Key Takeaways
Finding nutritious snacks your kids will actually eat doesn't have to be a challenge. Here's a quick summary of what to keep in mind:
- The best snacks for kids combine protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep energy stable between meals.
- Look for snacks low in added sugar. Aim for under 5g per serving for small snacks.
- Store-bought options like Chomps meat sticks, Whisps, and Made Good Bars make it easy to grab nutritious snacks without prep.
- Whole foods like string cheese, fruit cups, and avocado are naturally nutrient-dense options.
- Homemade combos (trail mix, yogurt parfaits, and apple slices with nut butter) let you control ingredients and portions.
- Always check the ingredient list: the fewer and more recognizable the ingredients, the better.
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 the best 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 roundup of the best snacks for kids. Learn about easy options your children will actually want to eat.
Best Store-Bought Snacks for Kids
When it comes to healthy store bought snacks for kids, the options have never been better but quality still varies widely by brand. Look for short ingredient lists, real food ingredients, and no added junk to find the best snacks for kids at the grocery store.
Chomps Meat Sticks
Chomps meat sticks are one of the most nutritious snack options on this list and a favorite for kids and parents alike. Each stick delivers 10+ grams of high-quality protein, 0g sugar, and 100 calories or less, with no artificial flavors or colors.
Made with 100% grass-fed and finished beef and free of the top 9 allergens, they're Gluten-Free Certified, Whole30 Approved, and Paleo Certified. The snappy texture and variety of bold flavors make them a genuinely satisfying, shelf-stable snack kids love at home or on the go. Visit our recipe collection for creative ways to use Chomps beyond snacking.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Best Whole Food Snacks for Kids
Sometimes the simplest options are the most nutritious. Whole food snacks require little to no prep and deliver real nutrients kids need to thrive. These minimally processed picks are easy to portion, easy to pack, and genuinely satisfying.
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.
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.
Avocado Cups
Individually packaged avocado or guacamole cups are a great source of healthy monounsaturated fats. As 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.
Best Fruit and Veggie Snacks for Kids
Fruits and vegetables are a natural source of fiber, vitamins, and natural sweetness that kids tend to love (especially in portable, grab-and-go formats). Stocking up on these options is one of the easiest ways to add more nutrients to your child's day without any pushback.
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.
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.
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.
Best Protein Snacks for Kids
Protein is key to keeping kids full and focused between meals, which makes it one of the most important nutrients to look for in a snack. These options deliver a solid protein boost in kid-friendly formats they'll actually want to eat.
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.
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.
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.
Best Nut and Seed Snacks for Kids
Nuts and seeds are a concentrated source of healthy fats, protein, and minerals, which makes them a smart addition to any snack rotation. These options are especially useful for kids who need sustained energy throughout the day.
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.
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.
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.
Best Crunchy and Whole Grain Snacks for Kids
Kids love crunch, and these whole grain options deliver the satisfying texture they're after without the artificial ingredients found in most conventional chips and crackers. They're a great swap for less nutritious snack staples and pair well with dips, cheese, or nut butter.
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.
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.
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.
How to Choose the Healthy Snacks for Kids on the Go
When choosing healthy snacks for kids, here are a few things you want to look for, particularly when choosing pre-packaged options.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
For more ideas, check out our lunch box snacks round-up and our dye-free snacks lists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are popular kids snacks?
Some of the most popular snacks among kids include cheese sticks, fruit pouches, granola bars, trail mix, and meat sticks. The best snacks for kids balance taste with real, recognizable ingredients, which makes them a win for both kids and parents.
What is the healthiest kids snack?
There's no single answer, but the most nutritious snacks for kids tend to combine protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Options like string cheese, hard-boiled eggs, and fresh fruit with nut butter check multiple boxes in one snack.
What is a filling healthy snack for kids?
Filling snacks are ones that include protein or fiber (or both). String cheese, almond butter with apple slices, chickpea snacks, and meat sticks are all satisfying options that help kids stay full until the next meal.
What is a healthy finger snack for kids?
Finger snacks kids can grab and go include cheese cubes, raisins, apple chips, roasted chickpeas, coconut clusters, and meat sticks. These are easy to portion and require no utensils, which is perfect for lunchboxes or after school.
What are the best low calorie snack sticks for kids?
Chomps meat sticks are one of the top options. Each stick contains 100 calories or less, 10+ grams of high-quality protein, and 0g sugar, with no artificial flavors or colors. They're a nutritious, satisfying choice for kids who want something snappy and savory.
Are Chomps meat sticks a nutritious snack for kids?
Yes, Chomps meat sticks are a nutritious snack option for kids. They're made with 100% grass-fed and finished beef, contain 0g sugar, and deliver 10+ grams of high-quality protein per stick. They're also Gluten-Free Certified, Whole30 Approved, and Non-UPF Verified, and free of the top 9 allergens.
