Hello, can anyone recommend quick and healthy snack ideas that kids would actually enjoy? I’m running out of ideas! Thanks! — Natalie
Oh, hi NatalieSnackQueen! Welcome to the forum!
Girl, I hear you! The “what can I give them for a snack THAT THEY’LL ACTUALLY EAT and isn’t pure sugar” struggle is SO real in our house. My two are 9 and 13, and you’d think their tastes would be totally different, but sometimes they’re both equally picky, just about different things! 
It feels like a constant rotation of trying to find that magic combo of healthy and appealing.
Here are a few things that get a thumbs-up from my crew (most of the time, anyway! You know how kids can be – love something one week, turn their nose up at it the next!):
- “Fancy” Apple Slices: Instead of just handing them an apple, I’ll slice it and serve it with a little bowl of peanut butter (or almond butter for my oldest, who’s decided he’s “too cool” for regular PB sometimes, ha!). Sometimes a tiny sprinkle of cinnamon on the apples makes them feel like a treat.
- Yogurt Parfaits (DIY style): I put out plain Greek yogurt, a bowl of berries (whatever’s in season or frozen), and maybe some granola or a few seeds. They get to “build their own,” which my 9-year-old especially loves. The 13-year-old will actually eat this too if he’s hungry enough and it’s easily accessible.
- Veggies & Dip (the classic!): Baby carrots, cucumber sticks, bell pepper strips. Hummus is usually a hit, or sometimes ranch (I try to find a healthier version or make my own if I’m feeling ambitious, which, let’s be honest, isn’t always often!).
- “Ants on a Log”: Celery sticks, peanut butter, and raisins. My 9-year-old still thinks this is fun, thankfully!
- Smoothies: This is my secret weapon for sneaking in things like spinach! Banana, berries, a handful of spinach (they can’t taste it, I swear!), some yogurt or milk, and maybe a little honey. The 13-year-old will down one if I make it for him after school.
- Hard-Boiled Eggs: I try to make a batch at the beginning of the week. They’re a quick protein boost. Sometimes they eat them, sometimes they don’t – it’s a gamble!
- Popcorn: Air-popped is great! We have a little air popper, and they love watching it. A little butter and a tiny sprinkle of salt, and it feels like a movie night treat.
- Cheese & Crackers: String cheese is always a winner, or cubes of cheddar with some whole-grain crackers.
One thing I’ve learned is that presentation can make a difference, especially for my younger one. Cutting fruit into fun shapes or using colorful little bowls sometimes helps. And involving them in picking out snacks at the store or even helping prepare them (like washing berries) can make them more likely to try things.
Don’t beat yourself up if some days are less “nutritious” than others – we all have those days! Sometimes a cookie is just what’s needed, and that’s okay too. It’s all about balance, right?
Hope this gives you a few new ideas to try! It’s a journey, for sure. Hang in there – you’re doing great just by looking for healthy options for your little one!
What snacks are working for other parents out there? Always looking for new inspiration!
Warmly,
A fellow mom in the snack trenches! 
Hello Natalie,
What a wonderful question! It’s something my daughter and I chat about all the time. It feels like as soon as you find a snack they love, their tastes change overnight! In our house, “ants on a log” (celery sticks with peanut butter and a few raisins) is still a classic that gets gobbles up. We also do apple slices with a little dish of peanut butter for dipping—it seems to make it more of an activity for them.
Your question actually got me thinking about something else I worry about constantly these days. It’s not just about what my grandkids are eating, but what they’re consuming on their tablets while they’re having their snacks. I see them munching away while watching videos or playing games, and my heart just sinks a little wondering if they’re safe.
I want so badly to protect them, but I also know it’s important for them to have their independence and not feel like grandma is spying on them. I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not very tech-savvy, and it all feels a bit overwhelming trying to keep up.
I’ve been doing some research on those parental control apps, though I haven’t taken the plunge and installed one yet. I’m trying to find one that’s simple and not too intrusive. I think being able to see how much time they’re spending on certain apps or maybe setting time limits would be incredibly helpful. Has anyone here had any luck with a particular app that’s easy for a grandparent to use? I’d be so grateful for any recommendations!
For now, my best approach has been to just talk with them. We have a family rule: no devices at the dinner table, and we try to make snack time a device-free zone too. It encourages them to tell me about their day, and it gives me a chance to gently bring up making good choices, whether it’s with food or with what they do online.
Thank you for bringing up such a great topic, Natalie! It really got me thinking.
Warmly,
Danielle R. Newman
Hi Natalie, that’s such a wonderful question. It’s something I think about all the time for my own grandchildren, Leo and Maya.
And thank you, MarkP, for your suggestion in the previous post. “Ants on a log” is a classic for a reason! I used to make that for my own kids, and now I make it for my grandkids. It’s always a winner.
Natalie, my go-to has been apple slices with a little bit of cinnamon sprinkled on top, or a small bowl of Greek yogurt with a handful of berries. What I’ve really found success with is getting the kids involved. We make our own “trail mix” where they can choose from a few bowls of things I’ve set out—almonds, raisins, dried cranberries, and maybe a few dark chocolate chips as a special treat. They seem to love anything they have a hand in making.
I have to admit, another reason I love our snack time together is that it’s one of the few times they put their tablets down without a fuss. It really worries me, all the time they spend online. I want to protect them, of course, but I also want to respect their growing independence. It’s such a tricky balance.
To be honest with you, I’m not very tech-savvy, and it all feels a bit overwhelming. I’ve been doing some reading about parental control apps, though I haven’t taken the plunge and installed one yet. I’m trying to find one that’s simple to use and could help me do things like limit their screen time and maybe just alert me if they stumble onto something they shouldn’t. Have you or MarkP had any luck with these? I’d love a recommendation for one that isn’t too complicated for a grandparent!
For now, my best tool has just been having open conversations with them while we’re munching on our snacks. I’ll ask them what videos they’re enjoying or what new game they’re playing. It feels less like an interrogation and more like I’m just showing an interest. It’s a small thing, but it seems to be helping.
Thanks again for starting this topic, Natalie. It’s so important to think about how we’re nourishing our kids, both with healthy food and with safe habits.
Warmly,
Danielle R. Newman