Schools

Easy After-School Snack Ideas

Convincing kids to skip classic calorie-laden snacks is simple if you've got delicious, homemade alternatives on hand.

Written by Dana Leigh Smith

Ravenous kids can make bad decisions when it comes to after-school snacks. These healthy and delicious snacks are actually easy enough for kids to make themselves.

Scroll down for these recipes:Celery Safari, Fruit Kabobs, Peanut Butter Granola Balls, and Homemade Hummus.

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Celery Safari Snack

Good For: Pre-Schoolers

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Kids will love eating and making this creative safari-themed snack. Let your little one spread the dip onto celery sticks and garnish them with an animal cracker.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 of an 8-ounce package reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchatel), softened

  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

  • 2 - 3 tablespoons milk

  • 2  teaspoons honey

  • 1 box of animal crackers

  • desired amount of cut-up fresh fruit

  • Directions:

    1. For dip, in a small mixing bowl beat cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in peanut butter, milk, and honey until well combined and smooth. If desired, chill before serving.

    2. To serve, spread dip in celery sticks and garnish with animal crackers and chopped fresh fruit. Or, serve with assorted dippers. Makes 20 one-tablespoon servings (1-1/4 cups).

    Fruit Kabobs

    Good For: Elementary Schoolers

    Set out skewers, fruit and toppings and let the fun begin! (Tip: Cut the tips off sharp wooden skewers, which can be dangerous for young children.)

    Ingredients:

    • 1 apple

    • 1 banana

    • 1/3 cup red seedless grapes

    • 1/3 cup green seedless grapes

  • 2/3 cups pineapple chunks

  • 1 cup nonfat yogurt

  • ¼ cup dried coconut, shredded

    • 2 wooden skewer sticks

    Directions:

    1. Prepare the fruit by washing the grapes, washing the apples and cutting them into small squares, peeling the bananas and cutting them into chunks, and cutting the pineapple into chunks, if it's fresh. Put the fruit onto a large plate.

    2. Spread coconut onto another large plate.

    3. Slide pieces of fruit onto the skewer and design your own kabob by putting as much or as little of whatever fruit you want! Do this until the stick is almost covered from end to end.

    4. Hold your kabob at the ends and roll it in the yogurt, so the fruit gets covered. Then roll it in the coconut.

    5. Repeat these steps with another skewer.

    Peanut Butter Granola Balls

    Good For: Middle Schoolers

    This easy-to-make snack is a healthy alternative to processed granola bars. The best part: They are sweetened with yummy ingredients like peanut butter, honey and dried fruit, so kids will never know these homework time treats are actually good for them. Tummies still rumbling? Serve with low-cal, fiber-rich veggie sticks to keep hunger at bay without spoiling dinner.

    Ingredients:

    1/3 cup honey

    1/4 cup natural peanut butter

    2 tablespoons unsalted butter

    1 cup crisp rice cereal

    1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

    1/4 cup dried fruit

    Directions:

    1. In a small saucepan over medium, heat honey, peanut butter, and butter. Stir until loosened and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in cereal, oats, and dried fruit.

    2. Drop mixture by the tablespoon into mini paper cupcake or candy liners. Place on a rimmed baking sheet, and refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes.

    Homemade Hummus with Veggie Slices and Pita

    Good For: High Schoolers

    Keep high schoolers away from the candy bowl by preparing a healthy hummus dip that looks too delicious to pass up. Wash and slice veggie sticks and throw on a platter with some mini pitas.

    Ingredients:

    • 1 (15-ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained, liquid reserved

    • 1 clove garlic, crushed

    • 2 teaspoons ground cumin

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • Directions:

    1. In a blender or food processor combine garbanzo beans, garlic, cumin, salt and olive oil. Blend on low speed, gradually adding reserved bean liquid, until desired consistency is achieved.

    2. Serve with mini-pitas, carrot, celery and pepper slices.

    TELL US: Do you have any awesome snack ideas for hungry school kids? Share your recipe in comments section below.


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