WANT EVEN MORE HEALTHY IDEAS FROM SHAPE YOUR FUTURE?
After a busy day at school, most kids come home hungry and tired. Plus, errands, extracurricular activities and homework can make the transition even tougher. A healthy, late-afternoon snack can help avoid meltdowns. These easy snack solutions are sure to keep them satisfied until dinner — and fuel them for whatever else your afternoon holds!
Create a Self-Serve Snack Station
Want to make it easy for your kids to help themselves when hunger strikes? Try these tips!
- Dedicate a drawer, basket or section of the fridge for healthy snacks.
- Put the snack bin down low, where it’s easy for kids to see their options.
- Stock your station with granola bars, fruits, veggies, string cheese and other healthy snacks.
Play With Your Food
A little creativity can transform a regular snack into a special treat. Test out these ideas!
- Check out this recipe for Peanut Butter Flies.
- Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes with cheese slices, watermelon or whole wheat bread.
- Work together to make a silly face with blueberries, raisins or cucumbers.
Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect!
Fuel Your Active Fun
Whether you’re headed to soccer practice or a backyard playdate, protein + a healthy fat can help keep everyone full longer. Turn to these nutritious combos for long-lasting energy:
- Almonds + low fat, low sugar yogurt
- Hummus + baby carrots
- String cheese + whole wheat crackers
- Peanut butter + banana smoothies
- Cottage cheese + fresh or frozen fruit
- Peanut butter + apple slices
- Cream cheese + rice cakes
- Grapes + cheese cubes
Customize Your Crunch With Stovetop Popcorn
Whether your kids like it sweet or savory, this whole-grain snack is quick and easy. Switch up your stovetop popcorn with:
- Ranch seasoning
- Cinnamon
- Cocoa powder
- Chili powder
- Other seasonings
Find the recipe here!
Roll Out a Snack Tray Buffet
Make a snack tray with a muffin tin in just a few minutes! Choose your favorite healthy goodies and divvy them up among all 12 cups. Small portions are the perfect way to introduce new foods and use up what you have on hand! The possibilities are endless, but here are a few ideas:
- Whole-grain cereal
- Low sugar granola
- Baby carrots
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Fresh or frozen fruit
- Hummus
- Jerky
Looking for more healthy ideas? Visit ShapeYourFutureOK.com for great recipes, activity ideas for the family and so much more.