Healthy Snacks for Kids at School

When kids are hungry, there’s no time to waste. Here are a few tips for healthy snacks for kids to bring to school or simply grab and go when needed. These fun and healthy snacks for kids are super easy to make and can be made in a hurry.

Here are a few tips for healthy, kid-friendly snacks:

Always include protein: Kids love muffins and you can easily make your own! For an added boost of protein try these kid-friendly Cheddar and Ham Savory Muffins. And make your own trail mix with some nuts and seeds for protein!
Make a large batch: Cook a batch of these Granola Bars and pre-portion them into snack bags. Then simply throw one in their bag each morning.
Customize to their liking: Everyone enjoys snacks that include all of their favorite things. These Greek Yogurt Chewy Breakfast Cookies are easy to customize with their favorite mix-ins. Don’t let the name fool you - they’d make a great snack for school!
Get creative: If they’re going straight to practice after school, you probably don’t have time to make them a fresh smoothie. Instead, whip up one of these Blueberry Cheesecake Smoothies the night before and stick it in the freezer. In the morning, pop it in a lunchbox and it will be thawed out and drinkable by the end of the day!

These healthy and fun snack ideas are super easy to make and take on the go!

Get the kids involved in the snack prep. Giving them choices and having them help with school snacks is a recipe for success for healthy eating. Try these Cabot's recipe suggestions that kids can enjoy at school.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

Smoothies are a tried and true snack or meal for kids that is here to stay. And why wouldn’t they be? They are quick and easy to make for breakfast or a snack, can be as healthy as you choose based on the ingredients you use, and are extremely versatile in the amount of flavor combinations that can be created. Smoothies can be packed in insulated "to-go" mugs and are a perfect healthy snack for kids on the go. Try Cabot's Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie .

Apple, Cheddar, Almond Snack Mix

In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the kids' buy lives (particularly during the school week), it’s especially important to try to keep healthy habits like getting enough sleep, exercising, drinking plenty of water, and eating well. This handy Apple, Cheddar, Almond Snack Mix can be made ahead and popped in the backpack for a grab and go snack for kids. For another healthy on the go snack for kids our popular bento box snack.. Kid's snack box

Lemon Berry Muffins with Greek Yogurt

Fresh (or frozen) berries, Cabot Greek Yogurt, and eggs pack a nutritional punch in these Lemon Berry Muffins with Greek Yogurt that's hard to beat. And muffins of any kind make an easy travel snack for kids.

Healthy Snacks for School

Healthy snacks for school should be nutritious, convenient, and appealing to kids. 93 percent of kids and teens eat at least one snack every day including snacks eaten at school. And about one quarter of kids' total daily nutrient intake comes from snacks. So while the options for between-meal refreshments are plentiful, it’s important that we make them as wholesome and nutritious as possible. Some excellent options include fresh fruit, yogurt, cheese and crackers, vegetables with hummus, trail mix and whole-grain granola bars. Easy packing and transport of school snacks is important too.

Protein is a nutrient that will help kids keep hunger at bay while at school, which helps with concentration. Gram for gram protein is more satisfying than carbohydrates or fat. And dairy is a great way to pump up the protein content of snacks. Cheese, lean meat, eggs, and nuts are all smart snack ideas for kids.

Explore some of Cabot's ideas for healthy snacks for school

Cabot Snack Bars or Sticks

A package of Cabot Creamery Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese bars, set against a red background with whole strawberries and scattered almonds, makes an ideal addition to your charcuterie board. Two lactose-free cheese bars are also unpacked and visible. Packed with healthy nutrients like protein, calcium and vitamins, Cabot's Snack Bars or Stick cheeses make the perfect on-the-go school snack. Whether your kids love the bite of a sharp cheddar or a milder Colby Jack or Gouda, Cabot's got you covered with our 3/4 ounce snack bars and sticks. Room temperature cheese has more flavor, so a couple hours out of the fridge works fine.

Healthy Banana Bread with Yogurt

If your kids love banana bread, but you've been looking for a healthier version, this Healthy Banana Bread with Yogurt recipe is a must-try. It’s lighter and healthier than traditional banana bread, thanks to Cabot's Reduced Fat Plain Greek Yogurt. This is a great make-ahead school snack. Keep some slices in the freezer, pack them up, and they will be perfect by snack time.

Protein Cereal Bars

Protein Cereal Bars make a convenient grab-and-go snack for school, but many store-bought ones contain preservatives and other not-so-healthy ingredients. When you make your own, you’ll have peace of mind knowing exactly what’s in them and this is the perfect recipe for you to try! These protein cereal bars, made with peanut butter, brown sugar, honey, crispy rice cereal and whey protein powder for an extra boost of protein, boast great flavor and a lovely texture.

Chocolate Chia Protein Balls

These Chocolate Chia Protein Balls make the perfect healthy and portable school snack. Made with pitted dates, chia seeds, peanut butter, unsweetened cocoa, and rice krispies, they are delicious while packing a nutritional punch that will give the kids a boost at any time of day. They also have whey protein, a high-quality source of protein that may provide several benefits, such as helping to minimize hunger and keep kids focused.

Carrot Quinoa Breakfast Bread

Carrot Quinoa Breakfast Bread is the perfect way to pack a punch for a school snack. Quinoa is a “superfood”—extremely high in nutrients and protein and low in fat— and is a gluten-free grain that has a ton of nutritional value to help the kids feel energized and ready to learn. Just slice, wrap and pack. Keep some slices in the freezer so they're ready to go.

Apple Cheddar Muffins

These Apple Cheddar Muffins make a healthy snack for school, packing in cheese, eggs, milk and whole wheat flour. Easy to pack up and eat on the go.

Anything goes for healthy snacks for school or play! For more healthy kids snack recipe inspiration, check out our collection of Protein Snacks to Beat After School Hunger.

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