It is snack time and you are doing 1000 things. What should you serve? How much easier would life be if we had snack ideas for kids right at our fingertips? For many parents that would be a big time saver. Between working and taking care of responsibilities at home, adding dinner and healthy kids snacks to the mix can make for a hectic day. Here are some tips and recipes to make easy snacks for kids.
Most often, kids are looking for what taste good and not what’s nutritious for them. That even goes for adults because it can be really hard to give up the bad food we crave. Sometimes those cravings are telling us we have a deficiency of some sort. For instance, if we have a craving for chocolate, instead of grabbing a candy bar, eat foods that are high in magnesium, like a piece of dark chocolate, oatmeal, or almonds. Chocolate cravings can be a sign of magnesium deficiency. Craving pasta could be a sign of chromium deficiency. If it’s pastries, pasta or white bread that keeps your child smiling from ear to ear, try giving them a sweet potato, grapes, cinnamon, apple, or wheat bread instead.
Healthy Snack Ideas For Kids
Choosing healthy snacks for kids can make a significant impact on their growth, energy levels, and overall well-being. With so many processed options available, it can be challenging to find snacks that are both nutritious and enjoyable. Healthy snacks not only support physical health but also help kids develop a positive relationship with food, fueling them with the vitamins, minerals, and protein they need for active play, learning, and focus. Opting for snacks that balance fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins can provide lasting energy and keep kids full between meals, while also establishing lifelong healthy habits.
In what ways can we prepare fast and healthy snacks that won’t take more than 15 minutes out of our day? I can think of several snacks that have saved the day for me. First I will share some of the easy snack staples I keep on hand and then some easy snack recipes.
Ready To Go Snack Ideas For Kids
Here’s a list of healthy, ready-to-go snack ideas for kids that are easy to prepare and pack with nutrients:
- fresh fruits
- dried fruit
- natural fruit roll ups
- plain yogurt
- cottage cheese
- dark chocolate chips
- nut butters
- sunflower seed butter
- rice cakes
- whole-grain crackers
- cream cheese
- cheese sticks
- sliced meats
- veggies
- lightly seasoned popcorn
- trail mixes
- nut mixes
- boiled eggs
These easy, healthy snacks for kids have no added sugar and plenty of essential nutrients. These wholesome ingredients all make kid-friendly snacks that will appeal to ages from toddlers to older kids. Just pick them up at your local grocery store and serve a nutritious snack anytime. Even picky eaters will approve.
Eggs are easy to cook and great way to start getting kids interested in preparing their own foods. Brainly says that eggs are a great brain food for kids and they offer these tips:
“The versatile egg is a great source of protein, and egg yolks are packed with choline, which helps memory development. Eggs can be served in a variety of ways and can be enjoyed at breakfast, as a mid-afternoon snack, or even at dinner. Parent tip: Eggs are great for making grab-and-go breakfasts kids can eat on the road. Scramble eggs into a whole grain tortilla to make a grab-and-go breakfast burrito, or make your own version of an Egg McMuffin at home by putting a fried egg on top of a toasted English muffin and topping it with a slice of low-fat cheese.”
Having easy chow that is portable and not messy to carry around makes things much easier. With these easy snacks on the go, you will be sure that you and your kids will be eating healthy while out and about. Still want some more healthy snack options? Try some of the balanced snack recipes below.
10 Easy Snack Recipe Ideas For Kids
Here are some healthy homemade snacks that are easy to whip up to satisfy a bit of sweet tooth or the desire for something a little more hearty. Try making some of these fast and easy snack recipes to satisfy kids’ taste buds.
Yogurt Topped with Cocoa Bits (Dark Chocolate) Snack
You can incorporate dark chocolate into a snack by scooping a cup of plain unsweetened yogurt into a cup. Add 1 teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder and stir until smooth consistency. Add a drop or two of stevia liquid (a sugar replacement), add ½ teaspoon vanilla (optional), and top with homemade whip-cream or a favorite fruit. Kids love this treat. You can make whip-cream simply by using 1 cup heavy whipping cream with some vanilla extract and using a mixer to blend until soft clouds form.
Apples and Almond Butter Snack
Apples and almond butter is so easy to make that some kids can do it themselves. Just take a green apple (which has less sugar than a red apple), slice it up and top it with almond butter. Almond butter is better than peanut butter in the sense that it does not mold like peanut butter does. Also almonds are full of heart-healthy fats, high in protein and fiber, calcium, potassium and magnesium…and the list goes on. Although almond butter may be expensive, it lasts in the refrigerator for a long time. And, if your child does not like the taste of almond butter, just try another nut butter that will give you similar nutritional benefits.
Cucumber Sandwiches
Use cucumber slices as the bread or cracker and load those little finger sandwiches up with wholesome yumminess like cheese, meat, tomatoes, and avocados. Try this recipe for cucumber sandwiches.
Cereal Bars
Homemade cereal bars can actually make pretty quick and easy snacks. You can use a variety of cereals from healthy to a treat variety and same goes for the binder from marshmallow to nut butters. Try this recipe for almond butter cereal bars.
Smoothies
Smoothies can be quick and easy snacks. It is a great way to make a couple of fruits into something appealing and to add some protein all at the same time. A couple of fruits blended with yogurt or milk is a very easy snack for kids. Try this banana mango smoothie recipe.
Banana Roll Ups
These banana roll ups are so simple to make. This easy snack is healthy and portable. All you need to make this are some tortillas, peanut butter (or Nutella if you want chocolate!), jelly/jam (if you are using peanut butter), and a banana. Get the whole recipe at Midwest Modern Momma
Peanut Butter And Celery Sticks
Traveling Peanut Butter and Celery Sticks. This is a great way to eat peanut butter and celery on the go! You can always substitute the celery for apples, carrots, and any fruit of your choice! Make sure to save your plastic peanut butter jar next time to make this easy snack on the go!
Chopped Fresh Fruit
Fresh Fruit. This is always the healthiest option for an easy snack. You just cut whatever type of fruits you want and put them into a Tupperware. By putting them into this container, it is easy to take with you wherever you go and on road trips a fresh fruit is always refreshing to eat.
Granola
This Farmer’s Market Granola Recipe is the perfect breakfast to go or snack for the road! You will love this delicious mix that is easy to make and have on hand for easy munching. Just pour some in a plastic baggie and you are good to go!
Chex Snack Mix
Sometimes we buy snack packs when we travel but nothing is as good as homemade! Your own snack mix is always freshest and fun to customize.
Healthy Snacks For Kids Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these healthy easy snack ideas for kids. What are some of your favorite easy, healthy kids snacks?
Incorporating healthy snacks into kids’ daily routines offers lasting benefits that extend far beyond the momentary boost in energy. Nutritious snacks help maintain steady energy levels, improve focus, and support their physical development, all while encouraging them to make healthier choices as they grow. By prioritizing snacks made from whole, nutrient-rich ingredients, parents can nurture their kids’ bodies and minds, contributing to overall wellness and a positive relationship with food. These small but impactful choices ultimately set a strong foundation for lifelong healthy eating habits and well-being.
These are some easy on the go snacks that are quick to make at home. You can make and take with you when you’re on the go or on the road. You may also want to check out this list of healthy convenience foods to make and have ready for snacking on the go as well. Do you have any favorites you make to bring when you go out?
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