Out-of-the-Box After School Snacks for Hungry Kids, Tweens, and Teens!

Sep 11, 2021 | Baby and Kids, Food

After school snacks can be such a pain point for your kids if they're tired of eating the same thing every day. Try out these fun ideas that are delicious and easy to put together!

Nutella and snacks on a platter from Fun Cheap or Free.

We don't know about you guys, but our kids come home from school hungry! By the time they get home, they're ready to refill their tummies and refuel their energy to get them through homework, chores, extracurriculars, and playing with friends. Try some of these after school snack ideas and they won't be disappointed, we promise!

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We love finding ways to better connect with your family, and guess what… food is a fun way to do just that! Take this time as an opportunity to connect with some yummy snacks and we guarantee you'll be rewarded with smiling faces and maybe even happy attitudes! 😉 Keep on reading to get some great snack ideas!


This post was originally contributed by Britney from Color My Happy! It's since been updated with even more fun snack ideas!

THE BEST KIND OF AFTER SCHOOL SNACKS

We have four main criteria for the best kind of after school snacks. Here's what they are!

  1. Easy to throw together.
  2. Yummy.
  3. Fairly healthy.
  4. Fun!

We've found that when after school snacks are fun and exciting, our kids are more likely to fill up on the healthy stuff, too! So buckle up, friend. We've got five after school snacks coming at you that your kids (and you!) are sure to love.


NUTELLA PLATTER

Kids dipping apple slices into Nutella from Fun Cheap or Free.

Who doesn't love Nutella?! It's so good! While all you really need to enjoy Nutella is a spoon, this snack idea spices things up and makes it a little more healthy. Simply grab some items that dip well and serve them up with a scoop of Nutella. Here are some of our favorite droppable foods:

  • Bananas
  • Apple slices
  • Strawberries
  • Raspberries
  • Blueberries
  • Graham crackers
  • Animal crackers
  • Pretzels
  • Marshmallows
  • Vanilla wafers
  • Potato chips
  • Mini rice cakes

The options are endless! Serve it platter-style, or put a spoonful of Nutella on each kid's plate with two or three options, like half a banana and a handful of pretzel sticks.

If your kids don't like Nutella (or have a hazelnut allergy), you can use the same basic idea, but substitute something in place of the Nutella like another nut butter or yogurt dip. Try this homemade peanut butter recipe, too!


VEGGIE TRAY WITH FUN DIPS

Veggies and dip on a platter from Fun Cheap or Free.

What is it about dips that make raw veggies so much more exciting? If your kids aren't big on veggies, pull out the ranch or other fun dip and we bet they'll love them! What a great way to make sure they are getting all their veggie serving in! Here are our go-to dips options for fresh vegetables:

  • Hummus – Choose one flavor or try multiples!
  • Ranch
  • Guacamole
  • Salsa – This homemade salsa is SO good.
  • Dill Dip – Add equal parts mayo and sour cream, then add dill, seasoned salt, garlic powder, dehydrated chopped onions, and pepper. Yum!

Pro Tip: Serve a couple of veggies you know your kids love, then serve something they've never tried. You might be surprised and find them trying something you thought they'd never eat!


MEAT AND CHEESE KABOBS

Meat and cheese kabobs from Fun Cheap or Free.

These make such fun after school snacks! There's something about food served on a skewer that makes kids so happy, right? Our kids have their favorites, but we like to change it up every once in a while and give them new options to try, too. Here are some yummy kid kabobs options to try:

  • Pepperoni, olive, and string cheese
  • Ham, Colby Jack cheese, and pickles
  • Turkey, Swiss cheese, and cherry tomatoes
  • Cucumber, diced chicken breast, and grapes

Try a variety of combos and see what your kids like best!


MINI FRUIT PIZZAS

Fruit pizza on a plate from Fun Cheap or Free.

Fruit pizzas are definitely a treat, but it's a fun way to reward your kids after a long day at school every now and then! Whip these babies together and watch your kids' faces light up!

There are many different versions of fruit pizzas. All you need are three main things to put them together and your kids will be licking the deliciousness off of their fingers in no time. Here's how to make them:

  1. Get a base (or crust) for your fruit pizza. Use sugar cookies, graham crackers, or rice cakes.
  2. Choose your sauce. Depending on what we have on hand, we use frosting, cool whip, pudding, or yogurt.
  3. Top those suckers! Prepare them ahead of time with cut up fruit or let your kids build their own!

Letting the kids choose their own toppings adds an extra element of fun for them and allows them to get involved in the kitchen. It's definitely our favorite way to do it!


TORTILLA CHIP PLATTER AFTER SCHOOL SNACKS

Tortilla chips and dips in bowls from Fun Cheap or Free.

If your kids love Mexican food, they'll love this one! Rice, beans, tacos, quesadillas, chips, and salsa… You name it, this platter can have it! Simply put some tortilla chips and a bunch of Mexican food staples in a dish, then let them dip and load up the chips to their heart's content! Here are some easy options:

If your kids like Mexican food, then they'll love making their own creations with this after school snack!


MORE THAN JUST AFTER SCHOOL SNACKS

An after school snack is more than just food, it's another little way to say you love them after a long, hard day at school! Plus, it puts them in a good mood and gets them sitting so you can talk to them about their day. Not sure where to start? Try these conversation starters to make it easier. Talk about a great bonding opportunity!

Let us know which after school snacks you think your kids would like best in the comments below!


Kids drinking a smoothie, from Fun Cheap or Free

Want more snack ideas? Be sure to check out these posts:

Keep on snackin' friends!

2 Comments

  1. ola

    Great post Brittany, I especially love the way you make it fun by combining healthy fruits with a liitle something like Nutella. My kids can eat anything with Nutella.
    Thanks alot for a great post

    Reply
    • Fun Cheap or Free

      So glad that you liked it! 🙂

      Reply

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