We're crowdsourcing recipes for fun snacks for kids, so we all can have ideas on hand to keep our kids fueled in between meals. Many of these are recipes kids can make independently, so it's a fun activity for them, too!
Check out the list to get some inspiration from fellow parents, and add your own go-to kids snack recipes to pay it forward.
Fresh Fruit Popsicles
Vanessa M.: Kids universally love popsicles, and parents can feel good about giving these popsicles to their children. They are made in popsicle molds with chunks of fresh fruit and apple juice, and you can adjust the recipe to whatever types of fruit and juice you'd like! Fresh fruit popsicles are a fun and healthy after school snack that kids are sure to love. From One Little Project
Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Vanessa M.: Peanut Butter Energy Balls make great fuel for busy bodies. On days when my kids stay after school to run in track meets or cheer for basketball games, I make sure to pack a few of these in their backpacks for them to eat after school. The no-bake recipe only takes a few minutes to make; just mix the ingredients together, roll them into balls, and chill! Feel free to substitute sun butter and omit crushed peanuts for nut allergies. From Home Made Interest
Flourless Banana Oat Blender Muffins
Vanessa M.: This is one recipe my whole family cannot get enough of. I feel good about making these Flourless Banana Oat Blender Muffins because they come together in a snap, and they satisfy our sweet tooth while still being a healthy snack. They are great for taking on the go, for before sports practice or any after school activity. From Mother Thyme
No Bake Apple Donuts
Vanessa M.: These healthier "donuts" are fun to make together, and are sure to put a smile on your child's face. Apple rounds are topped with cocoa powder and peanut butter (or substitute sun butter for nut allergies) to create donut "frosting". Kids will enjoy spreading the frosting on their donuts and topping with sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, granola, or chopped nuts or seeds. From Fork and Beans
Peanut Butter Fruit Dip
Vanessa M.: This delicious dip only uses 3 ingredients and takes only about 2 minutes to put together! This tasty dip is great for dipping fresh apple slices, banana, berries, graham crackers, pretzels, or whatever you'd like! From Cooking Classy
High Fiber Smoothie
Vanessa M.: This is a green (but not green) smoothie! This high fiber, whole foods fruit smoothie packs a powerful yet tasty punch! Frozen blueberries, banana, Greek yogurt, flax seed, spinach, honey, and milk are blended together for the perfect after school pick-me-up. Unlike other green smoothies, this is one kids will love to drink because in spite of being made with vitamin rich spinach, it keeps its purple color and little ones will only taste sweet blueberry goodness. From Create Kids Club
Pantry Popcorn Mix
Vanessa M.: Pantry Popcorn Mix is sure to be a hit with kids, and is easy to bring along for after school snacking on the go. It has that sweet/salty combination that kids and grownups alike crave! This recipe mixes kids' favorite pantry staples, like popcorn, mini pretzels, Goldfish crackers, and peanut M&Ms. From The BakerMama
Healthy Candy Bracelets
Vanessa M.: Healthy Candy Bracelets are a fun after school project and snack in one. Kids can use string or elastic cording, along with a large needle with a dull tip, to string their favorite O shaped cereal, dried fruits, yogurt covered blueberries or raisins, banana chips, or whatever they like into yummy bracelets or necklaces. From One Little Project
Frozen Yogurt Grapes
Molly Weber: I love this healthy treat for my little one. It's literally only two steps to make and can be prepared in large batches to have on hand in the freezer for when you need a quick snack. This is definitely something that your kids can help make since it simply requires dipping the frozen grapes in yogurt and placing them back in the freezer. Plus, when they get bored of it, you can mix things up by picking a new yogurt flavor or adding a topping. From Super Healthy Kids
Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Jennie Utsinger: If I'm going to let my kids have chocolate chips for morning snacks at school, at least I know that they're getting a hearty serving of whole grains as well. The beauty of this recipe is that you can play around with decreasing the sugar or swap out the chocolate chips for raisins. You can also substitute coconut oil for the canola oil. Last but not least, these bars freeze beautifully, so that you can always have one ready for a quick snack. From Weelicious
Cinnamon Sugar Microwave Apple Chips
Vanessa M.: What a quick and easy recipe! Simply cut apples into thin slices, sprinkle with a little cinnamon and sugar, and microwave. Apple chips make a great after school snack when the kiddos want something sweet. It's like eating little slices of apple pie! From The Cookie Rookie
Whole-Wheat Toaster Pastries
Molly Weber: My whole family loves pop tarts but they contain so much added sugar and other less than desirable ingredients. This recipe includes mostly ingredients that you would already have on hand. It has been a big hit in our house and can be made ahead and kept in the freezer for a quick afternoon snack or even just for busy mornings. From 100 Days of Real Food
Sweet Spinach Muffins
Jennie Utsinger: We eat a lot of muffins in our house, and these spinach muffins are one of my kids' favorites! They love the bright green flavor and the spinach keeps the muffins from tasting too dry. Made with whole wheat flour, banana, and spinach, they're nutritious as well as delicious. From Super Healthy Kids
Fish In The River
Vanessa M.: You've heard of ants on a log? This version is called Fish in the River, and it couldn't be any cuter! Fill celery in with cream cheese and top with Goldfish crackers. Mix it up with different flavors of cream cheese and Goldfish crackers to find your kids' favorite flavor combinations. From Food.com
Chocolate Chip Banana Yogurt Snack Bars
Vanessa M.: Whole wheat flour and Greek yogurt make these snack bars as healthy as they are delicious. Banana and milk chocolate chips make them irresistible to hungry little ones. This is a great recipe for kids to help with; they can smash bananas, help stir, and sprinkle (and sample) the chocolate chips. It's the perfect way to use up overripe bananas! From Together As Family
Primary photo: Daniel Hjalmarsson on Unsplash
Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.
