After School Snacks
If your house is anything like mine, you have hungry kids flying in the door wanting all of the snacks. To help you stay stocked and also mix things up whenever you land in a snack rut, these ideas are here to help. You can use them to complement school lunch recipes, toddler lunch ideas, and kindergarten lunches. Or summer lunches and camp lunches for days when we’re at home when school isn’t in session. I’m dividing these kid snack ideas up by category so you’ll have an easy to reference place to start whenever you need new kids snacks. There’s even a section with easy snacks to pack for after daycare since I know many families need a snack for the way home! (You may also like Preschool Snacks, Toddler Lunch Ideas, and my easy Peach Puree.)
1. Pretzels, Cheese, Avocado
Any type of pretzel will work here, but I like thin sticks for younger eaters since they are easier to chew.
2. Pretzels, Nut/Seed Butter, Berries
Serve pretzels with nut or seed butter as a dip and add a side of berries like strawberries or raspberries.
3. Pretzels, Nutella, Milk
Let the kids dip their pretzels into Nutella and serve with a glass of milk for a yummy snack.
4. Cheese, Crackers, DIY Fruit Cup
Pair diced or sliced cheese with crackers (like Triscuits Thin Crisps or Breton crackers) and a homemade fruit cup with diced fruit and a splash of lemonade.
5. Cheese, Crackers, Banana
Swap out the fruit cup for a banana for an easier option.
6. Cheese Crackers and Sliced Pear
Pair cheddar crackers with sliced ripe pear for an easy snack option.
7. ½ Sandwich and Sliced Cucumbers
Half of a sandwich can be a satisfying snack (and it can work if there’s some left from lunch). Pair with fruit or sliced cucumbers.
7. Toast with Mashed Avocado and Hard-Cooked Egg
Serve up a snack version of breakfast with avocado toast and an egg. This would be a great option for hungry kiddos since the fat and protein would help to fill them up.
8. Toast with Jam and Fruit
Top a slice of toasted whole grain bread with jam and serve with a side of fruit.
9. Yogurt with Fruit Puree
Whole milk yogurt (regular or Greek) with fruit puree stirred in is one of my favorite after school snacks since it’s flavorful, easy, and so yummy. Top with granola if you’d like.
12. Yogurt with Applesauce
Mix plain yogurt with an equal amount of applesauce for a nutritious after school snack that can be served in a bowl or in a reusable pouch.
11. Yogurt Smoothie
Blend 1 cup yogurt with 1 cup frozen fruit for a super simple yogurt smoothie. (Find my Strawberry Smoothie too!)
12. Tomatoes and Cottage Cheese
Top cottage cheese with a few sprinkles to make it fun and serve with tomatoes.
13. Cottage Cheese, Granola, and Diced Pineapple
Add granola and diced fruit to a bowl with cottage cheese for a protein-rich after school snack option that’s super delish.
14. Tomatoes, Guacamole, Veggie Straws
Dip Veggie Straws into guacamole and serve up a side of tomatoes to round it out.
15. Cereal Bar and Banana
My homemade Cereal Bars store so well in the fridge and take just minutes to make. They’re a great snack with a banana.
16. Cereal Bar and Milk
You can also go for a bar and milk for a classic after school snack option.
17. Granola Bar and Berries
Pair berries with a store-bought or homemade granola bar for a satisfying after school snack.
18. Granola Bar and Milk
Milk (either dairy or non-dairy) is a great snack option and if you choose one that has fat it in, that can help the kids stay full longer too.
19. Snack Bar and Drinkable Yogurt
Pair a snack bar (you can find some of Healthy Snacks for Kids to buy at the store) and purchased drinkable yogurt to help the kids stay full until dinner time.
20. Muffin with Milk or Fruit
Pair a toddler muffin with milk or fruit for a super simple snack that you can prep ahead of time. Win, win!
Best Tips for After School Snacking
Aim to serve 2-3 food groups in each snack to help them satisfy, but don’t stress if the kids don’t always eat everything (because they won’t). We don’t have to force balance. Pack any of these after school snacks to send to eat between activities. Use an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack if needed. A reusable pouch can be helpful for smoothies and yogurt. Consider after school snacks mini meals and don’t stress if the kids eat more afternoon snack than dinner—it’s very normal for kids to be hungrier at snack time! You may also like Preschool Snack Ideas, Best Snack Containers, and my go-to Snacks to Buy at the Store.
I’d love to hear your feedback on these ideas, so please comment below to share. This post was first published August 2021.
