Snack Ideas for Kids

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5 from 6 votes
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You won’t run out of snack ideas with this huge list of over 100 snacks for kids. We have everything from healthy snacks to make-ahead snacks to quick snacks on the go.

Snack Ideas for Kids featuring hummus and veggies, ham and pickle rolls ups, zucchini bites, and an acai bowl.

The Ultimate Snack Guide

If you’re like me, you’re always looking for easy, tasty, and nutritious snacks to keep your kids fueled throughout the day. Whether it’s after school, on the go, or just a midday pick-me-up, I’ve put together a HUGE list of snack ideas that will keep the little ones happy and full. From quick two-ingredient snacks to healthy high-protein options, veggie-packed bites, and even some fun sweet treats, this list has it all!

And as a bonus, I’m sharing my favorite 10-Minute Air Fryer Zucchini Bites recipe at the end—because sneaking in veggies has never been easier!


2-Ingredient Snack Ideas

When your kids are “starving” and need something ASAP, these 2-ingredient snacks are a lifesaver. I always keep these ingredients in my pantry or fridge so I can pull them out at a moment’s notice!

Ranch dressing in a white bowl with fresh veggies around the dressing.
  1. Cottage cheese + pineapple (or peaches or cherry tomatoes)
  2. Apples + peanut butter (or almond butter)
  3. Bananas + Nutella (or any kind of nut butter)
  4. Animal crackers + Nutella
  5. Tortilla chips + Homemade Salsa (or Potato Chips and Onion Dip)
  6. Ham + cheese (rolled up)
  7. Easy Homemade Hummus + veggies
  8. Veggies (carrots, celery sticks, broccoli, snap peas, cherry tomatoes, etc…) + Homemade Ranch Dressing
  9. Yogurt + Homemade Granola
  10. Popcorn + shredded cheese
  11. Bagel + cream cheese
  12. Dried fruit + nuts
  13. Ritz crackers + sliced cheese
  14. Graham crackers + Cream Cheese Frosting (we like using leftover frosting from other treats)

Healthy High Protein Snacks

For kids who are active in sports or need an extra energy boost, these high-protein snacks are perfect. Plus, many of them can be prepped in advance and frozen for busy days!

Ham Roll Up with Pickle on a cutting board with toothpicks.
  1. Ham Roll Ups with Pickle
  2. Ants on a log (celery+peanut butter+raisins)
  3. Deviled Eggs
  4. PB & J Energy Bites
  5. Shrimp Taco Bites
  6. Chocolate Protein Balls {No Bake}
  7. Hard Boiled Eggs
  8. Turkey Pinwheels

Veggie Snacks Kids Will Love

My kids are always starving when they get home from school, which makes it the perfect time to give them veggies! These fun and tasty ideas help get those greens in without any complaints.

three squares of crescent roll veggie pizza on a plate
  1. Zucchini Pizza Bites (see below)
  2. Caprese Salad with Cherry Tomatoes
  3. Veggie Pizza Squares
  4. Cucumber Sandwiches
  5. Mexican Street Corn Cups
  6. Virginia Chunk Sweet Pickles
  7. Avocado Quesadillas
  8. Baked Zucchini Chips
  9. Sweet Potato Fries and Dip
  10. Crispy Air Fryer French Fries

Savory Finger-Snacks

Sometimes kids need something more substantial. These warm, easy-to-eat snacks are perfect for growing appetites.

Stretching Homemade Mozzarella Sticks cheese with hands.
  1. Chicken Flautas
  2. Homemade Soft Pretzels with Easy Cheese Sauce
  3. Grilled Cheese
  4. Shredded Beef Taquitos
  5. Crisp Bean Burritos
  6. Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
  7. Cheesy Italian Bread
  8. French Bread Pizza

Quick Dips

A good dip can make any snack more exciting! These easy homemade dips pair perfectly with crackers, chips, or veggies.

Large bowl of spinach dip next to crackers and sliced bread.
  1. Easy Creamy Corn Dip
  2. Easy Spinach Dip
  3. 5-Minute Dill Pickle Dip
  4. Doritos Dip
  5. Nacho Cheese Dip
  6. Clam Dip
  7. Jalapeno Greek Yogurt Dip
  8. Chili Cheese Dip
  9. Bean Dip

Popcorn and Snack Mixes

These snack mixes are fun for after school or when friends come over!

A bowl of peanut butter popcorn mixed with chocolate M&M candies
  1. Peanut Butter Popcorn
  2. Almond Joy Homemade Chex Mix
  3. White Chocolate Popcorn
  4. Classic Chex Mix
  5. Sweet Chex Mix Recipe
  6. Muddy Buddies
  7. Christmas Crunch


After-School Cookies

When it comes to snack ideas, cookies are some of my very favorite. They are nice and portable and can be taken in the car to be eaten on the way to after-school activities.

chocolate No bake cookies on parchment paper with a spoon of creamy peanut butter
  1. Easy No Bake Cookies
  2. Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies
  3. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies – Only 3 Ingredients!
  4. Healthy Oatmeal Cookies
  5. Graham Cracker Cookies with Coconut
  6. Snickerdoodles Cookies
  7. Magic Cookie Bars
  8. Dipped Ritz Cookies
  9. Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
  10. Oatmeal Cookies with Butterscotch Chips
  11. Molasses Cookies

Cool and Refreshing Smoothies

When it’s hot outside, nothing beats a refreshing smoothie! These are packed with fruit and flavor.

