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If your kids are always STARVING after a long day at school, this is the ultimate after school snack hack!
Instead of asking ‘what do you want to eat’ when your kids get home from school, have a yummy snack tray ready for them to graze on when they walk in the door. Say goodbye to boring and hello to culinary creativity with this after school snack hack. Gather your ingredients (ideas below!), get out your cutest muffin pan, and get ready to prep some after-school snacks that will keep your kids fueled until dinner time.
Why are after school snacks important?
After a long day of learning and activities, kids often come home hungry and in need of a quick energy boost. After school snacks are not only important for satisfying hunger but also for providing the necessary nutrients to support their growth and development. These snacks can help bridge the gap between lunch and dinner, ensuring that kids have enough fuel to power through their homework and extracurricular activities.
In addition to providing nourishment, after school snacks also offer an opportunity to introduce new flavors and food groups. After school snacks are the perfect time to add some variety and encourage kids to try a few new tastes and textures, helping them develop a more diverse palate. The key is to serving new foods alongside their tried-and-true favorites for a low-pressure vibe.
A Creative and Fun Presentation for After School Snacks
Presentation is key when it comes to after school snacks. By making the snacks visually appealing and fun, kids will be more excited to try new things and explore different flavors. My favorite “mom hack” right now for our after school snacks is to prep everything into a super cute muffin pan – it’s smaller portions with lots of options that allow my kids to just grab and go:
Quick and easy after school snack ideas
When choosing after school snacks, I try to strike a balance between taste and nutrition. We opt for snacks with a mix of protein, fiber and carbs. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins are all excellent choices. Here are some of my favorite after-school snack options for my kids:
Fruits
- Apple Slices (dried or fresh)
- Strawberries (dried or fresh)
- Blueberries (dried or fresh)
- Watermelon
- Banana
- Raspberries
- Grapes
- Mango
- Oranges, tangerines, Cuties
- Kiwi
- Dried Fruit
Veggies
- Baby Carrots
- Celery
- Broccoli Florets
- Cucumber
- Bell peppers
- Cauliflower Florets
- Snap peas
- Frozen peas
- Frozen corn
- Zucchini chips
- Edamame
Proteins
- Beef Sticks/Jerky
- Greek Yogurt
- Cottage Cheese
- Hard Boiled Eggs
- Turkey/Ham slices
- Peanuts
- Almonds
- Pistachios
- Chickpeas (roasted or seasoned)
- Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella)
Carbs/Crunchy
- Pretzels
- Goldfish Crackers
- Popcorn
- Rice Cakes
- Whole grain crackers
- Oatmeal bites
- Dry cereal
- Pita
Dippers
- Ranch
- Peanut Butter
- Almond Butter
- Hummus
- Salsa
- Greek Yogurt Dip
- Tzatziki
- Mustard
Sweet Treats
- Rice Krispie Treats
- Yogurt covered raisins
- Raisins
- Baked apple chips
- Trail mix
- Granola
- Dried cranberries
- Cookies (we love Skout Organic! use code LOVELY for 25% off)
Hack your after school snacks with this muffin pan snack board to make after-school snacking a breeze for your kids – with a fun and nutritious twist. Let me know if you try this mom hack!
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