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Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids
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I walked up and down every aisle looking for healthy snack ideas for kids. I picked out some things and am now sharing my findings with you!
I don’t know about you all with kids, but mine are total snackers. If they had a choice, they would totally eat snacks all day rather than sit down and eat a meal. I get so frustrated sometimes, mostly because I don’t have what they want on hand and most of the time when they say “Mom, I’m hungry!” I draw a blank as to what to feed them…ya know, besides a glass of water.
So one day, I just went to Fred Meyer on a mission to find healthy snacks for my kids. I walked up and down every aisle and picked out things I knew they would like.
While in the cheese section, I found this little sign 🙂 So cool! If you caught this post, you’ll know that I’m working with Kroger on this exact program. Just helping spread the word about their Little Victories campaign, where if you make small tweaks to the products you buy, you could make a big difference in your health. That’s what I tried to do with these snacks I bought for my kids. So simple to do and it’s a lot less expensive too! Score!
Here’s what ended up in my cart for my kiddos besides the fruits and veggies:
Trail Mix: this is the third bag of Kroger trail mix I’ve purchased this year. Why do I love this brand of trail mix? Because it has more raisins and nuts than chocolate pieces. I hate giving my kids the trail mix that is mostly chocolate. I was pleasantly surprised to open this package and have to dig around to find a bunch of chocolate pieces…and my kids don’t seem to notice a difference.
Whipped Greek Cream Cheese Spread: this is obviously not a snack on its own, but added to a toasted mini whole wheat bagel with a few thin slices of cucumber makes a yummy snack. This stuff is pretty darn tasty on any toasted bread product plus its made with greek yogurt, so it’s a lot healthier than plain old cream cheese.
Rice cakes: My kids LOVE rice cakes, so naturally I buy these a lot. I never ever buy potato chips and even trying to convince me to buy tortilla chips is pushing it. I love that these come in different sweet and salty flavors AND that they are significantly cheaper than the brand name version right next to them on the shelf.
String Cheese: this makes a good grab and go snack. A lot of times, I will bring a snack or two in the car if we’re headed somewhere and most of the time string cheese fits the bill.
Raisins: Blake is a raisin freak. He will eat them all.time.time and won’t stop unless I take them away. I always try to have a stock of raisins in the house to keep that little son of mine happy. These also get thrown into my bag as snacks when we’re headed out the door.
Other snacks I buy for my kids:
- unsweetened applesauce pouches {Kroger makes a great one I love}
- pretzels
- cut-up fruit or veggies
- rolled up slices of lunch meat, like my beloved pepper turkey
- granola bars
- hummus and pita
- greek yogurt {tubes or cups}
A lot of the time, my biggest problem is remembering what to buy! I’m such a forgetful person. Mom-brain is a REAL THING, people. So, it’s really good for me to write this post out and purposefully go to the store with this in mind. Hopefully you’ll use some of these ideas listed or expand on this list to help think of some new ones.
Overall, Kroger is a great brand to look out for and purchase. We love it!
I was a couple months from 36 years old when my daughter, my miracle baby, Rhio, was born. And, honestly, I worry EVERY DAY whether I’m doing it right or just messing up this whole parenting thing!! But, after reading this, I feel a whole lot better! At 2 years old, Rhio has had a hot dog MAYBE one time, hates mac and cheese and doesn’t really go for junk food and I realize now that it’s because she has ALWAYS eaten healthy so it’s all she knows! Her ABSOLUTE favorite dinner is Spinach and cheese Tortellini in pesto sauce with tomato and cucumber slices on the side, we call the craisin, raisin and dried cherry mix I make for her “fruit snacks” (she’s NEVER had a typical “fruit snack!”) and she eats her veggies first usually begging for more!! I also ALWAYS do whole grain EVERYTHING (even crackers), so she’s grown so accustomed to this, that she refuses to eat white bread or regular club crackers! Knowing I’m already doing all the things you mentioned and more, helps me to feel like maybe I’m not doing so bad after all!!! Thanks!!!
[…] Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids […]
Great article. We pack rice cakes and raisens for lunch instead of the classic PB and J. Trying to reduce so many processed sugar and fat.
[…] Little Victories campaign is all about! Read more about it in my first post here or a separate post here. And don’t forget to scroll down to enter for your chance to win a HUGE prize […]
My little victory is making it to the gym before a day filled with studying!
Love these ideas!
I love the Kroger Rice Cakes too!!!
