Good nutrition is the foundation of healthy growth, brain development, and learning. Snacks are an essential part of nutrition for kids. Children’s stomachs are smaller than adults and they cannot fit as much food (or nutrients) into one meal.
But healthy snacks for kids allow for a bit more nutrition to be added to their day. They’ll keep their energy levels stable and support their overall well-being.
Luckily, kids love snacks at school and home. But any parent knows they don’t often love what is considered to be the healthiest for them. Helping kids find healthy and tasty snacks for kids is the job of parents, but navigating all of the choices can be a challenge - especially with so many options available.
We’re here to help with our list of favorite easy healthy snacks for kids.
1. Made Good Bars
Made Good makes a variety of packaged kids snacks such as granola bars, healthier cookies, and crackers featuring whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Their snacks for kids are also made in a facility that is free from the top nine most common allergens.
2. Go-Go Squeeze
These convenient fruit and vegetable packages by Go-Go Squeeze are one of our favorite healthy snack ideas for kids. They make a variety of different products, including applesauce infused with fruits and vegetables, yogurt pouches, and even pudding.
3. String Cheese
String cheese or other varieties of these healthy snacks for kids are a high-protein option, typically packing 5-7 grams per ounce. Cheese sticks are an easy addition to a lunch meal that needs a little more protein to help keep your kid full all day.
4. Drinkable Yogurt
Single-serving drinkable yogurt made by brands like Siggi’s is a protein-packed option among our list of good snacks for kids that also provides calcium and probiotics. Flavored varieties will be typically higher in added sugar, but much of the sugar content is what is naturally present in the yogurt.
5. Larabar
Larabars are energy bars made from natural, simple ingredients. These healthy kid snacks come in a wide variety of flavors and even carry a specialty line for kids made from buckwheat flour, coconut oil, and sweetened with honey.
6. Harvest Snaps
For those looking for a healthier potato chip alternative, Harvest Snaps makes crunchy, flavored snacks out of snap peas. As one of the best snacks for kids, they carry a whole line of creative flavors such as white cheddar and parmesan roasted garlic.
7. Whisps
Whisps are cheese crackers made 100% from real cheese. This means these snacks for kids are gluten-free, high in protein, and low in carbs. They come in a variety of flavors such as Tangy Ranch, Cheddar, and Garlic Herb. These healthy kid snacks also have cheese and pretzel bites for a balanced carb-rich choice.
8. Chomps Meat Sticks
What would a snack roundup be without a mention of our favorite healthy kids snacks? Our Chomps meat sticks come in a variety of flavors and protein options and always make for a delicious, on-the-go snack. Also, visit our recipe collection for creative ways to use Chomps beyond just snacking.
9. Hippeas Puffs
Hippeas Puffs are similar to the snap-pea snacks but are made from chickpeas. These snacks for kids are also come in multiple flavor options such as barbeque, white cheddar, and nacho. Hippeas also makes healthier chickpea-based tortilla chips and snacking straws.
10. That’s It Bars
That’s It bars are simple fruit-based snacks for kids that typically contain one or two fruits and “that’s it!” as the name suggests. They have no added sugar and are made of 100% real fruit. These healthy kids snacks are available in a wide variety of flavors and fruit combinations.
11. Chickpea Snacks
Roasted chickpeas are a crunchy, high fiber protein-rich snack. While you can make them yourself, there are several brands of these healthy kid snacks like The Good Bean and Saffron Road that offer packaged varieties in different flavors.
12. Raisins or Craisins
Raisins or dried cranberries (Craisins) are sweet, healthy snacks for kids that are easy to toss into a lunch box or add to a homemade trail mix. As one of our favorite healthy kids snacks, they’re also a source of soluble fiber, beneficial for healthy digestion. Avoid raisins or Craisins that are coated with additional sugar, as they are already sweet all on their own.
13. RX Bars
RX Bars are protein and snack bars made with simple ingredients and “no bs” as it says on the label. In most of these healthy snacks for kids, ingredients include egg whites, nuts, seeds, and dates for sweetness. They may not be appropriate for kids with nut or egg allergies.
14. Fruit Cups
Pre-packaged fruit cups have moved well beyond just applesauce. You can now find shelf-stable cups of these healthy snacks for kids in peaches, pineapple, mandarin oranges, and more. Just look for fruit cups that are in their own juice or packed with “light” syrup, rather than heavy syrup.
15. Avocado Cups
Individually packaged avocado or guacamole cups are a great source of healthy monounsaturated fats. IAs one of the top healthy kid snacks, they can be used as a tasty dip when served with a side of corn tortilla chips or veggie sticks.
16. Whole Grain Cereal
Whole grain cereals, like Cheerios or Puffins, are easy and transportable snacks for kids that are fun to munch on. Most cereals are fortified with vitamins and minerals, like iron, and are a good source of fiber. As one of the best healthy kids snacks, cereal can be eaten dry and on-the-go or with your milk of choice.
17. Trail Mix
Trail mixes are filling snacks for kids that can be purchased pre-made or that you can make yourself. Start with a blend of your favorite nuts and add in dried fruit, chocolate chips, or yogurt-covered raisins for a bit of sweetness.
18. Simple Mills Products
Simple Mills makes a wide variety of gluten-free products with simple ingredients that are often infused with fruits and vegetables. Their new PopMMMs are tasty and crunchy cheese snacks for kids made from butternut squash and red beans.
19. Coconut Clusters
Coconut clusters, made by Inno Foods, are a good option for kids with allergies. These healthy kids snacks are sweet and crunchy clusters of coconut, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. These clusters are a good alternative if a kid has a nut allergy and can’t have trail mix.
20. Apple Chips
Dried apple chips are crunchy, sweet, and healthy kids snacks that provide more fiber than a traditional potato chip. They are made from a variety of different apple types, which can help vary the flavor of the snack. Choose apple chips with no added sugars when possible, like those made by Bare.
21. Almond Butter Packs
Single-serving almond butter packs are a convenient and protein-rich snack option for kids. They are perfect for spreading on apple slices, celery sticks, or whole grain crackers. Look for options with no added sugars or oils to keep them as healthy as possible. As one of our favorite snacks for kids who need an energy boost, almond butter provides healthy fats and protein,
Healthy Packaged Snacks for Kids
When choosing healthy snacks for kids, here are a few things you want to look for, particularly when choosing pre-packaged options.
- Low in added sugar. Total sugar should be under 5 grams per serving for a small snack and 8 grams if it is a complete meal. Try to keep added sugar as close to zero as possible when searching for healthy kid snacks.
- Whole grains or plant-based. Look for whole grains, fruits, vegetables, or nuts within the first three ingredients of any snacks for kids you’re considering. The ingredients are listed in order of how much of that ingredient is in the snack.
- Check the sodium. Choose low or reduced sodium snacks for kids when available. Most of us already get more sodium than we need, including kids.
- Consider protein. Protein helps you stay full, so if there are options for higher protein snacks for kids, always choose that. If a snack doesn’t have protein, consider adding a protein source.
All of our favorite healthy packaged snacks for kids listed in this article meet these criteria.
Easy Healthy Snacks for Kids
Ensuring that children have access to healthy kids snacks is vital for their growth and development. While kids often prefer less healthy options, there are plenty of fun, healthy snacks for kids available at your local grocery store, you just have to look.
Snacks should ideally be low in added sugar, rich in whole grains or plant-based ingredients, and provide protein. By making informed choices, parents can help their children enjoy tasty and healthy kids snacks that support their well-being. For additional healthy snacks for snack ideas, check out our lunch box snacks round-up and our dye-free snacks lists.
