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As the summer winds down and the school year approaches, parents everywhere are gearing up for the busy days ahead. One essential part of the back-to-school routine is making sure you have plenty of easy school snacks on hand. Whether you’re looking for snacks for school lunch boxes or are preparing after-school treats, here are some fantastic back to school snack ideas to keep kids energized and smiling.
Making homemade snacks for school lets you control the ingredients and customize to your family’s tastes. And it doesn’t have to be complicated! Here are some of our favorite easy school snacks you can make in a flash.
Bite-sized muffins are great back to school snack ideas. You can make them in advance and store them in the freezer for a grab-and-go option. You’ll need whole wheat flour, mashed bananas, unsweetened applesauce, a touch of honey, and a handful of blueberries. Mix the ingredients, pour into mini muffin tins, and bake until golden brown.
Who says sandwiches require bread? Cucumber sandwiches make great back to school snacks that are nutritious and fun to eat. Simply slice a large cucumber into rounds. Spread chive cream cheese between two slices and enjoy!
To make your own granola bars at home, combine oats, honey, peanut butter, chopped nuts, dried fruits, and dark chocolate chips in a bowl. Press the mixture into a baking dish and refrigerate until firm. Cut into bars and enjoy!
Yogurt parfaits are refreshing after school snacks and provide a great way to sneak in some calcium and probiotics. In a cup, layer Greek yogurt, berries, and granola. Repeat the layers and top with a drizzle of honey and serve chilled. To take this treat on the go, one of our favorite lunch packing hacks is to make a yogurt parfait in a mason jar that you can cap.
Pair your kid’s favorite cheese with whole grain crackers for added fiber and nutrients. To make these school snacks for kids fun to eat, turn them into mini sandwiches. Cheese and crackers also make great after school snacks.
If you’re looking for nut free snacks for kids, you can’t go wrong with nature’s candy—fruit! Thread colorful fruits like strawberries, grapes, and melon balls on a wooden skewer. Kids will love the fun presentation and parents will love that these school snacks for kids are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber to keep kids energized and focused.
When you need good snacks for school to eat on the go, give trail mix a try. Combine a variety of nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and a few dark chocolate chips for a sweet and savory treat. Portion into small snack bags and you’re good to go!
Sometimes you just want snacks for school lunch boxes that are shelf stable and easy to grab as you head out the door. Some of our favorite options include:
Baked chips are less greasy than regular potato chips and offer a savory crunch in many different flavors.
Featuring kid-friendly animal shapes, these snacks are always a great choice for back to school.
Whether or not s’mores are involved, graham crackers are a hit with kids of all ages.
These kid-approved back to school snacks can be served at room temperature or refrigerated depending on your child’s preference.
Made with whole fruit as the main ingredient, new Welch’s® Absolute Fruitfuls™ Fruit Strips are non-sticky, with a soft and delicious mouthfeel that gets better with every bite. Now available nationwide, these mouthwatering snacks are individually packaged for ultimate lunch box convenience.
Some occasions like classroom parties call for creative snacks with a back to school theme. What is the best snack to bring to school for a classroom party when you want to make a statement? Read on for some fun classroom snack ideas.
Turn ordinary pretzel sticks into cute pencil-shaped snacks. These are perfect for adding a bit of whimsy to any snack table. Dip the top half of a pretzel rod into melted yellow candy melts. Allow to cool and harden. Dip the bottom tip into melted pink candy melts for the eraser. Once cooled, add a mini chocolate chip at the tip of the yellow part to resemble the pencil lead.
This snack is great for younger kids learning their ABCs. You’ll need sliced bell peppers, cucumber sticks, carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, and your child’s favorite dip. Arrange the veggie sticks in a cup or on a plate to form the letters A, B, and C. Serve with creamy salad dressing, hummus, or any other dip on the side.
This creative twist on a classic sandwich will surely make the grade. Make a sandwich of your choice and cut it into the shape of a school bus. Use small round crackers as the wheels and attach them with a dab of cream cheese. Use cheese slices to add windows and details.
Encourage a love of reading with bookworm fruit cups. This snack is as nutritious as it is adorable. Fill a small cup with a mix of grapes, blueberries, and sliced strawberries. Use a toothpick to secure a grape or blueberry on top as the bookworm’s head and add candy eyes for a fun finishing touch.
Transform a classic snack into a fun and educational treat with apple slice notebooks. Slice an apple into thin rounds, then trim into a rectangle shaped “pages” to resemble a book. Spread a thin layer of nut butter, such as peanut butter or almond butter, on each page. Break pretzel sticks into small pieces and press them in between the two pages to create a book spine. Then cut Welch’s® Absolute Fruitfuls™ Fruit Strips into thin strips and place them horizontally to resemble lined paper.
We hope these back to school snack ideas will help you add a dash of fun to your child’s day, making learning and lunchtime something to look forward to. Don’t forget to add these school snacks for kids to your back to school checklist. Have a wonderful school year!