My 2 year old grandson adores snacks such as: squeeze applesauce; raisins; craisins; sliced apples; grapes; tortilla chips & salsa (I know); round-sliced pickles; and my favorite – yogurt! When I was a kid, our snacks were things like Zingers, Ding-Dongs, potato chips, pretty much everything moms don’t feed their kids today!
Excited to try the Greek style cream cheese!
It’s important to eat healthy snacks, it is a weak point that people aren’t even aware of. great post ans awesome giveaway!
My little victory is an afternoon pick-me-up snack, usually consisting of fresh fruit or trail mix!!
My kids are snackers too. They would totally skip meals and just eat snacks. I make homemade granola bars, pumpkin muffins and smoothies to keep snack time healthy. We keep a lot of fresh produce and low fat snacks on hand.
Our favorite snacks are stovetop popcorn, apples with peanut butter and fruit smoothies. Love your blog!
We mix up our own snack mix using cherrioes, pretzel sticks, raisins, goldfish crackers and a few m&ms.
These are some great ideas for my five year old – thank you!!
Cheese stix, greek yogurt, apples with peanut butter, trail mix with nuts and dry cereal, sugar free pudding with almond milk, hard boiled eggs are all some of our go to snacks. I like luna bars and such but they can tend to be expensive and high in calories.
With four young kids I’m always handing out snacks so this is great!
My daughter is a hummus eating machine. She’ll dip just about anything in it, but especially peppers and cucumbers!
I’m a big fan of Kroger and Kroger brand products as well. I just recently discovered their applesauce pouches and my kids LOVE them! String cheese is also always in my grocery cart!
My tiny victory is getting my kiddo to eat greek yogurt and fresh fruit instead of cookies.
Love healthy snacks and Kroger!
My victory today & throwing together homemade, healthy lunches for my 4 snack monsters. String cheese, boxed raisins & unsweetened applesauce are my must haves for their lunches.
My little victory is setting carrots or other veggies out while I’m cooking dinner. My kids eat lots of vegetables before dinner then and eat them when they are most hungry so they eat more.
My little victory for today is bringing a healthy lunch for myself to work. I made a pot of vegetable soup last night (Kroger frozen veggies are so convenient) so brought a bowl of that along with a healthy wrap. Kroger had the FlatOut flatbread B1G1 free this week and a great sale on their Private Selection Roasted chicken in the deli.
I love that pepper turkey! My kids enjoy lots of these same snacks, except none of the three of them like raisins for some reason. Thanks for the giveaway!
I got the laundry washed, dried, and folded. All 5 loads!
Little victory would be to have had a small sandwich and orange with me for when I got the munchies.
I definitely need help in the snack department. My son is a snacker!
The cream cheese with Greek yogurt sounds really interesting. I’d love to try it.
Thanks for the tips, Lauren! I love that Fred Meyer carries KIND bars for a healthy snack choice. 🙂
I use a lot of the same stuff for my son. He loves cheese! I try to give as many healthier things I can. Kroger is a good alternative when I shop at Ralph’s which is usually more expensive stuff.
My little victory was eating breakfast (this rarely happens)
My little victory for today is keeping up my yoga goal! I also love all these snack ideas, they’ll be great for me to snack in between my classes and the hospital!
Granola cereal on yogurt and little carrots with ranch make a great snack.
thanks for the ideas, my kids are always pesting for snacks and I always struggle with having healthy filling option’s.
I loved Kroger’s deals when I lived in Virginia!
Getting fresh veggies in lunch everyday,
My whole family has gotten hooked on Kind bars; great alternative to junky candy bars.
Egg whites instead of whole eggs! That’s my little victory today:)
Greek yogurt is one of my go-to snacks.
I love Kroger brand selection! They have the greatest snacks and food products for kids.
It is a constant battle to get my grandson to eat healthy snacks. His daddy is a sugar junkie, so he is too.
we are definitely a healthy snacking family. If my daughter says she is hungry I offer her fresh fruit/vegetables or raisins and sometimes cheese. Thanks for the giveaway!
Since we don’t have Kroger, I’m entering for my Aunt. She is victorious every single day. She provides daily care for my other Aunt who is disabled. Shops at Kroger all the time. She is constantly finding new healthy ways to appease my Aunt’s picky palate as her medications contribute to weight gain.
I found out you can bake using mason jars for individual servings!
My sons go to snack when he gets home from school, APPLES! Silly me if I dare ask if he wants it cut up, “cuz he’s 8 you know and can eat them like a big kid” LOL
Very helpful ideas on healthy but tasty snacks my kids might actually eat!
