Your child probably still looks forward to eating their favorite after-school snacks when they get home from an extended school day, no matter what grade they are in. This is before they start their homework or go to sports or band practice. And while a quick granola bar or a handful of pretzels can give them energy in a pinch, it might be better for them to make some easy snacks at home once a week. These are the best after-school snacks because they are all easy to make and don’t take long to prepare. These snacks are great because you can grab them on the go. You could get the kids involved in making the meals.
Any combination of sweet, salty, sour, or savory after-school snacks works for some kids. These recipes make sure your kids get a healthy amount of fruits, vegetables, protein, and healthy fats so they can do their math homework, play in a basketball tournament, or play the piano at a recital. Who says you can’t also nibble on these tasty bars, cookies, and dips? And besides, anyone can have a snack at any time. These snack food ideas for after school can help you think of something to give the kids after a long test.
17 Easy After-School Snacks
Here are the delicious 17 easy after-school snacks for kids :
1. Apple Slices with Nut Butter
An old favorite is apple pieces with your pick of nut butter to start. Adding cashew, peanut, or almond butter to other foods is a great way to get the right amount of natural sweetness and healthy fats. This snack is great for kids because it’s full of fiber, vitamins, and protein.
2. Greek Yogurt Parfait
Greek yogurt is very high in protein and makes an excellent base for a tasty and healthy treat. Add fresh fruit, honey, and granola on top to change the texture and taste. The bright colors and different textures will be fun for kids, and they will also get a significant protein and vitamin boost.
3. Vegetable Sticks with Hummus
With a plate of bright vegetable sticks like bell peppers, carrots, and cucumbers, you can give your kids a more savory snack. With hummus on the side, these make a healthy and filling lunch. Hummus is a great way to get protein and good fats, and it also makes eating veggies more fun.
4. Cheese and Whole Wheat Crackers
An easy and filling snack for after school is cheese and whole wheat bread. Cheese has a lot of protein and calcium, and whole wheat bread has fiber and complex carbs that give you energy that lasts.
5. Mini Quesadillas
Whole wheat tortillas can be filled with cheese and healthy ingredients like diced tomatoes, bell peppers, or chopped chicken to make small quesadillas. Toast them in a pan, cut them into wedges, and serve them with salsa for a tasty treat that kids will love.
6. Frozen Grapes
When it’s hot outside, frozen grapes are an excellent and healthy snack. To make a naturally sweet and cold treat, wash and freeze grapes. The superb texture and feel will be fun for kids.
7. Trail Mix
With your kids, make your trail mix by mixing different kinds of nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and chocolate chips for a little extra goodness. For kids who like to be busy, trail mix is a great way to get protein, healthy fats, and energy.
8. Banana Sushi
For a fun and unique snack, have your kids help you make banana sushi. Spread almond or peanut butter on a banana, then roll it in granola or cereal crumbs. Cut it into “sushi” pieces that are easy to eat. Their kids will enjoy this fun way to eat more veggies and whole grains.
9. Mini Pita Pizzas
Put tomato sauce, cheese, and a variety of veggies on top of whole wheat small pita bread to make individual pizzas. Let your kids make their pita pizzas, and then bake them until the cheese melts and turns golden brown.
10. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Cookies are great for everyone. Oatmeal raisin cookies that you make at home with whole grains, less sugar, and a lot of fiber can be a healthy, sweet treat. You can have enough for the entire week if you make a big batch over the weekend.
11. Smoothie Popsicles
Put yogurt, spinach, banana, and berries in a blender to make a healthy smoothie. Then, pour the drink into popsicle molds. You can sneak in some greens and enjoy a cool, relaxing treat with these juice popsicles.
12. Mozzarella and cherry tomato skewers
Skewers of fresh cheese and cherry tomatoes covered with balsamic glaze look great and taste great, too. This snack has a lot of calcium and vitamins, so each bite is full of taste and good for you.
13. Almond Energy Bites
Almond energy bites made at home are the right mix of nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and honey to make them sweet. These snacks don’t need to be baked and are easy to make ahead of time. They will give your kids a quick energy boost.
14. Sandwiches with cucumber
Adding cucumber to a regular sandwich makes it taste better and feel calmer. For a fun snack, just put cucumber slices and cream cheese between two pieces of whole-wheat bread. Then, cut them into different shapes.
15. Small frittatas
Mini frittatas are a great way to give your child a lunch that is both healthy and full of veggies. In a muffin tin, mix eggs, cheese, and chopped vegetables. Bake until set, and you’ll have small frittatas that you can take with you and eat hot or cold.
16. Rice Cakes with Avocado and Tomato
A simple and healthy snack is rice cakes topped with mashed avocado and thin slices of tomato. The avocado adds healthy fats and a smooth texture, and the tomato gives it a fresh taste.
17. Fruit Kabobs
Making fun and bright kabobs out of veggies is one of the best ways to get kids to eat them. Just put small pieces of fruits like melons, cherries, and grapes on wooden sticks. The bright colors and natural sweetness of the fruits will make kids want to eat these healthy treats.
Giving your kids healthy snacks after school is essential to make sure they get the nutrients they need to keep growing and doing fun things. Not only are these 17 easy lunch ideas tasty, but they are also full of vitamins, minerals, and energy sources that your body needs. You can choose from a variety of foods, such as fruit and yogurt parfaits and tasty mini quesadillas. By trying these recipes and getting your kids involved in the cooking, you can find out which snacks they really like. Your kids will have better eating habits and be healthier for a long time if you help them enjoy healthy snacks.
