12 Healthy and Easy Snack Ideas for Kids (New Ideas Inside!)

Do you have a hard time coming up with ideas for healthy kids’ snacks? Are you tired of the same lunchbox every day? In today’s post, we listed 12 healthy and easy snack ideas for kids. These ideas are nutritious and sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.

So, whether you are packing a snack for your child to school or looking for some afternoon snack inspiration, we have you covered!

When Shall Kids Start To Eat Snacks?

Breast milk or infant formula are still the primary nutrition sources for 6 to 12 months old, but solid foods will gradually replace them. In the beginning, as they cannot accommodate a large amount of food, so begin small and gradually increase the solid food.
The eating schedule is every 2 to 3 hours, or 5 to 6 times per day. That means approximately 3 meals and 2 or 3 snacks per day.
After 12 months, he or she may consume a greater variety of foods on a daily basis but still encouraged to have 2 snack time per day.

Healthy Snacks to Encourage Kids

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, meats, and yogurt or cheeses are normally the healthiest food to encourage toddler. Some easy tricks is to make s shape, for example, a smiley face or a rainbow color. Here are a few examples:

• Fruits: tomatoes, cucumbers, bananas, strawberries, pears, oranges, apple, melons, or avocados.
• Vegetables: cooked spinach, carrots, beans, broccoli.
• Whole grains: whole grain breads, crackers, or pastas.
• Proteins: soft, small pieces of beef, lamb, chicken, fish, turkey, eggs, or tofu.
• Dairy: pasteurized cheeses or yogurts
• Drink: Water (4 to 8 ounces per day) and Milk (formula milk before 12 months and plain whole cow’s milk after 12 months)

Bad Snacks Ideas

There is no need to add salt or sugar to your child’s food, which includes soda, muffins, honey, and other sweeteners. Give your child no unpasteurized drinks or foods containing sugars, such as juice, milk, yogurt, or cheese.

Cow’s milk before the age of 12 months may increase your baby’s risk of intestinal bleeding. It also contains too many proteins and minerals for your baby’s kidneys to easily handle, as well as insufficient nutrients.

12 Yummy Kids Snacks Ideas:

Veggie sticks with Dip

It can be tricky to get kids to eat their vegetables, but one easy way is to cut them into sticks and serve them with Dip.

This healthy lunch option is not only packed with nutrients, but it’s also fun to eat. Choose your child’s favorite vegetables, such as carrots, celery, or cucumbers, and cut them into thin strips. Then, provide a healthy dip, such as hummus or yogurt-based sauce.

Veggie sticks are a great way to sneak in some extra veggies at lunchtime, and they’re sure to be a hit with even the pickiest of eaters.

Fruit leather or fruit roll-ups

Fruit leather is a great way to sneak in an extra serving of fruits and veggies, both kids and adults loves it. Puree your favorite fruits and spread the mixture onto a sheet of wax paper. Then, bake in the oven on low heat until the fruit leather is dry and slightly sticky. Once it’s cooled, you can cut it into strips or shapes and pack it in your child’s lunchbox.

You can use fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or cherries. Or try using dried fruits like apricots, dates, figs, or prunes.

The possibilities are endless!

Homemade granola bars

There’s no need to rely on store-bought granola bars when you can easily make your own soft and chewy bars at home. Homemade granola bars are more nutritious, but they’re also more budget-friendly.

To make your granola bars, combine rolled oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup. Then, bake the mixture in a pan until it’s golden brown.

Once cooled, cut the granola into bars and enjoy!

Pasteurized Yogurt parfait

Packing lunch has never been this easy! Yogurt parfaits are a healthy and delicious way to start the day: layer yogurt, granola, and favorite fruits in a jar or container.

Yogurt is an excellent source of protein, which will help keep your child full until lunchtime. Plus, it’s packed with calcium and probiotics, suitable for gut health.

Granola is an excellent source of fiber, and adding a variety of fruits will give your child a boost of vitamins and antioxidants.

Cheese crackers

Cheese crackers are a simple and tasty way to add some flavor to your midday meal. Most cheese crackers are made with cheddar cheese, but you can also find crackers made with Swiss, American, or even goat cheese.

While they’re often thought of as an unhealthy snack food, cheese crackers is a healthy option. They’re generally low in calories and fat, and they provide a good source of protein and calcium.

Celery boats with peanut butter and raisins

This simple yet tasty snack is easy to make and can be easily customized to suit your taste. Spread peanut butter on celery sticks, top with raisins and enjoy. This snack is packed with protein and fiber, but it’s also a great way to get your daily dose of fruit.

Check if your toddler is allergic to peanut butter first!

Fruit salad

A fruit salad is a perfect healthy and easy snack ideas. It’s healthy, it’s filling, and best of all, it’s delicious! A fruit salad can be made with any combination of fruits, so you can always mix things up and try new flavor combinations.

A fruit salad is a great way to get your kids to eat their fruits and vegetables, and it’s also a perfect lunch box option for adults looking for a healthy and filling snack.

Trail mix

Trail mix is one of the most versatile lunch box snacks around. It’s healthy and easy snack ideas, moreover, it can be tailored to suit any taste. Here are some tips for making the perfect trail mix:

✅ Start with a base of whole-grain cereal or granola. This will provide lasting energy and essential nutrients.

✅ Add in some dried fruit for sweetness and natural sugar. Just watch the sugar content if you’re adding in candied fruit.

✅ Nuts and seeds are a great source of protein and healthy fats. They’ll help keep you feeling full until lunchtime.

✅ For a little extra crunch, add in some pretzels or crackers. Just be sure to avoid items that are too greasy or salty.

With so many options, it’s easy to create a trail mix that’s perfect for your kids.

Banana chips

Banana chips are a healthy and easy snack ideas for kids. Made from thinly sliced fried or baked bananas, banana chips are a crispy and tasty treat.

Banana chips are a good source of fiber and contain vitamins and minerals such as potassium and magnesium. They are also low in calories and fat, making them a healthier option than other snacks.

When choosing banana chips for your kids, look for those made with natural ingredients and have no added sugar or preservatives.

Rice cakes with nut butter and fruit

A classic kids’ lunch box staple, rice cakes are a welcome change from sandwiches.

And when you top them with nut butter and fruit, they’re an irresistible (and nutritious!) snack. We love the combination of creamy peanut butter and tangy raspberries, but feel free to mix and match your favorites.

Smoothie (all-kids favorite!)

What if I tell you that there is one drink that can serve as both a drink and a dish? That’s right, and it’s called a smoothie! A smoothie is a thick and creamy beverage that combines fruits and vegetables.

They are a great way to get your child to eat the vegetables and fruits they hate. Plus, they are effortless to make, just put all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

Hard-boiled eggs

They’re easy to boil and a good source of protein. Plus, they’re just the right size for little hands. So if you’re looking for something to add to your kids’ snacks time, hard-boiled eggs are a great option.

You can serve hard-boiled eggs with just about anything. Try them with chopped carrot and Dip or with crackers and shredded cheese.

Conclusion

There you have it: 12 healthy and easy snack ideas. Do you have another favorite snacks? Let us know in the comments below. Have a happy and healthy snack time! 

About Me

Hi, there. I am Lin. Together with my husband and two kids, we live in the beautiful Netherlands in Europe. I am dedicated to self-development, creating quality time for the whole family, and fully supporting kids with their potentials with all I have learned from engineering, MBA, and 10+ years of working experience in the energy sector.