25 Healthy Snack Ideas For Kids

As a mom of two very active little ones I learned early on the importance of having nutritious food on hand to fuel their growing bodies. We love discovering new snack options and decided to put together this list of our favorite healthy snack ideas for kids to help other parents who are also on the hunt for some clean eating choices!

One of the downfalls to living in our fast paced society is the temptation we have to grab a quick and easy meal or snack that isn’t always packed full of nutrients. Typical convenience foods are rarely helpful in nourishing our bodies with the nutrients they need to thrive.

However, I’ve learned that with a little bit of thinking outside the box and prepping ahead of time, healthy snacks are not only doable, but delicious and preferable too!

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Healthy Snack Ideas For Kids

Although some of these healthy snack ideas for kids may seem a little non-traditional, they are delicious alternatives to normal processed food. Many of these have become favorites in our home.

I fully understand that you may be thinking that your kiddos won’t go for some of these ideas. BUT … I’ve realized that when my children see me enjoying a snack, their curiosity is piqued and they typically want to try it too! Be an example to them and you may just be surprised at how easy it is to get them to enjoy healthy food for kids.

So whether you’re looking for some healthy toddler snacks on the go or healthy snacks for kids lunch boxes, we’ve got your covered! Below are 25 of our current favorites!

1. Frozen dragon fruit and mango
2. Avocado toast – mashed up avocado, olive oil, lemon juice, sea salt, and (optional) crushed red pepper flakes spread on sprouted grain toast
3. Apple with almond butter with sprinkle of cinnamon
4. Nut and seed crackers (such as Mary’s gone crackers) with cashew “cheese”
5. Almonds and raisins
6. Smoothie
7. Banana “ice cream”
8. Raw veggies and hummus
9. Frozen banana sandwiches- banana slices with nut butter in the middle and frozen. (Optional melt dark chocolate and coconut oil together and dip sandwiches in chocolate, then freeze).
10. Hard boiled egg, organic uncured turkey or pepperoni, and nut and seed crackers
11. Fruit skewers- fruit thread onto coffee stirrers or bamboo sticks
12. Kids GoMacro bar
13. Homemade granola
14. Sweet potato fries- thinly sliced potatoes, coconut oil, sea salt, pepper, paprika bake at 425 for 12 minutes flipping once.
15. Plantain chips and guacamole
16. Ants on a log- celery sticks, nut butter, and raisins
17. Fried bananas with coconut cream
18. Healthy homemade popsicles
19. No sugar added dried fruit
20. Homemade clean eating energy bites or protein bars
21. Fruit and nut trail mix
22. Turkey lettuce wraps- Lettuce, turkey slice, grape tomato slices, chipotle lime mayo (or regular)
23. Plain fruit and veggie slices/sticks
24. Handful of nuts- pistachios, cashews, pecans, almonds, etc.
25. Fresh cherries and a few dark chocolate squares

What Are Some Healthy Snacks to Buy?

Although fresh and wholesome homemade snacks are preferable, they’re not always doable. Here are a few storebought salty and sweet snacks for kids that are still full of nutrition, making them perfect for those “grab and go” days.

• Fresh fruit/ veggies
• Applesauce
• Nuts
• Seeds- sunflower, pumpkin
• Organic jerkey
• Roasted chickpeas
• Nut & seed crackers
• Applegate organic pepperoni or deli meat
• Larabar Kid
• Hummus or guacamole for veggies
• Low sugar greek yogurt
• Air popped pop corn

What Are Some Healthy Snacks That Are Easy to Make?

I’d encourage you to get your children involved in making some fun healthy snacks for kids. Homemade popsicles, banana “ice cream”, and protein bars are some of our favorites to make together! Make it fun for them and they will begin to enjoy not only eating healthy, but also enjoy putting the effort into preparing healthy food as well!

• Paleo muffins
• Chia seed pudding
• Chocolate avocado mousse
• Popsicles
• Nice cream
• Protein balls or bars
• Dips (cashew cheese, hummus, paleo ranch, salsa) for veggies & tortilla chips
• Overnight oats
• Apple/pear butter
• Chia seed strawberry jam

What Are Good Snacks to Send to School?

If you’re looking for some good options to send to school, the ideas below are perfect healthy snacks for kids lunch boxes! So much of what our children are drawn to in terms of snacking is all in the presentation! Get a variety of colorful fruits and veggies, and place them in a fun container or create a fun picture out of them. Pack some homemade treats with their favorite flavors. Or try to recreate one of their (not so healthy) favorites with a healthy spin.

Most of the ideas listed above can easily work as a school snack, but here are a few additional options too 😉 .

• Energy balls
• Tuna/chicken/egg salad
• Paleo fruit rollups
• Epic bar
• Justin’s nut butter squeeze pack
• Siete grain free chips
• Paleo cookie

You may have noticed that a few of the items listed are “Paleo”. The beauty of the Paleo diet is that every ingredient in these recipes is all natural and, therefore, healthy by default. Paleo baking can be a great way to satisfy a sweet tooth without compromising on nutrients.

Teaching our children healthy habits and leading them by example will go a long way in guiding them to live an overall healthy lifestyle. Our faithful example can help to instill within them a desire to take care of the health God has given them. I hope that this list of healthy snack ideas for kids is helpful to you and you find some new favorites!