Snack Ideas for Kids (and Adults)!

Skip the potato chips, fruit snacks, graham crackers, and candy. If you’re in a rut here are some quick, great real food any-time or after-school snack ideas for inspiration that kids will love (and adults, too!). Sticking with simple ingredients keeps snack time easy and fun.

Keep these tips in mind:

  • healthy fats, like what are in nut butters, keep you fuller longer which is great for little ones who are very active
  • combine some of the suggestions below in creative ways (for example, combine some fruit with yogurt to make a yogurt parfait, or make a fruit salad and drizzle some honey on top)
  • chia seeds make a great topper for yogurt, and add in some yummy texture
  • most of the fruit below is also great frozen. Ever blended up frozen bananas to make “ice cream”? Try it!
  • If you’re looking for school lunch ideas, any of these would be great in a school lunch box!
  • If you have a picky eater, combining several of these snacks onto a plate – tapas style! – could make a well rounded lunch or easy breakfast

Please leave any additional suggestions in the comments below…

Fruits and Vegetables…

  1. Apple (good with peanut butter, or almond butter)
  2. Banana (good with peanut butter, or almond butter)
  3. Carrots (good with hummus or ranch dip)
  4. Celery (good with peanut butter and raisins a.k.a. “Ants on a Log”)
  5. Mango
  6. Pear
  7. Grapes
  8. Strawberries (good with regular or Greek yogurt)
  9. Blueberries (good with regular or Greek yogurt)
  10. Raspberries (good with regular or Greek yogurt)
  11. Oranges
  12. Peaches (good with regular or Greek yogurt)
  13. Plums
  14. Kiwi
  15. Grapefruit
  16. Avocado (good with soy sauce and brown rice)
  17. Pineapple
  18. Papaya
  19. Star Fruit
  20. Figs (good with goat cheese)
  21. Honeydew Melon
  22. Cantaloupe
  23. Watermelon
  24. Cherries
  25. Edamame (good with soy sauce, or drizzle with a little olive oil + kosher salt)
  26. Raw Sugar Snap Peas (good with hummus)
  27. Cooked Green Beans
  28. Mashed Sweet Potato (good with butter and cinnamon)
  29. Raw Sliced Bell Peppers (good with hummus or ranch dip)
  30. Cucumber Slices (good with ranch dip)
  31. Jicama
  32. Cherry Tomatoes (good with ranch dip)
  33. Cooked Snow Peas
  34. Frozen Peas (frozen…no cooking necessary!)
  35. Raw Cauliflower
  36. Raw Broccoli (good with ranch dip)
  37. Applesauce
  38. Unsweetened Raisins
  39. Fruit Leathers
  40. Freeze Dried Fruit (like mango, banana, blueberries or strawberries)
  41. Dried Apple Rings, or pineapple rings
  42. Canned Fruit like Mandarin Oranges (Native Forest brand does not use sugary syrups in their cans)
  43. Olives

    Whole-Grain…

  44. Whole Grain Crackers (like Triscuits, Multi-Seed, Ak-Mak, Whole-Wheat Matzos, Brown Rice Crackers/Snaps, Whole-Grain Rye Crackers topped with cheese, peanut butter, almond butter, or a cream cheese and jelly combo)
  45. Popcorn (make it using “The Popcorn Trick”)
  46. Oatmeal (served warm in a Thermos if sending to school)
  47. Shredded Wheat (look for brands that contain 1-ingredient)
  48. Arrowhead Mills Puffed Whole Grain Cereal (corn, brown rice, wheat or millet variety)
  49. Brown Rice Cakes
  50. Whole-Wheat Pretzels
  51. Whole-Grain Toast
  52. Small, Cooked Whole-Grain Noodles

    Nuts and Seeds…

  53. Larabars
  54. Peanuts
  55. Cashews
  56. Almonds
  57. Pecans
  58. Walnuts
  59. Pine Nuts (they are good lightly toasted)
  60. Pistachios
  61. Sesame Seeds
  62. Pumpkin Seeds
  63. Nut Trail Mix including Dried Fruit

    Other…

  64. Hard-Boiled Eggs
  65. Garbanzo Beans
  66. Cheese (cubes or sticks…with or without crackers)
  67. Plain Whole Milk or Greek Yogurt (flavored with a little honey or maple syrup and vanilla extract)
  68. Organic and/or Local Bacon

    Homemade…

  69. Homemade Granola Bars
  70. Homemade “Larabars”
  71. Whole-Wheat Toaster Pastries (a.k.a. Pop Tarts!)
  72. Smoothies or Smoothie Pops
  73. Whole-Wheat Banana Bread
  74. Zucchini Chips
  75. Whole-Wheat Zucchini Bread (made into muffins)
  76. Whole-Wheat Pumpkin Bread (made into muffins)
  77. Whole-Grain Cornbread (made into muffins)
  78. Whole-Wheat Berry Muffins
  79. Pecan Maple Breakfast Cookies
  80. Easy Cheesy Crackers
  81. Kale Chips
  82. Homemade Powerballs
  83. Whole-Wheat Biscuits (good with butter and jelly) or Buttermilk Cheese Biscuits
  84. Cinnamon Glazed Popcorn
  85. Whole-Wheat “Baked” Donuts

For even more homemade snack ideas be sure to check out the “Healthy Snacks To Go” e-book from Kitchen Stewardship!