My daughter’s new go-to snack is yogurt with granola. Also, as long as I have veggies cut up and ready to grab, my kids will eat them up with hummus or salsa to dip them in.
I love the little laughing cow cheese. It pairs well with pretzels!
I love these ideas! I’m a huge snacker too, and I am always looking for snacks that won’t make me blow up like a balloon. Thank you for your ideas! Love reading your posts!
I’m always looking for healthy snack ideas 🙂
Wow! Love the snack ideas!
WE love Kroger around here!
My victory for today was making a healthier version of Mac n Cheese not loaded with so much cheese by included pureed Eggplant and all my kids are it!! My husband loved it too. 😉
Great ideas! My kids love pretzel sticks dipped in peanut butter.
Great snack ideas. I love to feed my 3 and 5 year old boys healthy food and snacks. It seems like they’re always hungry. Carrots, berries, apple slices with peanut or almond butter, chunks of cheese, and yogurt are some of their favorites
Woah. This would be amazing.
My victory today was when my son asked for a snack he asked for fruit!
Today’s little victory: made a healthy snack instead of dessert!
Hi Lauren, great post. I noticed what looks like your handbag in one of the photos. I love the color, and the studs. I’ve been looking for a nice studded handbag forever. Would you mind sharing more info. about it?
Have a great week!
My family lives Kroger! Thanks for sharing more snack ideas!!
I warmed up corn tortillas in coconut oil instead of taking the easy way out and serving tortilla chips.
Great ideas – Kroger has great prices and fresh produce I stock on to feed to the kids!
Wonderful snack ideas!!
Healthy!!
My little victory was the Brussels sprouts, bacon, and pecans I sautéed for supper.
My small Victory is getting my 3 year old son with Autism to eat green smoothies. He doesn’t mind the taste of vegetables but he is very particular about textures. If he eats something besides a grilled cheese sandwich or chicken nuggets-it’s a victory in our house!
My victory is getting my kids to eat fresh grapefruit. Thank you Kroger for having it on sale!!
I made homemade yogurt!
Love shopping at Kroger!!! Always find great deals!
My victory today was making it to church on time with three little kids! My husband has to be there early so I have to get them ready on my own.
My victory today was moving a ton of hay into the hay loft for the horses and celebrateing with water instead of soda!
i wanted to order pizza but went to KROGER and got stuff to make spaghetti instead. 🙂
My 3 and 5 year old are definitely snackers as well. They also tend to snack on a few items over and over and then get bored and want something different. Now we have some great ideas for new snacks!
I didn’t have a second helping at lunch!
Started my day with a healthy breakfast!
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!
My latest favorite snack is Babybell lite cheese wheel and a tart granny smith apple slice.
Going to give these a try
I think I have used a variation of most of these but I have not tried toasting their mini bagels. My kid also loves string cheese plus a dried fruit.
just cleaned out the pantry to start the year off healthy!
I’ve been working hard to come up with healthy snacks for my 18 month old. Hard to come up with new ideas that are nutritious and exciting for a little one!
I love Kroger too!
Cleaned out the pantry getting ready to eat better in 2015!
I wanted to make cookies but instead I made peanut butter no-bake oatmeal balls with whole wheat flour!
I agree, it’s best to start them early with whatever method works the best.
i too love Kroger it’s a great brand at a great price! Go Kroger!
Also thank you for all your posts I love them all, the recipes, your new bathroom, the adorable bedroom, your daughter must love it I know I would! Also your posts about your lovely family, we are so blessed to have you share with us, thank you, thank you THANK YOU! You are awesome!
Our fav little victory snack…apples and almond butter!….filling and delish! I’m going to have to try the rice cakes instead of chips…my teen son, in particular, REALLY loves the chips…looking for healthier choice to satisfy the savory/crunchy craving;)
we are starting to juice our veggies and fruits .. that way our son could have his greens and fruits in 1 glass!
Eating healthy and enjoying time with my family!
We all ate a good lunch…including the 21 month old!
String cheese and granola bars are big snack foods in our house. Great giveaway.
Thanks for the ideas!
my 18mo old sure loves his Greek yogurt, I’m going to see what he think of rice cakes next time we go shopping, it would be a great alternative to sugary sweets! Thanks for the ideas!
Great ideas!
Great ideas! Can’t wait to give some a try!
I’ve never enjoyed drinking water. Adding lime or lemon has helped it taste better and I’m drinking more fluids.
Thanks for the opportunity!! We’re big snackers so I’m happy to see new options out there!