Strawberry, honeydew melon and mango boba smoothies in glasses with colorful large straws.
  1. Green Smoothie
  2. Piña Colada Smoothie
  3. Banana Berry Smoothie
  4. Boba Smoothies
  5. Creamy Peach Smoothie
  6. Mango Avocado Smoothie
  7. Orange Julius
  8. Tropical Banana Smoothie
  9. Peaches and Cream Oatmeal Smoothie

More Snack Ideas

Here are some more snack ideas that I couldn’t quite fit into one of the categories above. They are the last on this list but certainly not least! In fact, my kids #1 favorite snack is Spam Musubi. You can’t go wrong with any of these tasty snack ideas.

Spam Musubi constructed on a cutting board.
  1. Tea Sandwiches
  2. Spam Musubi
  3. 5-Minute Slushies (aka DIY Slushy Magic)
  4. Charcuterie Board
  5. California Rolls
  6. Bran Muffins
  7. Healthy Chocolate Chip Muffins
  8. Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Seeds
  9. Homemade Tomato Juice
  10. Koolickles (Kool-Aid Pickles)
  11. Whole-wheat toast with butter and honey

Questions About Snack Ideas for Kids

What are some healthy snack options for kids?

Healthy snacks for kids include fresh fruits, vegetables with dip, yogurt with granola, whole-grain crackers with cheese, hummus with veggie sticks, and homemade trail mix. These snacks provide essential nutrients and keep kids energized throughout the day.

What are some quick and easy after-school snacks?

Some quick and easy after-school snacks include apple slices with peanut butter, cheese and crackers, popcorn with shredded cheese, homemade smoothies, and tortilla chips with salsa or guacamole. These snacks require minimal prep and satisfy hunger fast.

What are good high-protein snacks for kids?

Great high-protein snacks for kids include hard-boiled eggs, ham and cheese roll-ups, peanut butter and banana, Greek yogurt with fruit, and protein-packed energy bites. These snacks help keep kids full and support muscle growth and development.

What is the best snack to pack for school?

The best school-friendly snacks include granola bars, string cheese, sliced fruits, baby carrots with hummus, crackers with peanut butter, and dried fruit and nut mix. These snacks are easy to pack and don’t require refrigeration.

How do I encourage my child to eat more veggies?

Make veggies more appealing by serving them with tasty dips like ranch or hummus, incorporating them into fun recipes like zucchini bites or veggie pizza, and offering them in colorful, bite-sized portions. Involving kids in meal prep can also make them more interested in eating their veggies.

Uncooked zucchini pizza bites on an air fryer rack

Air Fryer Zucchini Pizza Bites

5 from 6 votes
These crispy zucchini bites are a kid-friendly way to sneak in some veggies. They come together in minutes and disappear just as quickly!
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 9 minutes
Total Time 11 minutes
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 medium-sized zucchini
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • 1/3 cup pizza sauce
  • 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup pepperoni or to taste
  • fresh parmesan to taste

Instructions

  • Cut zucchini into slices cross-wise, appx 1/2" thick (or as thick as you would like them).
    Spray your air fryer rack with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place zucchini slices evenly on the rack and sprinkle with salt. If you have racks that stack, you can stack 2-3 layers, otherwise you may have to cook in batches.
    Slices of zucchini, uncooked, in an air fryer
  • Cook in your air fryer at 375-degrees for 7 minutes. Remove from air fryer and spread a little pizza sauce on each slice.
    Slices of zucchini with pizza sauce spread over the top
  • Add cheese, pepperoni, and fresh parmesan cheese and return to the air fryer.
    Uncooked zucchini pizza bites on an air fryer rack
  • Cook for 2-3 minutes at 375-degrees or until cheese is melted. Serve hot.
    Tip: For extra flavor, dip your cooked pizza bites in some homemade ranch dressing. Yum!
    Pizza zucchini bites fully cooked sitting on an air fryer rack

Video

Nutrition Information

Calories: 80kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 4gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 281mgPotassium: 247mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 232IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 1mg

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With all these snack ideas, you’ll never run out of options to keep your kids satisfied and energized. What are your favorite go-to snacks? Let me know in the comments!

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and their three daughters. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and has a passion for travel and adventure. Whether kayaking, hiking, or scuba diving, she loves exploring the world—and bringing her family along for the ride.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made the Chocolate one for my sister’s Birthday Cake today. She absolutely loved it, she thought that it was so pretty (I think I need to work on my frosting skills lol). It tastes better than the Nothing Bundt Cakes in my opinion. I also made the Lemon one and it was awesome, my neighbor also thinks that it was better than the original cakes. I have tried other recipes that use a box cake mix and add to it. The results definitely not the same. I did mix the wet ingredients in one bowl and the dry in another then added the dry to the wet slowly. I think that always makes a better cake. I want to try all of them.

    1. That is so great to hear! Glad that you enjoyed it and have found some that your kiddos love! Can’t wait to hear more that you love!

  2. 5 stars
    Thank you so much for sharing this!! My kids snack ALL DAY LONG! I am constantly trying new things & this helps so much! They’ll love everything!

  3. 5 stars
    hank you so much for sharing this amazing recipes! Will surely have these again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

  4. 5 stars
    Oh, I love these zucchini pizza bites. I’m making something similar with eggplant. My son loves it. I bet he’s going to love the zucchini version too. Excited to make him this. Thanks for all the great ideas.

  5. 5 stars
    I appreciate this awesome list of snack ideas now that school is in session. Hungry kids all school year long. AND I am thrilled about the zucchini bites. Not only did my kids eat them all, but I felt so good knowing that all the zucchini popping up in every corner of my garden is not only eaten – but ENJOYED enthusiastically by my kiddos. Thanks for great recipes all the time. I always trust whatever you post. They ALWAYS turn out great and family friendly!!