Healthy Snacks for Kids (2024)

If you are looking for some easy and healthy snacks for kids, you’re in the right place. Below you’ll find some easy and creative snack ideas that your kids will be excited to eat!

If you’re reading this post, the kids in your life might be bored with your current snack lineup. Or, they may prefer reaching for snack bags of chips and crackers in the pantry. (I know mine do!)

These healthy snack ideas are here to help.

They require minimal prep work and there are plenty of gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options to choose from if you are working with special dietary needs.

Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids

1. Snack trays.

This is a popular method of presenting snacks to kids for good reason. Use a divided plate to offer 3 or 4 healthy options, so there’s not much pressure put on a single food. Try to include a variety of flavors and textures each time.

Here are some options to try:

• Waffles (like protein waffles) topped with peanut butter or almond butter. You can also use banana egg pancakes, instead, or turn them into a sandwich with sliced bananas inside.
• Homemade granola bars. These can be made with sunflower butter for a nut-free option. Crunchy granola could also be an option if your kids like to snack on cereal.
• Trail mix. Offer a combination of dried fruit, like raisins, with their favorite nuts like salted cashews or almonds.
• Date Energy Balls or No-Bake Protein Balls. These bite-sized treats can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for an easy snack on the go.
• Yogurt with berries on top. Frozen wild blueberries are a hit with my kids; they like them straight from the freezer on top of yogurt. Add a drizzle of honey for sweetness if you’re using plain yogurt.
• Raw veggies. Whole carrots that are peeled and sliced taste better than baby carrots. My kids also like raw cauliflower florets, peas, or cucumber slices. If you have brave kids who will use a dip, try serving this with guacamole, salsa, ranch, or hummus.
• Fresh fruit. Apple slices or peeled mandarin oranges make a great sweet addition. If you offer grapes, make sure to slice them in half or into quarters if offering them to a child under the age of 5. (They can be a choking hazard.)
• Frozen bananas. If you keep frozen bananas in your freezer, simply slice one into coins and add it to the snack tray. They taste like ice cream bites!
• Popcorn. Air-popped popcorn is a whole-grain snack that many kids love. Since it can be a choking hazard, most experts don’t recommend offering it to kids under the age of 4.
• Edamame. This is available in the frozen section and can be easily thawed for an after-school snack.
• Chickpeas. If you keep canned beans in the pantry, rinse and drain them well and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for the week. They are an easy finger food to add to lunchboxes and snack trays.
• Cheese or turkey slices. My kids like turkey roll-ups on a toothpick or cheese squares that are easy to put on crackers or rice cakes. (Think homemade lunchable!)

2. Smoothies & Popsicles.

Smoothies are a great supplement when you’re trying to add more nutrients into your routine. Use a squeeze pouch to hide the color, if possible, or present a green smoothie with a fun name– like a Ninja Turtle, Monster, or Hulk smoothie.

You can even draw a funny face on their cup! (Check out my healthy Halloween treats for cute presentation ideas.)

Here are some smoothie recipes that are usually a hit:

• Pineapple Banana Smoothie. This tastes almost like an Orange Julius, and you can sneak some protein powder in if you like.
• Blueberry Smoothie. Frozen blueberries don’t taste flavorful on their own, but this magical combination tastes amazing.
• It tastes like the classic sandwich, only better. (And more nutritious!)
• Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie. This smoothie is naturally sweetened with banana but it tastes like a milkshake.
• Apple Smoothie. This recipe tastes like apple pie in a glass. It’s a delicious way to reach that “apple a day” goal!

If your kids don’t love sipping a smoothie through a straw, simply pour your favorite smoothie into a mini popsicle mold.

This is an excellent make-ahead snack that you can keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.Kids are much more receptive to frozen treats!

3. Mini Muffins & Snack Cakes.

Kids are not always receptive to eating a bowl of oatmeal, but when you blend rolled oats into a muffin batter it’s a different story. Using a mini muffin pan will make the size more fun and less overwhelming to eat. Or, try offering bite-sized bars as an alternative.

