course, with all sensory bins, you should gauge your child’s maturity and provide proper supervision.

Spread out a big plastic tablecloth or towel if you are doing this inside. I love using plastic tablecloths for all types of messy play activities. Grab your bucket and dump some oatmeal in. If this is killing your OCD perfectionist self, I understand. I would rather someone tell me to add 57.2 ounces than to tell me to “dump” something. I promise, it will be fine. Just dump some in. It doesn’t need to be precise. We are going for quick and easy with this sensory bin.

Sprinkle a little cinnamon and allspice in with your oats. Just enough so that you can smell the spices which will add to the sensory experience for your kids. Mix the oats and spices together. Remember to have them smell and describe it while playing!

Stick the apples, measuring utensils, and other items in with the oatmeal and present it to your kids. My girl made apple pies, dug around in the mixture, and let the oatmeal fall through the funnel.

I also wrote out the word “apple” on a piece of paper. She then matched the magnet letters to the letters that I had written for some alphabet recognition practice.

I hope your toddler or preschooler will enjoy this fall inspired apple cinnamon oatmeal sensory play activity! If you have a baby, check out this 10 second setup baby sensory activity. Do your kids love sensory bins?

apple cinnamon