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…

Apple (good with peanut butter, or almond butter)
Banana (good with peanut butter, or almond butter)
Carrots (good with hummus or ranch dip)
Celery (good with peanut butter and raisins a.k.a. “Ants on a Log”)
Mango
Pear
Grapes
Strawberries (good with regular or Greek yogurt)
Blueberries (good with regular or Greek yogurt)
Raspberries (good with regular or Greek yogurt)
Oranges
Peaches (good with regular or Greek yogurt)
Plums
Kiwi
Grapefruit
Avocado (good with soy sauce and brown rice)
Pineapple
Papaya
Star Fruit
Figs (good with goat cheese)
Honeydew Melon
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Cherries
Edamame (good with soy sauce, or drizzle with a little olive oil + kosher salt)
Raw Sugar Snap Peas (good with hummus)
Cooked Green Beans
Mashed Sweet Potato (good with butter and cinnamon)
Raw Sliced Bell Peppers (good with hummus or ranch dip)
Cucumber Slices (good with ranch dip)
Jicama
Cherry Tomatoes (good with ranch dip)
Cooked Snow Peas
Frozen Peas (frozen…no cooking necessary!)
Raw Cauliflower
Raw Broccoli (good with ranch dip)
Applesauce
Unsweetened Raisins
Fruit Leathers
Freeze Dried Fruit (like mango, banana, blueberries or strawberries)
Dried Apple Rings, or pineapple rings
Canned Fruit like Mandarin Oranges (Native Forest brand does not use sugary syrups in their cans)
Olives

Whole-Grain…
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)
Popcorn (make it using “The Popcorn Trick”)
Oatmeal (served warm in a Thermos if sending to school)
Shredded Wheat (look for brands that contain 1-ingredient)
Arrowhead Mills Puffed Whole Grain Cereal (corn, brown rice, wheat or millet variety)
Brown Rice Cakes
Whole-Wheat Pretzels
Whole-Grain Toast
Small, Cooked Whole-Grain Noodles

Nuts and Seeds…
Larabars
Peanuts
Cashews
Almonds
Pecans
Walnuts
Pine Nuts (they are good lightly toasted)
Pistachios
Sesame Seeds
Pumpkin Seeds
Nut Trail Mix including Dried Fruit

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

Homemade…
Homemade Granola Bars
Homemade “Larabars”
Whole-Wheat Toaster Pastries (a.k.a. Pop Tarts!)
Smoothies or Smoothie Pops
Whole-Wheat Banana Bread
Zucchini Chips
Whole-Wheat Zucchini Bread (made into muffins)
Whole-Wheat Pumpkin Bread (made into muffins)
Whole-Grain Cornbread (made into muffins)
Whole-Wheat Berry Muffins
Pecan Maple Breakfast Cookies
Easy Cheesy Crackers
Kale Chips
Homemade Powerballs
Whole-Wheat Biscuits (good with butter and jelly) or Buttermilk Cheese Biscuits
Cinnamon Glazed Popcorn
Whole-Wheat “Baked” Donuts