My husband is a snacker ~~ Switching him over to yogurt, cheeses and other healthy snacks has made him a slimmer, happier person. He says the healthy snacks are much more satisfying too 😀 Learning more ideas to give us a larger spectrum of choices is ongoing…. 😀
Love those choices-thanks for putting it all together
Love the ideas
My small victory is day number 11 of eliminating sugar and increasing water in my diet.
Thanks for the great ideas!
These are great snack ideas for my family – husband, college-aged daughter and myself. We are all trying to eat healthier and reduce the amount of added sugar in our diets. Today our small victory is that we cooked and ate breakfast at home after church instead of going to our favorite breakfast spot – that’s a win in my book – and less calories and fat too ! Thanks for the post.
These are great snack ideas! Most of these I usually eat for snacks but there is a few I haven’t tried. I am for sure going to try the whipped Greek cream cheese spread. I always love your posts and trying new things. Thanks!
Fresh squeezed orange juice for the family!
I am looking forward to trying out the Greek Yogurt Cream Cheese. I have seen people use it in all different ways and want to try it!
These are great ideas and trust me with teenagers snacking seems to never stop. .. my little victory today was reading this before I went to the store now I have snack ideas my kids will eat.
My little victory for the day was making it to the grocery store last night. It’s been so busy during the day on the weekends that it’s unbearable. I’m happy I was able to enjoy shopping again 🙂
Oh you have so many fabulous ideas!! This year we made a vow to eat healthier foods. I also started making yummy healthy smoothies and after seeing the greek yogurt on your blog that is on my grocery list to pick up. If I don’t write it down I will totally forget when I’m at the grocery store! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I’ve started making baby food again for my six month old and freezing it in ice cube trays. Bonus, since it’s already in the freezer, it’s ready to pull some out and add it to soups and sauces that the rest of the family eats. More veggies and no one even knows!
Great snack ideas! And thank you for the great giveaway! I think our house is a snacking state. We snack all the time (nursing mom here).
Great snack ideas! If I could get my son to actually have a snack, that would be a little victory!
I’m always looking for new ideas to eat healthier for myself and when the grandkids visit.These are great ideas! This is an awesome gift package!
thanks for the good ideas! finding healthy snacks that my toddler loves is a challenge but not one I’m willing to give up on.
Only thing is… I heard that raisins weren’t as healthy as people thought they were? I think I even heard that they have as much sugar as some kinds of candy! It seems to me even high in sugar it still has to be healthier then some of the super processed sugar added junk food out there but still… I was hesitant to serve raisins bc of it.
I have also been on the hunt for healthy snack ideas. After multiple requests a day for snacks, I run out of ideas. However, the last few days, I have added a few more to my list: dried fruit in the oven (apples, kiwi, bananas) and a green smoothie. My 3 year old and 20 month old love both. I love getting healthy snacks into them..feels like a mom victory!
Love all your ideas great for adults also! :O)
I would Love a kitchen aid mixer !!
Who doesn’t love a snack. Great ideas, Lauren!
wish we had a Kroger here!
everything I buy at the grocery store I think about the effect it will have on hubby and my weight loss success over the past few years. Kroger has some great choices.
This is an awesome list! I love the quality food at less expensive prices 🙂
My two year old loves string cheese and we just learn this week he loves trail mix with dried fruit and nuts.
Just left Kroger with a boneless pork loin; the only meat my seven year old will eat….it was on sale which was an added bonus.
Thankfully, my daughter rarely asks for the junky types snacks, but that is probably because we’ve never really introduced those types of foods into her diet. She regularly asks for the healthier options, all on her own. What I find to be more difficult, is the ingredients in some healthy foods. Why do companies find it necessary to add artificial flavor and colors? That is the most aggregating part of maintaining a healthy diet, in my opinion.
Great snack ideas! I could eat cheese sticks and granola bars all day long!
I make homemade granola. I know what’s in it and it is so much cheaper than pre-made stuff. I it also makes a great snack.
Love
We have been playing all morning with no requests from my son to play on my phone. He also ate all of his breakfast.
Love health snacks for the grandchidren and love Kroger.
This post is right on time! I’m trying to eliminate a lot of the junk food I buy for my kiddos and this post has given me a breath of fresh air and some awesome ideas for my next shopping trip!
My little victory is freezing meals. I froze two yesterday so thats two days less of unhealthy drive through food!
Thanks for the ideas! I have a hard time getting my kids to try anything new, especially healthy stuff. Last night they actually tied orange bell pepper slices….and liked them! Yay!
