5-Minute After School Snack Ideas

5-Minute After School Snack Ideas

Take the work out of feeding the kids each afternoon with these quick and healthy ideas suitable for preschoolers on up! Adjust the portion sizes as needed for your child (Nutrition will vary based on the snack idea you choose.)

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 0

Total Time 5

Servings

Calories 326kcal

Author Amy Palanjian

Ingredients

PRETZELS, CHEESE, AVOCADO

1/2 cup pretzels, 1 ounce cheese, 1/4 cup avocado

PRETZELS, NUT/SEED BUTTER, BERRIES

1/2 cup pretzels, 2 tablespoons nut/seed butter, 1/2 cup berries

PRETZELS, NUTELLA, MILK

1/2 cup pretzels, 2 tablespoons Nutella, 1/2-1 cup milk

CHEESE, CRACKERS, DIY FRUIT CUP

1/2 cup whole grain crackers, 1 ounce cheese, 1/2 cup diced fruit with 2 tablespoons lemonade or apple juice

CHEESE, CRACKERS, BANANA

1/2 cup whole grain crackers, 1 ounce cheese, 1 small banana

CHEESE CRACKERS AND SLICED PEAR

1/2 cup cheese crackers, 1 small sliced pear

½ SANDWICH AND SLICED CUCUMBERS

1 slice bread, 1 tablespoon each jam and nut or seed butter, 1/4 cup sliced cucumbers

TOAST WITH MASHED AVOCADO AND HARD-COOKED EGG

1 slice whole grain bread, 2 tablespoons avocado, 1 hard-cooked egg

TOAST WITH JAM AND FRUIT

1 slice whole grain bread, 1 tablespoon jam, 1/2 cup fruit

YOGURT WITH FRUIT PUREE

1/2 cup whole milk plain yogurt, 1/4 cup fruit puree

YOGURT WITH APPLESAUCE

1/2 cup whole milk plain yogurt, 1/4 cup applesauce

YOGURT SMOOTHIE

1 cup whole milk plain yogurt blended with 1 cup frozen fruit (like bananas, cherries, mango, or berries)

TOMATOES AND COTTAGE CHEESE

1/4 cup cherry tomatoes (halved if needed) and 1/4-1/2 cup cottage cheese

COTTAGE CHEESE, GRANOLA, AND DICED PINEAPPLE

1/4 cup cottage cheese, 2 tablespoons granola, 1/4 cup diced pineapple

TOMATOES, GUACAMOLE, VEGGIE STRAWS

1/4 cup cherry tomatoes (diced if needed), 2 tablespoons guacamole, 1/2 cup Veggie Straws

CEREAL BAR AND BANANA

1 Cereal Bar, 1 small banana

CEREAL BAR AND MILK

1 Cereal Bar, 1/2-1 cup milk

GRANOLA BAR AND BERRIES

1 Granola bar, 1/2 cup berries

GRANOLA BAR AND MILK

Granola bar, 1/2-1 cup milk

SNACK BAR AND DRINKABLE YOGURT

1 snack bar, 1/2-1 cup drinkable yogurt

MUFFIN WITH MILK OR FRUIT

1 muffin, 1/2 cup fruit (or one piece)

Instructions

Serve foods on a plate or in a bowl at home or packed in a thermos or lunch bag.
Allow more food according to the child's appetite.

Notes

Aim to serve 2-3 food groups in each snack to help them satisfy, but don't stress if the kids don't always eat everything (because they won't). We don't have to force balance.
Pack any of these to send to eat between activities. Use an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack if needed.
A reusable pouch can be helpful for smoothies and yogurt.
Consider snacks mini meals and don't stress if the kids eat more afternoon snack than dinner—it's very normal for kids to be hungrier at snack time!

Nutrition