Kids are big time snackers. Whenever they are home, it's like they must be snacking at all times. It's exhausting to come up with healthy snack options for them on the fly and the temptation to just let them eat whatever is high. But with a little planning and a list of healthy snack ideas to refer to, it's possible to provide them with snacks that are convenient, satisfying, tasty, and healthier than processed snacks. And, yes, it's OK to let them have some not-so-healthy options on occasion because we're not trying to be the food police over here. You can also stock up on some kid-friendly but still nutritious store-bought snacks to mix in with the fresh ones just to save yourself some time and have things they can easily grab themselves.
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Instead of buying bulk bags of food like chips, fruit snacks, graham crackers, and cookies, try stocking up on nonperishable and easy-to-grab snacks that may be processed, but minimally so. Thankfully, the world of store-bought snacks has expanded a ton in the past several years, so there are lots of options out there that kids truly enjoy and are easy to serve and eat, but are still at least somewhat healthy. Keep reading to see some of our favorites, including a few easy, whole-food snacks.
Chips and salsa make a great and nutritious snack.
Yes, it's true that not all kids like spicy foods, but there are also many who do. That's why so many kids eat those super hot chips that are full of who knows what. Instead, offer them fresh salsa and tortilla chips. You can make the salsa yourself to control the spice level or buy some at the store. For chips, you can even opt for baked tortilla chips. Know that the tomatoes in salsa are super hydrating and full of nutrients.
Treat your family to a store-bought veggie tray with dip.
OK, so buying up veggies and cutting them up yourself so they are ready to be snacked on throughout the week is an option and if you want to and have time to do it on the regular, go for it! But you can also just grab a party tray of veggies with dip on your weekly grocery trip. Then, all the work is done for you and hopefully veggies will actually get eaten instead of wilting in the fridge waiting to get cut.
Stock up on mixed nuts and raisins.
Nuts are high in fat, but the thing is that it's good-for-you fat and you aren't going to snack on bucket loads of them, so don't let that deter you. Nuts are great source of protein and antioxidants, and other nutrients like magnesium, copper, and selenium. Of course, the nutrients vary according to the type of nut, which is why mixing them up is a great idea. As for raisins, they are fat-free and are nutrient-rich. All you need is about an ounce of nuts, which is about a handful, with about an equal quantity of raisins.
All-fruit popsicles are a big hit.
Keeping a box of all-fruit or 100% fruit juice ice pops in the freezer is a great idea in the summertime. They'll keep the kids happy, but they are also full of vitamins and nutrients and serve double duty since they are hydrating as well. You can even make your own in advance and keep them on hand for snack time.
Cheese sticks are filling and nutritious.
Most pediatricians still recommend that children—especially those aged 9 and up—get several servings of dairy each day. Cheese sticks are a great option since they are usually individually packaged and mild in flavor. Opt for organic if it's in the budget, and if your kids can't eat dairy, look for vegan string cheese instead.
Grain-free crackers are crunchy and delicious.
Even though my kids don't have a sensitivity or allergy to gluten, I usually opt for gluten-free crackers at home. Without the processed wheat, crackers make for a protein-packed crunchy snack that pairs well with almost anything, since they are typically made with nuts and seeds rather than grains.
Coconut chips are crunchy and satisfying.
Unsweetened coconut chips are a staple in our house. We add them to our oatmeal and smoothies, but my kids like to eat them straight out of the bag. Typically, they are a one-ingredient snack—meaning, if you look at the ingredients listed on the package, the only ingredient is coconut. We like these wider strips as opposed to shreds or flakes for snacking since they are easier to grab and less messy. You can even use them in a quick homemade trail mix with other dried fruit and nuts.
Seaweed snacks satisfy those salty cravings.
Though they aren't particularly filling, seaweed snacks are a great option for when hunger is actually just boredom or when it's close to a meal time and you don't want to fill your kiddo's belly but also don't want to have to listen to any more whining. They come roasted, dried, or grilled and can be plain, seasoned with sea salt, or flavored. The saltiness makes them really appealing to kids who love things like chips, pretzels, and crackers, but they offer a little more nutritional value.
Yogurt tubes are a sweet treat.
While store-bought yogurt tubes can be a little on the sugary side, they are still a nice protein-packed treat that kids love. I usually opt for an organic brand that's lower in added sugar, free of artificial colors, and naturally flavored, but there are usually lots of options in the supermarket. You can even pop them right in the freezer for quick and somewhat healthier popsicles.
