Nothing makes me feel more like I have my life together than those weeks when our fridge is stocked with our favorite healthy snacks for kids to bring to school. A little prep time over the weekend is well worth the saved time and mental energy throughout the week. And having all of our kids’ snacks planned and prepped also prevents those afterschool meltdowns when I’m frantically searching our pantry for something that’s not deep-fried or expired.
Creating healthy meals and snacks for our kids is certainly daunting but not impossible. Start with classic kid-favorites like yogurt pouches or Goldfish crackers and health-ify where you can. Here are 50 of our favorite ideas to get you started.
Our Ultimate List of Healthy Snacks for Kids at School
- Lunch Box Pizzas are easy to pack, and your child will actually eat them!
- Cut out the artificial ingredients by making your own Homemade Honey Grahams.
- Avocado Egg Salad Toast is creamy and delicious; the healthy fats and protein will fill your child up until after school.
- Whole-wheat pretzels with a Mini Babybel Wheel is quick, simple and filling.
- Make a batch of Double Berry Quick Bread for easy snacking a serving of fruit.
- Healthy Greek Bean Dip is packed with plant-based protein and perfect with whole wheat pita chips or fresh veggies.
- A Berry Smoothie Bowl can be frozen ahead of time and packed in an insulated thermos.
- You can never go wrong with apple slices and Whole Grain Goldfish Crackers.
- Asian Wraps have a satisfying crunch and sneak in a variety of veggies.
- Garbanzo Stuffed Mini Peppers may take a little convincing but once your child tries them she’ll be hooked.
- Surprise your child with Orange Berry Yogurt Muffins; they definitely don’t taste healthy!
- Whole-wheat pretzels and raisins are a quick snack with a hint of sweetness.
- Spinach and Turkey Pinwheels
- Give your child some afternoon energy with the fruit and whole grains from these Rhubarb Oat Bars.
- Freeze individual servings of Peach Smoothie and allow them to thaw during the school day.
- Combining pear slices and string cheese is the perfect blend of carbs, protein and fat to give your child the energy he needs.
- For a heartier snack to satisfy serious afternoon hunger pangs, pack a couple of Turkey Ranch Wraps.
- Yogurt Honey Fruit Cups taste like dessert and are packed with protein and vitamins.
- Apple Spice Muffins are quick to prepare and way healthier than grabbing a muffin at the coffee shop.
- Stir together no-sugar-added applesauce and greek yogurt for a yummy and healthy parfait.
- There will be no more complaining about boring snacks with these Muffin Tin Tamale Cakes.
- Granola Blueberry Muffins can be made ahead of time and frozen individually.
- If your child doesn’t love trying new foods, ease in with sweet Fruited Turkey Wraps.
- A small cup of cottage cheese with fresh berries will provide your child with a healthy serving of protein, fiber and antioxidants.
- Strawberry Pasta Salad is a yummy and original way to break out of the PBJ rut.
- Cookies for a snack? Your child won’t trade away these Carrot Cookie Bites!
- To encourage more veggies, add a creamy dip like Yogurt Dill Dip.
- Toss a clementine orange with a nut-free trail mix in a reusable bag for a simple snack that satisfies.
- Veggies have never been so fun; become the fun parent when you pack these Guac Crocs Veggies.
- Can you say Parent of the Year? Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins; enough said.
- Toss some fresh spinach in these Mango Peach Smoothies for a nutrient-packed snack.
- Apple slices with SunButter ($7) are sweet and salty while being safe for any nut-free classroom.
- Cannellini Bean Hummus tastes like a creamy dip but is rich in protein and fiber.
- Packing a bento box with Fresh Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips is a fun way to sneak more fruits into your child’s diet.
- Skip the hot lunch option and make your own Mini Mac and Cheese Bites.
- Packing plantain chips and salsa is a great way to try new flavors and textures.
- Light Creamy Chocolate Pudding is a healthier version of your child’s favorite snack.
- Everyone in your house will enjoy this quick and easy Lunch Box Chicken Wrap.
- This creamy Yogurt Grape Salad is light and sweet; perfect for even the pickiest eater!
- Short on time? Toss dried mango slices and a yogurt pouch in your child’s backpack for an easy win.
- No child is going to turn down delicious and colorful Fruit Kabobs with Cream Cheese Dip.
- A Hummus Veggie Wrap Up is a yummy way to introduce more veggies at snack time.
- Try filling a small container or mason jar (for the older kids) with a cup of Wheely Good Pasta Salad.
- Whole-wheat pita with red pepper hummus is a filling snack that’s easy to share.
- The beautiful purple color of Roasted Beetroot and Garlic Hummus will entice just about any bean-averse child.
- If your child likes a little heat, pack a couple of Mini Corn Muffins with Spicy Cheddar Filling for a fun surprise.
- Quick Taco Wraps are great for a hearty snack or easy kids lunch idea.
- If your household needs a break from ants on a log, try celery with cream cheese for a savory new option.
- Mediterranean Chips & Dip feel like a treat while providing healthy nutrients to keep your child satisfied until dinner.
- Black Bean Brownies are loaded with healthy protein and fiber.
