85 Snack Ideas for Kids (And Adults!)

June 15, 2022 steven

Skip the potato chips, fruit snacks, graham crackers, and candy. If you’re in a rut, here are some quick “real food” snack ideas for inspiration that kids will love (and adults, too!), perfect for after-school or anytime, really.

Snack plate filled with muffins, fruit, cheese bread, and snack bar. — *Healthy snacks for the road*

Sticking with simple wholesome ingredients keeps snack time easy and fun. Most of these ideas can also be used for healthy breakfasts, too! Have the kids go through this list with you so they can pick out their favorite snack food.

Helpful Tips

Combine some of the suggestions below in creative ways (for example, combine some fruit with yogurt to make a yogurt parfait, or make a fruit salad and drizzle some honey on top)
Most of the fruits below are also great frozen. Ever blended up frozen bananas to make “ice cream”? Try it!
If you’re looking for school lunch ideas, any of these would be great in a school lunch box!
If you have a picky eater, combining several of these snacks onto a plate—tapas style!—could make a well-rounded lunch or easy breakfast

Printable List of Snack Ideas

Many readers have requested a printable version of this list, so we added one to our free resource area! You can access many other free real food resources there as well.

Fruits and Vegetables

This is a great way to ensure your kids are getting in an extra dose of fruits and vegetables. I like to have raw veggies and fresh fruit cut up and easily accessible for my kids, making it even easier for them to grab a healthy snack any time of day. Plus, sometimes a piece of fruit can satisfy their sweet tooth without needing to grab a candy bar. If you have a picky eater, try serving your veggies with creamy dips (what kid doesn’t love dipping their food?).

Three apple slices with peanut butter on them and a side of spiral noodles on a plate for a snack.

Apple (good with peanut butter, or almond butter)
Banana (good with peanut butter, or almond butter)
Carrots (good with hummus or ranch dip)
Celery (good with peanut butter and raisins a.k.a. “Ants on a Log”)
Mango
Pear
Grapes
Strawberries (good with regular or Greek yogurt)
Blueberries (good with regular or Greek yogurt)
Raspberries (good with regular or Greek yogurt)
Oranges
Peaches (good with regular or Greek yogurt)
Plums
Kiwi
Grapefruit
Avocado (good with soy sauce and brown rice)
Pineapple
Papaya
Star Fruit
Figs (good with goat cheese)
Honeydew Melon
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Cherries
Edamame (good with soy sauce, or drizzle with a little olive oil + kosher salt)
Raw Sugar Snap Peas (good with hummus)
Cooked Green Beans
Mashed Sweet Potato (good with butter and cinnamon)
Raw Sliced Bell Peppers (good with hummus or ranch dip)
Cucumber Slices (good with ranch dip)
Jicama
Cherry Tomatoes (good with ranch dip)
Cooked Snow Peas
Frozen Peas (frozen…no cooking necessary!)
Raw Cauliflower
Raw Broccoli (good with ranch dip)
Applesauce
Unsweetened Raisins
Fruit Leathers
Freeze Dried Fruit (like mango, banana, blueberries or strawberries)
Dried Apple Rings, or pineapple rings
Canned Fruit like Mandarin Oranges (Native Forest brand does not use sugary syrups in their cans)
Olives

Pretzel sticks and carrot slices with a side of ranch dip on a plate.

Whole-Grains

There are a lot of great store-bought snack ideas here with whole grains and only a handful of ingredients listed. If you can’t find any at your local grocery store, scroll down to see some homemade healthy snack recipes.

Whole grain crackers topped with strawberry jam and cream cheese, and a handful of mixed nuts on a plate.

Whole Grain Crackers (like Triscuits, Multi-Seed, Ak-Mak, Whole-Wheat Matzos, Brown Rice Crackers/Snaps, Whole-Grain Rye Crackers topped with cheese, peanut butter, almond butter, or a cream cheese and jelly combo)
Popcorn (make it using “The Popcorn Trick”)
Oatmeal (served warm in a Thermos if sending to school)
Shredded Wheat (look for brands that contain 1-ingredient)
Arrowhead Mills Puffed Whole Grain Cereal (corn, brown rice, wheat or millet variety)
Brown Rice Cakes
Whole-Wheat Pretzels
Whole-Grain Toast
Small, Cooked Whole-Grain Noodles

Nuts and Seeds

Have the kids pick their favorite nuts to create their very own trail mix! Nuts and seeds make great filling snacks that can hold them over till their next meal. Best part is that you can throw them in a baggy and easily take them with you on the go.

Larabars
Peanuts
Cashews
Almonds
Pecans
Walnuts
Pine Nuts (they are good lightly toasted)
Pistachios
Sesame Seeds
Pumpkin Seeds
Nut Trail Mix including Dried Fruit

Other Snack Ideas

Here are some other easy snacks that are also a good source of protein.

Hard-boiled eggs on a plate dusted with paprika.

Hard-Boiled Eggs
Garbanzo Beans
Cheese (cubes or sticks…with or without crackers)
Plain Whole Milk or Greek Yogurt (flavored with a little honey or maple syrup and vanilla extract)
Organic and/or Local Bacon

Homemade Snack Ideas

I like to keep my freezer stocked with muffins for my girls—it’s one of their favorite snacks, so this makes it super convenient for them to pull some out for a quick afternoon snack on their own. Most of these homemade recipes are so quick and easy to make, that even the kids can help out!