29 Healthy Snacks for School (Easy Kid Ideas)

Simplify healthy snacks for school with 29 easy ideas and photo examples! Kid-approved (even picky eaters love them), balanced whole foods, healthy choices, and easy to prepare. Never run out of snack ideas again!

And when it’s not school season, I’ve got you covered with 33 ideas for healthy summer snacks! 

Kid Snacks for School

The goal of school snack (whether a morning snack or after school snack) should be to fuel a child and keep then energized for the long school day. Save this list of ideas and my 5 snack-packing tips to do just that!

29 HEALTHY, EASY, & QUICK SNACK IDEAS

Use this list to create your own snack pairings and combinations! Include just one snack or pair a couple of snacks together. Not all children have the same taste preferences, so not everything on this list may appeal to your child. Take what you know will work and use the ideas to make snack packing easier! 

21 Snack Pairing Ideas (Photo Examples) 

Here are a few photo examples of how to combine foods to make the best snacks (that are healthy and filling) and how to pack them.

1. Hummus + Pita Bread, Pretzels, or Raw Vegetables 

• Pair your child’s favorite dip, like hummus, ranch dip, cottage cheese, or guacamole with pita bread, tortilla chips, pretzels, or fresh produce (like carrots, cucumber slices, or mini sweet peppers, or celery sticks). 
• Snack Container: Sistema and Leak-Proof Dipper Container

2. Pancake Sammie + Orange Slices 

• Use leftover pancakes or waffles from the weekend to make a sandwich: spread with nut/seed butter (almond butter, peanut butter, or sunflower butter) or cream cheese and jam. Add a favorite fruit on the side. 
• Snack Container: Lunchskins Paper Bag

3. Cheese + Crackers 

• Add cheese cubes and crackers to a snack container, and (optional) olives or fruit.
• Snack Container: Sistema

4.  Tortilla Chips + Guacamole + Salsa

• Add corn chips or tortilla chips (Late July, Siete, and Costco brands are my favorite), salsa, and or guacamole to leak proof containers. 
• Snack Container: Glass Container and Leak-Proof Dipper Container

5. Energy Balls + Fruit 

• Energy balls are made by combining oats, peanut butter or sunflower seed butter, and honey. Or, make other options, like blended date and dried fruit energy balls. Meal prep the balls and stock them in the fridge for individual snacks. Pair with fruit, a cheese stick or veggie sticks (like carrots). 
• Snack Container: Sistema

6. Hardboiled Egg + Fresh Veggies 

• Meal prep eggs on the weekend to enjoy all week for breakfast and snack. Pair with fruit or fresh veggies. 
• Snack Container: Lunchbots Stainless Steel and Lunchskins Paper Bag

7. Ranch dip + Fresh Veggies (or Pita) 

• Spoon ranch dip into a leak-proof container and add dipping veggies (like carrots or cucumbers) on the side or cut up pit bread. 
• Snack Container: Sistema and Dipper Container

8. Rolled Up Turkey + Cheese 

• Take individual slices of turkey (or ham) and roll each one with cheese. Serve with chips on the side.
• Snack Container: Sistema

9. Apple Slices + Nut/Seed Butter 

• Add a favorite nut/seed butter (almond butter, peanut butter, or sunflower seed butter) to a leak-proof container and pair with apple slices. To prevent browning, sprinkle apple slices with cinnamon or lemon juice.
• Snack Container: Sistema and Leak-Proof Dipper Container

10. Chicken or Tuna Salad + Crackers 

• If your child likes chicken or tuna salad, both are great protein-rich snack options that can be meal-prepped for the week! Serve with crackers. 
• Snack Container: Lunchbots Stainless Steel and Lunchskins Paper Bag

11. Apple Sandwiches 

• Similar to apples and nut/seed butter, but instead of dipping, make a sandwich! Remove the core from a apple, then slice. Use the slices to make a sandwich by spooning peanut butter (or a favorite nut/seed butter) or cream cheese in the center. Sprinkle with cinnamon or lemon juice to prevent browning.
• Snack Container: Lunchbots Stainless Steel

12. Plain Rice Cake + Peanut Butter + Banana 

• This is my go-to pre workout snack and it’s great for the kiddos!
• Spread nut/seed butter (or cream cheese) over the top of a rice cake. Add a banana on the side.
• At home, slice the banana and add the banana on top. Sprinkle with cinnamon and salt for extra flavor! 
• Snack Container: Glass Container

13. Muffins 

• Homemade muffins are a great meal-prep snack! Spread with butter for a healthy fat, or add a cheese stick or rolled up turkey on the side for satisfying protein. 
• Turn any favorite muffin recipe into mini muffins for small kids and bite-sized snacks. Use a mini muffin pan.
• Snack Container: Lunchbots Stainless Steel

14. Yogurt Dip + Fruit 

• Yogurt is rich in protein and probiotics. Add yogurt dip to a leak-proof container and fruit on the side for dipping (like berries, apple slices, pear slices, etc.) 
• Snack Container: Sistema and Leak-Proof Dipper Container

15. Ants on a Log + Fruit Pouch 

• Spoon peanut butter (or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option) down the center of celery and top with raisins. Add a fruit pouch on the side. 
• Snack Container: Lunchbots Stainless Steel

16. Crackers + Peanut Butter + Carrot Sticks

• Make your own peanut butter sandwich crackers by adding peanut butter (a healthy fat) between two crackers. Serve with carrot sticks. 
• Snack Container: Lunchbots Stainless Steel and Lunchskins Paper Bag

17. Yogurt + Fruit 

• Add yogurt to a leak-proof container and a favorite fruit (fresh or frozen). Frozen fruit is a great option as it defrosts and blends perfectly with the yogurt when stirred.
• Or buy individual cups of yogurt for snack time-yogurt is a great source of protein! 
• Snack Container: Lunchbots Stainless Steel

18. Jerky Stick + Fruit 

• Jerky sticks (which can be found in a kid-size portion for snacking) are a great source of protein! Add fruit on the side for a balanced snack. 
• Snack Container: Lunchbots Stainless Steel

19. Cucumber Cream Cheese Sandwiches

• Add cream cheese to two cucumber slices to make “sandwiches.”  Healthy fats, a little protein, and some carbs! 
• Snack Container: Lunchbots Stainless Steel

20. Popcorn + Pepperoni 

• Pop your own popcorn on the weekend and store in a bag, or buy popcorn from the store. Serve with pepperoni on the side for a healthy protein/fat. 
• Snack Container: Lunchbots Stainless Steel

21. DIY Yogurt Sticks 

• Make your own yogurt sticks (which are made with less sugar and real ingredients) using fruit and yogurt. Add to molds and store in the fridge or freezer for the kiddos to enjoy after school. 
• Snack Container: Plastic yogurt tubes

Best Snack Containers

• a thermos (for anything cold like yogurt, cottage cheese, a smoothie with a straw)
• reusable snack containers (I love stainless steel or plastic containers for kids) or glass containers for adults)
• snack bags (I love reusable bags)