How to Pack School Snacks
Now that you’ve got your list of healthy snacks that your child will actually eat, it’s time to make a packing plan. Rather than blowing through an entire bag of Ziploc bags in a week, here are some reusable (and less expensive) options.
Reusable snack bags are a great place to start. They can hold sandwiches and dry snacks and most are dishwasher-safe. We love the fun patterns on these sandwich bags ($14). A variety pack of different sizes ($15) is also a great investment.
Bento boxes are another easy way to pack snacks or school lunches for kids. The small compartments prevent the snack components from mixing together, and kids love having a variety of small snacks. Grab this unicorn one ($30) for a fun lunch surprise or this pack of three ($22) for the entire family. Search Bento Box lunches on Pinterest for some fun, new kids lunch ideas!
Finally, invest in a great insulated thermos (like this one) to pack cold smoothies and pasta salads or warm mac and cheese.
Smart Tips for School Snacking
So you’ve got your back-to-school recipes ready to go; here are a few final tips for the easiest snacking ever.
- Go nut-free: Even if your school allows nuts, it’s a good idea to skip them. This way, if your child trades or shares, you know everyone will be safe.
- Include your kids: Our kids are more likely to try new things when they’re involved in the preparation. Add snack-packing to your child’s chore list and give them a few healthy options to choose from.
- Prevent waste: If your child consistently brings her uneaten snack home, explain that it will then become her afterschool snack. This usually has a way of motivating kids to eat it at school!
Tired of cooking? Don’t miss these healthy snack box subscriptions that deliver to your door.
Get More Snack Recipes for Kids
1 / 40
Mini Zucchini Pizzas
This simple snack recipe is the perfect, low-carb way to satisfy your pizza cravings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Double-Berry Quick Bread
Healthy, fast and easy! This bread is a favorite of mine when prep time is tight and I have small amounts of different kinds of berries to use up. — Jennifer Coduto, Kent, Ohio
Homemade Peanut Butter
We eat a lot of peanut butter, so I decided to make my own. When I compared the cost of my own to store-bought, homemade was much cheaper. Plus it's a whole lot tastier, and you know what goes into it! —Marge Austin, North Pole, Alaska
Berry Smoothie Bowl
We turned one of our favorite smoothies into a smoothie bowl and topped with even more fresh fruit and a few toasted almonds for a little crunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cheesy Cauliflower Breadsticks
These grain-free, cheesy cauliflower breadsticks are made with vegetables instead of flour. Serve with your favorite marinara sauce.—Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Garlic-Herb Mini Quiches
Looking for a wonderful way to impress guests? You’ve got it—and you need only five ingredients to make these tasty apps! —Josephine Piro, Easton, Pennsylvania
Garbanzo-Stuffed Mini Peppers
Mini peppers are so colorful and they're the perfect size for a two-bite appetizer. They have all the crunch of a pita chip, without the extra calories. —Christine Hanover, Lewiston, California
Orange-Berry Yogurt Muffins
These are my husband's favorite muffins so I love to keep them on hand. They freeze and reheat beautifully. Just warm them in the oven for 30 seconds and you're ready to go! —Amber Cummings, Indianapolis, Indiana
Watermelon Cups
This lovely appetizer is almost too pretty to eat! Sweet watermelon cubes hold a refreshing topping that showcases cucumber, red onion and fresh herbs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Elvis Banana Bread
As a toddler, my son loved bananas, so we always had them in the house. We didn't always eat them all before they were too ripe, so we experimented beyond basic banana bread. That’s how we came up with Elvis bread! —Liz Somppi, Greenfield, Wisconsin
Mango Guacamole
I needed a change from the standard guacamole recipe, so I added mango for more sweetness. It really complements the heat from the chili pepper, and it looks beautiful, too! —Adam Landau, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Chicken & Bacon Roll-Ups
My children like these so much that they ask for them every day for lunch during the summer. Whenever I have leftover chicken or turkey breast, this is a delicious way to use it up. —Patricia Nieh, Portola Valley, California
Best Ever Breadsticks
Present these delicious breadsticks alongside an Italian favorite like lasagna or spaghetti. They're an attractive and edible addition to the table setting! —Carol Wolfer, Lebanon, Oregon
Sweet Pea Pesto Crostini
I made a healthier spin on my favorite celebrity chef’s recipe by subbing in vegetable broth for some of the oil and going easy on the cheese. To top crostini, use this recipe for a pastelike pesto. For use on pasta, add more broth for a saucelike consistency. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas
Healthy Greek Bean Dip
This crowd-pleasing appetizer is healthy to boot! Folks will love to eat their veggies when they can dip them in this zesty, fresh alternative to hummus. —Kelly Silvers, Edmond, Oklahoma
Asian Wraps
This recipe is just like any other Asian wrap, but with more delicious and healthy flavor. Instead of ordering Chinese, you'll be making these yourself! —Melissa Hansen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Zucchini Pico de Gallo Salsa
I love veggies and fresh ingredients this time of year. I make big bowls of this salsa, which we eat with pretty much everything in the summer when tomatoes are bountiful. My kids love it, though I leave out the jalapeno when making it for them. —Amy Gattuso, Madison Heights, Michigan
