Top 12 Healthy Snacks for Kids

Snacks can present a tricky dilemma. There’s no denying that kids love to snack. In fact, it might even be easier to get your kid to snack than it is to get them to actually sit down to a meal! However, snacks involve some complicated decision-making in their own right. After all, one of the main reasons that kids like snacking so much is that many snacks are often less than ideal in terms of nutrition!

Delicious andNutritious (and Filling)

In this article, we’re showing you 12 healthy snacks for kids that you don’t have to feel bad about. We picked each snack idea in equal parts for their nutritional value, but also because each recipe is a kid-favorites. After all, finding healthy snacks isn’t necessarily hard, it’s in finding healthy food that actually taste good!   

In this list, we also focused on snack food that actually contains some substance. These healthy snack ideas will do what a snack is actually supposed to do – and that is to energize kids between meals.

Veggies and Hummus

When you picture a healthy snack, most of the time it’s going to involve veggies. However, getting your kids to eat a vegetable is another story altogether. Hummus is a great way to make that happen during snack time. Packed with flavor, protein, and healthy ingredients, hummus is an awesome addition to any healthy snack, and you can pack it in your kid’s lunch for a school snack.

Mixed Nuts

Nuts are a delicious, nutritious snack as long as they are eaten in moderation. Full of protein and healthy fats, nuts are a great way to keep any kid energized between meals. You can buy salted nuts, or nuts in any flavor, and even add in some dried fruit. But we recommend sticking to the basic, unseasoned variety of trail mix, and this is mostly because nuts taste great on their own.

Smoothie

How about a smoothie for a snack? The great thing about a smoothie is that you can load it up with as many healthy ingredients as you want. Throw in some fruits and Greek yogurt for a great tasting smoothie. The strong, sweet flavor of the fruits even works to your advantage, as you can sneak in ingredients that your kids may not be so fond of (think spinach and flax seed). 

Hard Boiled Eggs

Hard boiled eggs are a healthy snack staple. Eggs are high in protein (about 7g/egg), high in healthy fats (about 5g/egg), and also contain various other nutrients such as iron, minerals, and vitamins. To top it off, eggs are quite tasty, and it’s difficult to find a picky eater who doesn’t like eggs!

Crackers and Real Peanut Butter

What kid doesn’t like peanut butter? If you can, go with the all-natural peanut butter which is made with just peanuts. This type is very high in protein, at about 25 grams per 100 gram serving. Serve it up on some multigrain crackers and you’ve got a great snack that tastes awesome. Or try a nut butter, like almond butter, and spread it on whole grain toast with sliced banana.

Fruit and Yogurt

A simple snack of fruit and yogurt is a great choice. Greek yogurt is full of nutritional ingredients that helps to keep kids full and energized (fat, protein, carbs), and the fruit brings its own nutritional benefits and taste. They go together great, and form a healthy snack with lots of substance. Sprinkle some granola on top for an added crunch.

Cheese and Whole Grain Crackers

Cheese and crackers – it’s hard to think of a more popular snack for kids! And it certainly helps when a popular snack is quite healthy as well. Cheese is an excellent source of calcium, protein, and healthy fat. It is also high in various vitamins and minerals such as A, B12, and phosphorus. Of course, different cheese tout different health benefits, so be sure to do your research, but it’s hard to go wrong. Serve up on some multigrain crackers for an even healthier snack.

Veggies and Guacamole

Guacamole is another one of those foods that is too good to be true. Jam-packed with healthy ingredients, and so delicious that it makes kids want to eat their vegetables. Guacamole has all the benefits of avocado, which is high in healthy fat, fibre, and vitamins and minerals. Try serving with some carrots, celery, and cucumber.

Chickpea Salad

A chickpea salad is a delicious snack and so easy to whip up. Take some chickpeas, slice up some of your favorite veggies (we recommend, onion, cucumber, and carrots), and add a simple oil-based dressing, like olive oil. Simple, easy, and kids love it. Chickpea salads are packed with veggies, and chickpeas themselves are high in fiber and protein.

Tortilla Roll Ups

Tortilla rolls ups are a really fun snack. Put some turkey and cheese in a tortilla and roll it up, then slice horizontally. You’re left with severalroll up snacks which are fun and delicious. These are a high protein snack to keep active kids going.

Fruit or Vegetables

To round out our list, let’s go back to basics. Sometimes, a simple snack of fruit or veggies is all you need! Your kid probably has a favorite fruit, and might even have a favorite veggie. Why not just make that the snack? The health benefits of fruits and veggies go without saying, the only trick is getting kids to eat them! If they like multiple fruit, cut up some fresh fruit and make a fruit salad. If they enjoy veggies, serve some veggies with cream cheese on the side.

BONUS: Chocolate Milk

For our bonus snack, we’re throwing in a childhood favorite, chocolate milk! Does chocolate milk technically count as a snack? We’re not sure, but kids love it, and that’s all that matters really. Chocolate milk is a delicious treat, and also contains all the benefits of milk. Chocolate milk is a good source of protein, calcium, and vitamin D.

Conclusion

Thanks for checking out our top healthy snacks for kids. We know how difficult it can be to get kids eating healthy, and the purpose of this list is to provide easy homemade snacks for kids that go beyond pre-packaged things like unsweetened applesauce or string cheese. We chose these options for their health benefits, but we also wanted to provide snack options that kids would actually eat and enjoy.

These snacks have substance, and will help fuel kids who lead a healthy lifestyle. After all, snacks can serve an important purpose in anyone’s lifestyle. Just be sure to exercise moderation in anything you give your kids, as it’s never too early to start good snacking habits!