Kids want snacks. So how do you get them to make better-for-you snack choices? We get it — we’ve got kids too. So we came up with some fresh ideas your kids will love. Turn snack time into a fun (and tasty) interactive occasion where kids can be a part of the process. Not only is it a chance to add more healthy fruits and vegetables, nuts, and whole grains to your kids’ diet, but you may also inspire a future chef in them.
Savory Snacks Your Kids Will Love
Transform a kid-favorite fruit, veggie or sliced bread into the perfect vehicle for loads of nutritious toppings with these creative snacks. Just prepare your snack base and any ingredients that require chopping. Then set up a buffet of fixings. Kids love toppings — the more the merrier (especially when all the choices are good ones)!
Snack base: pear, halved and seeds generously scooped out
Toppings:
Snack base: sweet bell pepper, halved with seeds and membrane removed
Toppings:
Snack base: toasted whole wheat bread
Toppings:
Mashed avocado
365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Large Brown Eggs opens in a new tab, hard-boiled and sliced
365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Mild Cheddar Cheese opens in a new tab, broiled until melted
Snack base: cucumber, cut into long slices
Toppings:
365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Original Hummus opens in a new tab
Radishes, sliced
Cherry tomatoes, halved
Snacks on the Sweeter Side
Kids always want something sweet. Here are some great alternatives to satisfy their sweet tooth while still presenting them with good choices. Same drill: Prepare any ingredients that require chopping to create a buffet of fixings for your kids’ snack.
Snack base: apple slices
Toppings:
Snack base: brown rice cake
Toppings:
Snack base: Banana, peeled and halved lengthwise
(Your bananas are still fair game if they’re overly ripe — but we recommend eating them with a fork.)
Toppings:
365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Peanut Butter opens in a new tab
365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Peanuts Roasted & Salted opens in a new tab, chopped
365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Morning O’s Cereal opens in a new tab
Fresh fruit like blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and kiwi
Snacks for Back-to-School
What is the best snack for kids while they’re at school? School-appropriate snacks should be nutritious, portable and require no refrigeration. Here are simple tips and easy school snack ideas to keep your kiddos’ body and brain fueled during the school day.
When in doubt, always remember to keep things simple, colorful and familiar.
1. Keep it simple.
When it comes to packing snacks and lunches, keeping things simple is key. When shopping for ingredients, start in the produce section. Think easy-to-eat fruits and veggies that can be cut into slices, cubes and sticks, as well as quick, grab-and-go options like cheese sticks and mini sandwich crackers.
2. Keep it colorful and fun.
We all eat with our eyes first — especially kids. So colorful, fun food and the overall presentation can be really important. Keep things fun by including stars, hearts and flower shapes. Often, just a few cuts with a sandwich cutter or mini cutters for smaller items (and the addition of a few fun food picks) can transform a meal into something pretty grand. A couple extra minutes, generous pops of color and a little creativity can make food so much more exciting for kids.
3. Keep it familiar.
Lunchtime is probably not the time to start introducing new foods to your kid. Instead, opt for foods that are familiar and save the new foods for dinnertime.
DIY Bento Box
Let kids play recipe developer (with your help) by having them devise their own bento box with ingredients you have in your pantry or fridge. Don’t have a bento box? No problem — you can use cupcake liners (paper or silicone) or even small bowls to divide the food. Because kiddos love interactive food, we’ve also provided a few dip recipes that fit perfectly into any bento box.
Stick to this game plan:
1. Parents: Steer kids in the right direction by giving them general categories like nuts, veggies, fruit, crackers or cheese for their recipe.
2. Kids: Write out the ingredients list (with parent’s approval, of course).
3. Parents and Kids: Gather ingredients.
4. Kids: Assemble the snack by placing ingredients in each compartment, cupcake liner or bowl.