Sun-Dried Tomato Goat Cheese Empanadas
I created this appetizer because I entertain a lot and am always trying to think of things I can do ahead of time. I always need to make extra because people love them so much! —Lynn Scully, Rancho Santa Fe, California
Spinach and Turkey Pinwheels
Need an awesome snack for game day? My kids love these easy four-ingredient turkey pinwheels. Go ahead and make them the day before—they won’t get soggy! —Amy Van Hemert, Ottumwa, Iowa
Yogurt & Honey Fruit Cups
This tasty combo of fresh fruit and creamy orange-kissed yogurt is guaranteed to disappear fast. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Rustic Oatmeal Scones
My family loves scones, but traditional recipes contain excessive fat and calories. After lots of experimentation, I came up with this alternative recipe. The effort is well worth the delicious flavor, amazing texture and nutrient density of these scones. —Gail D'Urso, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Crescent Samosas
Tender, buttery crescents surround a delicious filling, making these appetizers a real standout. No one will guess that they're light! —Jennifer Kemp, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan
Homemade Honey Grahams
The way that my boys gobble up graham crackers, it's a good thing I don't buy them at the store. My homemade version is less expensive, with the added bonus of using minimally processed ingredients. These are fantastic, but they don't last long! —Crystal Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Layered Hummus Dip
My love for Greece inspired this fast, easy Mediterranean dip. It's great for parties and a delicious way to include garden-fresh veggies on your menu. —Cheryl Snavely, Hagerstown, Maryland
Chocolate Chip-Cranberry Scones
My daughter started making these as a "healthy" alternative to cookies since we seem to like cookies of any kind. I've never been able to eat just one, so this recipe seemed perfect for us. —Nichole Jones, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Grilled Pineapple with Lime Dip
Serve this dish as an appetizer or a dessert—the choice is yours! If desired, the pineapple spears can be rolled in flaked coconut before grilling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Thyme-Sea Salt Crackers
These homemade crackers are decidedly light and crispy. An addictive snack on their own, they also pair well with a sharp white cheddar. —Jessica Wirth, Charlotte, North Carolina
Fresh Corn & Avocado Dip
I alter my sister's dip recipe by adding finely chopped jalapeno for a little heat. It's a different way of serving corn as a dip that can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until serving. —Pat Roberts, Thornton, Ontario
Apple Spice Muffins
I came up with this recipe when I was out of my usual muffin-making ingredients. I improvised, and the results were terrific! —Beckie Lapointe, Abbotsford, British Columbia
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Roasting pumpkin seeds is easier than it seems. Just hollow a pumpkin out, spice 'em and bake 'em for a fun snack. —Dawn Fagerstrom, Warren, Minnesota
Broccoli-Cheddar Beef Rolls
My grandma's recipe for beef rolls is easy to change up. Load them with ham, veggies, even olives. While they bake, I whip up au jus for dipping. —Kent Call, Riverside, Utah
Yogurt Cornbread
My husband doesn't like traditional Texas corn bread, so I came up with this recipe. This is the only kind he'll eat. Yogurt makes this variation different from most. —Amanda Andrews of Mansfield, Texas
Baked Elephant Ears
My mother-in-law handed down this recipe from her mother. They’re a special treat—even better, I think, than those at a carnival or festival. And (shh!) they're baked, not fried. —Delores Baeten, Downers Grove, Illinois
Green & Gold Salsa
Edamame and corn give this unique salsa its unmistakable team colors. You can add a little salt if you like, too. A healthy alternative to creamy dips, it’s good for the extra point. —Maggie Lovat, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Ginger Pear Muffins
This wonderful recipe has been in my files for years. The chunks of fresh pear make each bite moist and delicious. —Lorraine Caland, Thunder Bay, Ontario
One-Bite Tamales
Clever little meatballs deliver the flavor and rich sauce of a traditional tamale in a bite-sized portion. They’re a delightfully different addition to a holiday spread. —Dolores Jaycox, Gretna, Louisiana
Chewy Honey Granola Bars
There's sweetness from the honey, chewiness from the raisins, a hint of chocolate and cinnamon, and a bit of crunch. These granola bars freeze beautifully, so you can snack anytime. —Tasha Lehman, Williston, Vermont
Muffin-Tin Tamale Cakes
We needed snack inspiration beyond peanut butter and jelly. These muffin tamales have all of the flavor without the fuss. Pair with skewered fruit. —Suzanne Clark, Phoenix, Arizona
Chicken Fries
Kid-friendly and quick, these crunchy oven-baked chicken fries are coated with a mixture of crushed potato chips, panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dip them in ranch dressing, barbecue sauce or honey-mustard sauce.—Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Granola Blueberry Muffins
I wanted to put a new spin on muffins, so I mixed in some granola that contained lots of nuts, pumpkin seeds and shredded coconut. Then I brought a batch to work the next morning—success!—Megan Weiss, Menomonie, Wisconsin
The post 50 Healthy Snacks for Kids at School appeared first on Taste of Home.
Carrie Madormo, RN