20 Tasty School Snack Ideas Your Kids Are Sure to Love

School is back in session, and for most parents, that means things are starting to get hectic! Between picking out the perfect outfits, making sure the kids get their homework done, and packing lunches and snacks, you’ve got a lot on your plate!

Coming up with some quick and easy school snack ideas will make your days go smoother. Here are 20 simple suggestions to help you get started.

Tips for choosing school snacks

As you start looking for the best school snack ideas, there are some important things to keep in mind:

• Avoid nuts - many schools have banned them now due to allergies.
• Choose individual portions - sure, you could portion out your kids' snacks, but buying pre-portioned foods will make everything easier.
• Watch out for messy foods - try to avoid anything that will make a lot of crumbs, leave stains, or make a greasy mess.
• Let your child help - if your child picks out their snacks, they're more likely to actually eat them.

Healthy school snack recipes

You want to make sure your kids eat healthy while they’re away at school, but you also have to keep it fun. Otherwise, there’s a good chance they’ll trade those celery sticks and carrots for a package of Oreos. These healthy school snack ideas are sure to be a hit:

1. Rainbow skewers

Choose different types of fresh fruit to represent each color in the rainbow. Cut them up into bite-sized chunks, then layer them in a plastic cup with a lid, or arrange them on a skewer.

2. Turkey and cheese roll-ups

Start with string cheese, then wrap pieces of sliced turkey around each piece. For younger children, cut the sticks in half.

3. Dried fruit chips

Sliced apples dried in the oven and sprinkled with cinnamon make a great school snack. You can also make fruit chips with bananas, kiwi, and pears.

4. Veggies and dip

Pairing fresh vegetables like snap peas, cucumbers, and carrot sticks with your kid's favorite dip is a great way to encourage healthy snacking. Hummus, guacamole, and yogurt-based dips are all great options.

5. Mini muffins

If you have time to make homemade mini muffins, that's great! Otherwise, look for store-bought ones made with healthy ingredients.

6. Popcorn

Skip the microwave version and pop natural popcorn on the stove instead. It's easy to make, tasty, and makes the perfect healthy school snack.

7. Eggs and crackers

Hard-boiled eggs paired with your child's favorite crackers are a filling snack that will keep them satisfied all afternoon long.

Pre-packaged school snack ideas

Sometimes, you need something you can toss in your kid’s lunchbox at the last minute. When this happens, having some easy school snacks on hand will be a lifesaver! Stock up your pantry or fridge with these treats, and your kids will always be happy:

1. Pudding snacks

What kid doesn't love pudding? Single-serve pudding snacks are perfect for school!  Stock up on a variety of flavors so your kids will never get bored.

2. Snack bars

There are so many different snack bars on the market; it should be easy to find some your children enjoy. Try to look for ones made with healthy, natural ingredients and a decent amount of protein.

3. Fruit cups

When you don't have time to prepare fresh fruit, a pre-packaged fruit cup is the next best choice.

4. Apple and cheese snack packs

Stocking up your refrigerator with pre-packaged apple and cheese snack packswill help ensure your kids are eating fresh, healthy food even when things get hectic.

5. Snack pack cookies

Kids love cookies, and parents love giving snacks that are actually good for them. Snack cookies, like Belvita snack packs, are quick, easy, and will make everyone happy.

6. Yogurt pouches

Yogurt pouches and tubes are super popular right now. Not only do kids love them, but parents can feel good about giving them out for mid-day snacks.

7. Cottage cheese cups

Cottage cheese cups also make great school snacks. Choose plain cups or ones mixed with fruit, depending on your child's preference.

Fun school treat ideas

When you have some extra time on your hands, making fun school snack recipes is a great way to show your kids how much you care. Check out these cute ideas:

1. Grape and pretzel butterfly

It’s so easy to make this fun treat! Add mini pretzels to one side of a sandwich bag and grapes to the other, then pinch the center together and clip it with a clothespin, so it looks like a butterfly. Make it extra special by writing a short message on the clothespin, or keep things simple by using a twisted pipe cleaner instead.

2. Grape caterpillars

Stack green grapes on small wood skewers (without sharp points). Then, add “eyes” to the top grape using a bit of frosting and two mini chocolate chips.

3. Worms in dirt

Fill a small Tupperware container with chocolate pudding or jello, top it with crushed Oreos, and add a few gummy worms on top. Your kids are sure to love this gross school snack idea.

4. Snowman cheese sticks

During the wintertime, the kids will love string cheese sticks that are decorated to look like snowmen. Use permanent markers to draw the face and buttons, tie a ribbon around for a scarf, and cut a top hat out of construction paper or felt.

5. Fruit and cheese kebobs

Use heart and star-shaped cookie cutters to make shapes out of pieces of fruit, like cantaloupe or watermelon and your child’s favorite cheese. Add the shapes to wooden skewers along with some berries for extra color.

6. S’more snack cups

In a small plastic cup, combine Teddy Graham graham cracker cookies, mini-marshmallows, and chocolate chips for a sweet and tasty s'mores cup.

Shop for easy school snacks today!

Now that you have plenty of great school snack ideas, you’re one step closer to mastering the school year! You can give yourself even more free time by ordering your back-to-school groceries through Instacart. Make your shopping list, and a professional shopper will gather all your items for you and deliver them right to your door!