Applesauce is a classic kid snack.
Whether in pouches, cups, or homemade, applesauce is the perfect kid snack to keep on hand. Store-bought versions are nonperishable until opened so they'll last forever and are great to grab and eat on the go. Buy unsweetened and if you want to add a little flavor sprinkle on some canela. You can freeze applesauce cups for a cool treat, too.
Frozen blueberries taste like candy.
Grab a big bag of frozen blueberries from the market and plop a bowl of them in front of your kiddos and we promise they'll be asking for more. Blueberries are picked at their prime before being frozen so they are super sweet and juicy. When served frozen, they are like little icy treats. Just be sure only to serve them to kids who are old enough not to choke.
Freeze dried fruit is fun and healthy.
Freeze dried fruit is a bit pricey, but it's something novel and fun to throw into the snack mix that's totally healthy and not laden with sugar and artificial flavors. Plus, it's nonperishable so it's a great option to keep in your purse or the car for unexpected snacking needs. Kids love it because they are usually sweet and tangy, like candy, and they're fun to eat.
This is not your mama's fruit leather.
All-fruit fruit leather is a nutrient-packed snack that kids will love to eat. And no, we are not talking about the candy disguised as a fruit snack that we ate in the '90s. Lots of brands are making fruit leather out of just dehydrated and pressed fruit. You can find them in bar form, rolls, or even as buttons that look like candy but totally aren't
Fruit and nut bars are packed with nutrients.
Fruit and nut bars with no added sugar are a great snack option for when your kids are a bit hungrier. Fruit bars like those made by Larabar and RXBar typically contain only a few ingredients including fruit, nuts and egg whites, and are loaded with protein and healthy fats so they can even make for a quick breakfast on busy days.
Roasted chickpeas are unexpectedly tasty.
Simple roasted chickpeas are crunchy, protein-packed, and super-satisfying snack. You can buy them bagged at many supermarkets, stores like Costco or Trader Joe's and online, either simply seasoned with sea salt or in a variety of flavors like chili lime, ranch, and honey roasted.
Olives are really fun for kids!
Do you remember being a kid and sticking pitted black olives on your fingertips and pretending to be a monster before gobbling them up? Yeah, kids are still just as entertained by canned olives these days. Canned olives are fairly mild in flavor and are just fun to eat and since they are all-natural and a good source of healthy fats, they make for a nice, light snack.
Edamame are packed with protein.
Edamame is simply soy beans, and they are easy to prepare and full of protein. The pretty light green color and firm (not squishy) texture make them more appealing to kids than other beans. My kids like picking them out of the shell, but buying them already shelled is less messy. You can buy frozen, steam-in-the-bag edamame, cook them up in the microwave, and store in the fridge in an airtight container to snack on for a few days. Freeze-dried edamame is also available at some stores and makes for a nice, crunchy, salty snack.
Dried apricots are like candy.
Chewy dried apricots are super satisfying to eat—almost like candy. They have a sweet and sour taste and a prettier, more appealing color than raisins or dates (also great if your kids will eat them). My kids can go through an entire bag in minutes.
Get some veggies in with pickles.
Pickles are made from cucumbers and cucumbers are vegetables, and any time you can get more veggies into your kids, it's a win. Your kids might prefer them whole, in spears or in slices—try them all and see what takes. We also recommend going for the ones you find in the refrigerated section as they tend to be less processed and have fewer ingredients.
Jazzed up hard-boiled eggs are more appealing to kids.
Some kids happily eat hard-boiled eggs from day 1 and others you have to try again and again, but if you succeed they make for a great, easy snack to keep in the fridge. You can even buy them pre-cooked at the store if you need to save even more time. If you cook them yourself, be sure to avoid overcooking so the yolks stay pretty and bright instead of that weird grayish-green. Like everyone else, kids eat with their eyes! You can also jazz them up with different seasonings—we like adobo, chili lime, or everything bagel seasoning.
Dry cereal isn't just for toddlers.
My kids haven't stopped munching on dry cereal since they first had it as young toddlers. And no, I don't mean sugary cereals. They actually request bowls of dry Cheerios, Kix, and Rice Krispies as a snack. Even without tons of sugar, crunchy dry cereal satisfies that snacky urge that is sometimes just the result of boredom.
