The kids are heading back to school, which means it's time to get back into the snack time routine during and after school. Discover an array of great ideas for healthy and easy back-to-school snacks, and suggestions for convenient prepackaged snacks to toss in their lunch box as well.
Fun Back-to-School Snacks for Kindergarteners
Getting your kindergarteners into the back-to-school vibe can be difficult. Add a sprinkle of fun to their lunch box with a few delicious snacks for kids... and toss a positive affirmation note in their school lunch to put some pep in their step.
Fruit Kabobs
Kabobs are enjoyable for everyone. Grab some fruit (think grapes, blueberries, raspberries, small strawberries, cantaloupe and pineapple chunks) and a few toothpicks or small skewers. Cut the fruit into small pieces when necessary and skewer it. Place the kabobs in a sealed container for a simple snack.
Fruit Chips
Apples and bananas make great dehydrated snacks. Cut them into slices and throw them in the dehydrator or air fryer.
Apple Cookies
Healthy snacks are all the rage in the kindergarten class. Keep your cookies healthy by making them out of apples. Slice an apple. Add a bit of Nutella or nut butter if there are no nut allergies in your child's class. Sprinkle a bit of granola or chocolate chips on top.
Celery Critters
Make a fun, cute snack for your kid's lunch box by adding a celery critter. Cut celery into small sticks. Fill the center with peanut butter or cream cheese. Add raisin eyes and break up some pretzels to make wings by sticking them into the peanut butter.
Banana Boats
Banana boats can be pretty fun. Slice a banana in half lengthwise. Cover it in chocolate spread, Nutella, or peanut butter. Add a few sprinkles for color.
Fruit on a Stick
Create a healthy popsicle for kids to snack on. Grab a strawberry or half a banana. Pop it on a stick. Roll the fruit in an allergy-friendly butter like Nutella. Add sprinkles, chocolate chips, or oats. It's a delicious snack on a stick.
Granola Bars
While you can buy granola bars from the store, you can also make your own at home. Try creating an organic chocolate chip granola bar. You can wrap them in colored plastic wrap.
Mini Muffins
Preschoolers and kindergarteners love muffins. Create a few yummy and healthy mini muffins for their back-to-school snack. You can make an apple bran or banana applesauce muffin. You can also make a healthy muffin by using cake mix and adding pumpkin rather than butter and oil. Bake as normal in a mini muffin pan. It's like a muffin cookie.
After-School Snacks to Satisfy Hungry Tweens
Struggling to keep your hungry tween satisfied after school? Try creating a few easy snacks for them to grab and go. These work for homework time or as a snack before starting chores or going to after school sports.
Party Mix
Party mixes have a lot of different things to keep kids happy. You can throw everything in a party mix, from pretzels to Chex to nuts. Try out a few of these party mix recipes to keep your tweens from getting hangry.
Cheese Roll-Ups
Protein is filling and good for your kids. Grab a tortilla and add a bit of shredded cheese. Throw it in the air fryer for a few minutes and cut them up into bite-sized chunks. They are great to grab and go.
Energy Bites
Looking to give your kiddos a bit more energy during the day? Create a few gluten-free energy balls for them to snack on. These are perfect for an after-school snack or to throw in their bags for lunch.
Peanut Butter Apples
Does your tween love peanut butter? Grab a few apples, peanut butter, and some chocolate chips. Cut the apple into chunks, melt a bit of your favorite butter and top them. Now sprinkle a few chocolate chips for a sweet, yet healthy, treat.
Homemade Hummus
Replace chips and dip with a bit of veggies and hummus. Create your favorite hummus flavor. Give them some carrots, celery, or snap peas. Let them dip and crunch til their heart's content.
Fruit Smoothie
No time for your kiddo to sit down and eat? Create a quick fruit smoothie for them to get their vitamins. You can try a few different recipes to achieve the perfect smoothie concoction.
Back-to-School Snacks All Kids Love
Not all elementary kids are going to be impressed with your celery critters. You can still create crowd-pleasing snacks they are going to love.
