Looking for some new healthy snacks for kids to fuel their active bodies? Read on for some delicious kid-friendly ideas.
As a parent, it’s not always easy to say no to snacks like candy, cookies, and chips. It can be all too easy to get stuck in a snacking rut, but snack time doesn’t have to be so hard! Consider some of the following healthy snacks for kids that are both nutritious and really tasty. That way you can spend more time enjoying your kids, instead of preparing yet another meal.
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What Are Good Snacks for School?
Some of the best snack foods your family might come straight from your garden: fruit and vegetables. The following healthy snacks for toddlers or teens are as yummy as they are nutritious.
- Fruit Salad – Whatever fruits you choose, this is one of the easiest ways to get your kids into the sweet treat. Try cutting up bananas, oranges, and strawberries for a snack that’s super healthy!
- Fresh Fruit – Not up for making a fruit salad? No worries! Your kids can enjoy an apple, clementine, or any favorite fruit on its own. If you want an added protein boost, try dipping apple or carrot slices in yogurt, hummus, or peanut butter. If you have a food processor, try making your own dark chocolate dessert hummus!
- DIY Trail Mix – If your kid is the type to eat only certain pieces out of the store-bought trail mixes, then make your own with ingredients you know they’ll like!
- Kale Chips– If you have kids who are resistant to veggies but love chips and french fries, these might be a big hit. They’re easy to bake, too!
Crunchy Kale Chips
Ingredients
- 1 head kale
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- sea salt (or your favorite seasoning)
Instructions
Crunchy Kale Chips
- Preheat the oven to 275°F
- Wash and thoroughly dry your kale. Remove the leaves from the ribs and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces.
- Place on a baking sheet and coat with the olive oil and salt (or seasoning). Bake until crisp. Turn the leaves halfway through (about 20 minutes).
Nutrition
What Are Some Hearty and Healthy Snacks?
Starches like sweet potatoes and whole wheat bread are ideal for filling your children up. Luckily, these healthy snacks for kids on the go are also easy to make!
- Sweet Potato Muffins – The starchy sweetness of muffins might make them a kids’ favorite. And you can really pump up the nutritional factor of the common muffin by adding sweet potatoes. Your children or your spouse will be happy to throw these into their lunch bags!
- Chips & Salsa – This classic combination may sound like a sodium-packed snack. However, you can easily cut up pitas or tortillas for a much healthier version. And, if you want to make your own salsa from scratch, this snack is full of nutritious potential.
- Toast & Peanut Butter – If peanut butter is wrong, I don’t want to be right. And this snack choice is full of protein and healthy fat, making it perfect with toast or whole-grain crackers. If peanut butter isn’t your favorite, opt for almond, cashew, or sun butter for one of the best healthy snacks on the go. Add some fruit or chia seeds for an even greater nutrient boost to this grab-and-go snack!
- Homemade Granola Bars – Granola bars are a great way to get fiber and protein, especially when you make them yourself. My favorite recipe is no-bake and uses 1 cup of nut butter, 1/2 cup of honey, 1/2 cup of coconut oil, 2-1/2 cups of rolled oats, 1 cup of shredded coconut, and 1/4 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips. Yum!
After-School Snacks
- Strawberry Smoothie – Smoothies are extremely easy to make with the right blender, and they’re also one of the best healthy snacks you can take to-go! Try strawberries, spinach, Greek yogurt, and orange mango fruit juice for a simply divine delight. It’s also an ideal breakfast that’s naturally sweet with no added sugar.
- Açai and Blueberry Smoothie – Blueberries have many anti-oxidants and plenty of other nutrients like Vitamins C and B-6. Add plenty of other berries and fresh fruit like raspberries. For the liquid, add a splash of 100% cranberry juice and plain greek yogurt. If your child is feeling adventurous, try an açai bowl with additions like cashew butter or almond butter, crushed almonds, granola, coconut flakes, chia seeds, or banana slices. This is a recipe you can easily make vegan. Or add your favorite sweetener like honey– just enough to satisfy a sweet craving.
- Veggies and Dip might not be the most creative, but this is one of the best healthy snacks! Dip your zucchini spears, carrots, cucumber slices, celery, cherry tomatoes, pretzels, or crackers in hummus, ranch dressing, or your kid’s favorite yogurt dip.
- Protein Power Balls – If your child is the type who can’t be bothered to sit down for a big, healthy snack, a protein-packed bite-sized treat like this can get lots of macronutrients in a small portion. It’s like a little ball of energy. Peanut butter oatmeal energy balls are made of creamy unsweetened peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract, rolled oats, chia seeds, and dried fruit like raisins (or chocolate chips). You could even roll them in sprinkles to make them a little bit more appealing.
What Are the Healthiest Sweets to Eat?
The following desserts still offer nutrients while sweetening up the deal. You may even want to share these fun treats with others on FamilyApp.
- Chocolate Chip Cookies – It may not be high on the healthy snacks list. But, you can make this old favorite a little healthier if you swap for whole-wheat flour, almond flour, or oat flour. You may even be able to replace some of the butter with applesauce for added nutrition! We’re big fans of using chickpeas in our chocolate chip cookies for an extra fiber boost.
- Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn – Popcorn isn’t exactly veggie sticks, but it’s a relatively nutritious snack. Instead of the standard, try it topped with cinnamon and sugar for a sweet take on the salty staple.
- Yogurt Parfait– If you want the look and feel of an ice cream sundae, but not the added sugar and calories, make-your-own yogurt parfait. Top your favorite yogurt with fruit and granola for a beautifully delicious treat for your little ones.
Snack time is a wonderful time to connect with your kids after a long school day, and giving them whole-grain snacks that fuel their bodies and minds offers just what they need!
Does your family have some healthy snacks for work or school? Share your go-tos in our comments! Whether you spring for healthy options or satisfy a sweet tooth, the whole family will love these snacks!