I make homemade granola and breakfast bars
I love the idea of really thinking about our children’s snacks. They deserve to enjoy food all while learning
Healthy habits.
My 6 yr old is a total snacker, so thanks for some great ideas! We have a Kroger not even 5 minutes away, but I’ve never tried their brand. Most definitely will after reading this post. Thanks!
Changing out our current snacks for more healthier snacks! Thanks for all of the great ideas. Putting in the same healthy snacks every day gets a little boring. I like finding more options so that I can mix things up a little! 🙂
I planted kale, peas, and turnips today!
Great snack ideas. My kids love hummus and we are going to start making some of our own.
This is a great list Lauren! My kiddo is a bit older than yours and she also really enjoys Apple slices with peanut butter and whole raw almonds which as super easy to tote around with you to practices!
Our small victory is meal planning. Three weeks of clean, healthy dinners bought and prepped yesterday. If it wasn’t on the list, it didn’t go in the cart! That’s 21 days of healthy food for my family, all mapped out so I don’t even have to think twice about it each day, hooray!
I’ve been making homemade granola bars. Those seem to be favorites as long add they have chocolate chips.
Getting my son to eat carrots and ranch for a snack. Now to just get my daughter to enjoy veggies as a snack. I’m not sure that will ever happen within my lifetime. She is quite a sugar junkie.
My kids are total snackers–they would much rather eat snacks all day then sit down to 3 good meals. So, instead of completely fighting it, I am resolving to make those snacks good, balanced and healthy. This afternoon, I’ll be baking some healthy snack bars and mini-muffins (using Kroger pumpkin puree) to restock the snack cabinet.
I love all the snack ideas! One thing I’ve been doing with my 19 month old is buying organic fruit and veggie pouches. He’d rather snack on that instead of drinking a ton of juice. I’ve noticed that by doing this he sleeps longer at night. Win-win!!
It’s a victory every time I get the little one to eat healthy and Kroger brand cheese sticks are both healthy and easy in the budget!
Cleaned out my fridge!
It’s always great to have extra snack options since both my kids have different allergies and sensitivities…thanks will try to incorporate many of your ideas!!!
I recently moved and now there is not a Kroger nearby! I miss shopping there. I love the healthy snacks, as a student you can never have too many – I would be careful about the raisins though they are quiet sticky and sugary.
I made up 22 mixes for healthy breakfast foods to help mornings go more smoothly.
Thanks for all the great ideas. Its difficultnro find healthy snacks for kids
Love kroger!! Cheese sticks are the best.
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing
Love Kroger!! My kids are grazers too so we keep a lot of snacks on hand.
Freezer cooking to avoid eating out
My victory is adding peas to alfredo and no one making a fuss.
Made a big batch of steel cut oats yesterday. Am eating a ready made jar for breakfast!
Today is the last day of the old me. Saying hello to healthier eating habits.
Thanks for the ideas! My five year old just found out she loves hummus. I chose not to tell her they’re made from beans since she claims not to like them. 🙂
Great ideas!
My small victory today was that I slept in! (:
I clicked on this post because often times I’m left to watch my younger siblings while my mom is at work and I have a hard time with snacks. These are great ideas we will be trying !
These are awesome snack ideas! I love rice cakes and I’ve never thought about getting small ones for the babe. My victory is the 3 crock pot meals I’ve made this week, including tonight’s balsamic need!
Thanks Lauren for the great ideas. I feel like when I pack school snacks and lunches I am always putting the same things in. You have provided some good examples of different options that can easily be pulled out of the pantry or fridge.
My son ate the crust on his toast! Lol
I always buy the same snacks. I need to change it up more often. Great giveaway!
Today’s snack will be carrots and fruit. No cookies or candy!
My kids are the exact same way! Tiny little snack monsters!
My little victory for today is giving my kids granola cereal instead of the usual frosted flakes. They claimed it was “crunchy” and that’s why they liked it. Crunch away, little ones!
First week back to school & I had all three kids out the door with little complaints by 7. I’ll take it!
We like unsalted cashews too!
Also known as pregnancy snacks!!
Have been working hard to make larger portions of healthy meals to freeze for lunches for my 2 yr old son and myself, so all this week we have had healthy soups rather than anything processed or heavy!
My daughter is just over one, so we also think very hard about what she puts in her body. Today, we were running low on groceries before a trip to the store, but we managed to scrounge up a lunch of veggie soup and applesauce with string cheese.
Not-too-sweet dry cereal can make a good snack, too. 🙂