Nothing says summer quite like food on a stick. And from simple starters to lunch ideas and hearty main dishes, every one of these mouthwatering recipes belongs on your summer bucket list.

Tomato, Watermelon and Basil Skewers

Giada De Laurentiis puts summer on a stick with these sweet and tangy skewers drizzled with a touch of balsamic vinegar.

4th of July Fruit Skewer Flag

Doing double duty as decoration and as fruit on the go, these fruit skewers are an annual event in our house.

Fish Skewers with Basil Chimichurri

I’m always looking for interesting ways to serve fish to my crew, and this one is next on my list. With thick chunks of fish slathered in fresh basil sauce, this light dinner sounds ideal for hot summer nights.

Grilled Herb Shrimp

Ina Garten marinates the shrimp in a parsley-basil mixture laced with mustard, then quickly grills them on skewers.

5-Minute Meatball Skewers

Looking for a simple starter or an easy lunch for kids? Put premade meatballs to work! Slide them onto a stick, along with any combination of hamburger toppings, for a delicious treat in minutes.

Italian Sausage Skewers

When you combine chunks of sweet Italian sausage on a stick with pineapple and red peppers, the result could be breakfast, but we also like the idea for lunch, or dinner, or a snack, or …

Ree Drummond’s Tortellini Skewers

How about cheesy pasta on a stick? Pared with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella cheese, it’s a surprisingly filling vegetarian option.

Marinated Feta and Olive Skewers

Another cold skewer for hot days: Simply pop rich chunks of feta and salty olives on a toothpick. It’s a small but mighty punch of flavor!

Pork & Pineapple Kebabs

Got Hawaiian-pizza fans? They’ll love the sweet flavors of these pork and pineapple kebabs.

Ina Garten’s Grilled Lemon Chicken

Here we have tangy lemon chicken grilled to smoky perfection. It really doesn’t get better than this.

Sandwiches on a Stick

No grill needed here! Just thread your favorite hoagie fixins on a skewer for a make-ahead lunch kids love.

Sausage-and-Pepper Skewers

This classic combination from Food Network Magazine, usually found on a sandwich bun, finally makes its way to a skewer. And the results? Delicious.

Garlic-Mustard Grilled Beef Skewers

This no-fuss recipe involves only two things: strips of beef and a simple marinade so good you’ll want to double it — so you can make the whole thing again ASAP.

Arrosticini: Meat on a Stick (a.k.a. The Easiest Sell to Kids, Ever)

When we lived in Italy, I’d buy these lamb or beef kebabs already threaded onto skewers. All it took at home was a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and fresh rosemary to produce a dinner everyone in my (then very young) family still remembers.

Strawberry Shortcake Skewers

Craving dessert? We’ve got just the thing. Here the classic summertime dessert gets a skewer upgrade. Bonus: This is ready to eat in 15 minutes, thanks to prepared pound cake.

Charity Curley Mathews is a mom of four small kids who can’t resist food on a stick. She’s also the founder of Foodlets.com, a site full of simple recipes using fresh ingredients, plus ideas for teaching kids to love eating all that fresh food together. Most of the time.