When it comes to snacks and lunches, it is easy to fall into a rut of eating the same thing all the time. So I made up quick reference list to serve as a reminder to branch out a little bit when it comes to the snack menu.
Some of our typical snacks
Crackers and the like: Goldfish, animal, pretzels, Quakes mini rice cakes, etc.
Granola bars
Fruit: apples, bananas, grapes, Craisins, peaches, applesauce, etc.
String cheese
Gogurt (frozen makes a fun popsicle in the summertime)
Chips and salsa
Tortilla with melted cheese
Popcorn
Ritz crackers with ham and cheese slices (we call them lunchables at our house)
Ritz crackers with cheese and apple slices
Ritz crackers with peanut butter and banana slices
Fruit snacks (okay, I know these are really more of a treat)
New Favorites for us this Fall
Fruit Smoothies: This is our daily morning snack (in reality a continuation of breakfast). I just blend up fruit, milk, and a little dash of sugar. I buy the big bag of frozen fruit (strawberries, peaches, and pineapple) from Sam’s Club and usually toss in a banana as well.
Baked Cinnamon Chips from Our Best Bites: At our house these have been dubbed “Cinnamon Crunchies” and my girls love them. My simplified version of their recipe is to slice up the tortilla, spray with cooking spray, sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mix, then bake in the oven at 450 degrees for a few minutes and then switch to broil when we get too impatient and too hungry. These are really simple and yummy.
After School Muffins: The Ant Bug said these are her favorite muffins, so the recipe is a keeper. Although, I am sure it is probably due to the chocolate chips!
Flavored Cream Cheese spreads: like strawberry, garlic and chive, veggies, etc. Spread on a slice of bread or a cracker. The Sweet Bee loves the strawberry flavor and has a “pink sandwich” almost every day for lunch.
Snack Ideas I want to try
Quite a few bloggers were writing about this topic and sharing their favorite snack/lunch tips earlier this school year. Here are the links to my favorite and most helpful posts:
Ideas for Packing a Lunch at Our Best Bites
On the Go Breakfasts at Our Best Bites
10 Snacks Kids Can Make Themselves at Cozi
Finger Foods for Toddlers Part 1 and Part 2 at Simple Kids
Cooler Cold Lunches at Meck Mom (a 5 post series)
Healthy and Fun School Lunches at Food Your Way
What are your favorite kid snack ideas? Please share–I would love to add some more ideas to my list!