Eggs
Eggs are a versatile snack. You can cut up hardboiled egg slices or even create deviled eggs. It's a great snack packed with protein.
Banana Bread Chunks
Banana bread tastes amazing, and it's easy to make. Create a big batch of banana bread following your favorite recipe. Cut it into easy-to-grab chunks for a snack.
Tortilla Strips
There's no reason to buy chips when you can make your own at home. Grab a few corn tortillas. Coat them in a bit of olive oil and add some ranch seasoning. Put the tortillas in the air fryer until crispy. Cut them into strips.
Oatmeal Cookies
Keep your kid's snack healthy while satisfying their cookie desires. Create some bite-size oatmeal cookie snacks to pack in their lunch pail.
Pizza Roll-Ups
Pack their snack with a bit of protein by creating a pizza roll-up. Add some sauce, cheese, and veggies to a tortilla and roll it up. Put toothpicks in several areas down the roll-up. Cut it into quick-to-grab slices.
No-Bake Cookies
Let your kids get in on the back-to-school fun by having them make a few no-bake cookies. You can then throw them in their lunch for a sweet treat.
Easy Back-to-School Snacks Kids Will Devour
Being a parent or guardian is hard. You don't have time to slave away for hours to create a lunch for your kid. Keep them happy with a few simple snacks they are sure to love.
Watermelon Wedges
Watermelon is a sweet, healthy treat that your little one won't fight you to eat. Cut the watermelon up into easy-to-handle wedges or chunks. Be sure to buy seedless watermelon to save everyone the hassle!
Popcorn
Air pop some popcorn and add it to a lunch baggie. You can add a few chocolate chips to make your popcorn snack sweet.
Cheese and Crackers
A few snack crackers paired with chunks of cheese make an easy and filling snack. You can even break up a piece of sliced cheese into little squares.
Fruit Cups
Grab a small container and cut up some fruit. You have a homemade fruit cup with all your kids' favorites.
Trail Mix
You can give your kids some trail mix when you don't have nut allergies in your classroom. Just throw different types of nuts and chocolate chips together. Kids will love it.
Roasted Chickpeas
Chickpeas are so healthy. Roast a few of them in the air fryer for about 15 minutes. Add some fun flavors like ranch or nacho cheese. Kids have a crunchy, healthy snack.
Healthy Prepackaged Snacks for Kids
You want to provide a little nourishment for your kids between meals. Grab a few of these healthy snacks to keep handy. They are high in nutrients and low in sugar.
Whole Grain Crackers
Who doesn't love goldfish-shaped crackers? Reach for the healthier option by buying the whole grain version.
Applesauce
Trying to work more fruit into your little one's diet? Add a cup of applesauce for their snack. They just pop it open and eat.
String Cheese
Mozzarella cheese sticks are high in protein and low in calories. Pop one into your kiddo's lunch bag.
Cereal Bars
Healthy cereal bars are a great choice for an after-school snack. Try to look for organic ones with low added sugar. You can even get variety packs, so your kids don't get bored with one flavor.
Crunchy Peas
Brands like Healthy Harvest offer some great dried veggie snacks like crunchy peas. These come in a variety of delicious flavors and have an awesome crunch.
Choosing the Right Back-to-School Snack
Finding the right snacks for your kids or a classroom can be challenging. Most of the time, teachers give you a list of acceptable snacks. But if you are at a loss, keep these tips in mind.
- Be aware of common food allergens that are prohibited at school, like peanuts and gluten
- Provide the proper portion sizes
- Look for snacks high in protein to provide energy
- Skip snacks that have a high sugar or salt content
- Stick with whole grains when possible
- Add fruits and vegetables
- Make them fun to eat and rotate snack options often
Easy and Healthy Back-to-School Snack Ideas
Going back to school can be a stressful time. Make it a little easier by having some fun snacks ready for your kiddos. You can offer your kids these snacks before back-to-school night, add them to their lunch box, or serve them as a nice after-school snack after a long day in class.
Feeling trendy? Prepare a portable snacklebox.