Here are a few delicious recipes to try:

• Mini Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins. These mini muffins are the perfect way to use up any ripe bananas in your home. This bite-sized treat is perfect for breakfast or an after-school snack.
• Banana Snack Cake. This recipe is made without any flour or oil, but tastes like a dessert when you add a few chocolate chips into the mix. Slice the bars as small as you want to!
• Spinach Muffins. Your child may think it’s fun to eat something green if you brand it right. Offer them as “ninja turtle” muffins, or dinosaur muffins, to get that sneaky serving of spinach in.
• Banana Chocolate Chip Bars. These bars are like a cross between chocolate chip blondies and banana bread. They are easy to slice into squares for bite-sized treat.
• Flourless Peanut Butter Banana Muffins. If you prefer a flourless treat, these muffins are always a hit and are naturally gluten-free. Use almond butter if you can’t serve peanuts.
• Chocolate Zucchini Muffins. These muffins taste like a cross between chocolate cake and a brownie, so you’d never guess there’s a veggie inside! Or try Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins when zucchini isn’t in season.

Check out my other muffin recipes if you’d like more ideas.

4. Energy Balls & Granola Bars.

Kids love a bite-sized treat, and energy balls and granola bars are a great option that you can meal prep ahead of time.

Here are some of our favorites:

• No-Bake Protein Balls. You can stir these together in minues without using a food processor. Try all 3 flavors for some variety!
• Peanut Butter Energy Balls. These are naturally sweetened with dates and can be customized with any extra add-ins you love.
• Homemade granola bars. All you need is 5 simple ingredients to make these chewy granola bars. Add a drizzle of chocolate on top if you think that will make them more appealing!
• Date Energy Balls. Made with ground nuts, dates, and coconut, these taste like cookie dough without any refined sugar.

5. Parfaits & Sundaes.

If your kids wants something a little fancier, try making a layered snack. Start with their favorite yogurt and let them be in charge of the toppings. The more they help make it, the more likely they are to eat it.

Offer them granola, fresh fruit, nut butter, and any other toppings you love.

For a dairy-free treat, use banana ice cream instead of yogurt. Let them add their own toppings, like a drizzle of peanut butter, hemp hearts, or some fresh berries for a healthy snack that feels more like a dessert.

You can also top apple slices in a similar way! Make apple nachos and let your kids add the toppings, like a drizzle of peanut butter, hemp hearts for protein, and some melted chocolate if they want more of a treat.

As an alternative, you can also slice apples into circles and remove the seeds in the center. Let your kids add their own toppings and call them “apple donuts” for better marketing.

Snack Ideas for Young Children

If you are serving a toddler, your snack plates might look different. (Especially if they are 2 years old or younger.) Younger kids are much more receptive to healthy options!

In this case, be sure to offer other foods that older kids may reject like:

• Soft roasted or steamed sweet potatoes. (Leftover sweet potato fries can also be a hit!)
• Sliced avocado or avocado toast. My young kids used to eat guacamole or hummus with a spoon! No dippers required.
• Homemade applesauce. You can make this in a slow cooker or in the Instant Pot. It’s a great way to use up any bruised apples that might not look as appealing.
• Sliced bananas. (Frozen are fun, too!)
• Scrambled eggs (or try green eggs if you’re reading the Dr. Seuss book!)
• Any leftover steamed or roasted veggies.

Almost any leftovers from the previous lunch or dinner can work for a young child. Both of my children became more cautious of foods around the age of 2.

Now that my kids are 11 and 8 years old, they are starting to try more food options again… but it takes time to build up to liking new foods!

For example, they didn’t think they’d like these apple “donuts” (recipe below) when they came home from school, but guess what? Once they tried them, this plate quickly disappeared! The sprinkle topping was their least favorite option, FYI.

I hope these healthy snacks ideas will be helpful. If you have any other healthy snacks for kids, I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below!