I have been a parent for almost 19 years and of all the things I’ve learned, one remains true to this day: every child everywhere will want a snack the minute they get home from school!
Kids‘ bodies seem to innately know when the end of the school day is, which immediately signals the stomach growl. With the school year quickly approaching for so many, it is time to start thinking about all those snacks we need to have ready for the next 180 days. These best kid snacks are sure to please hungry tummies and bring smiles to little faces.
Related: 50 Easy Lunch Ideas For Kids
Best After-School Snacks For Kids
The snacks I love best are the ones I can either make earlier in the day and have waiting or ones their little hands can help make to have some fun in the kitchen. On go-to for me are fluff recipes, which fit both of those requirements! Banana Split, Cookies and Cream and S’mores fluff can be sitting in the fridge waiting for the kiddos to get home.
The Crock Pot Chili’s Copycat Queso is another great make-ahead option. All kids have to do is grab some tortilla chips and dip. Plus, after they taste-test it, the rest can be used for a Taco Tuesday supper!
Related: 35 Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas For Kids
Healthy After-School Snacks For Kids
Looking for something nutritious to give the kids? My Fruit Salsa is always a huge hit and the Veggie Dip Cups are super cute and perfect for on-the-go snacking too! Air Fryer Zucchini Chips will give them that fry or potato chip feeling but with something green. The Strawberry Banana Smoothie will provide the energy they need to power through homework or after-school sports. And the Rainbow Fruit Kabobs are as pretty as they are tasty and perfect for when school days are still sweltering.
Related: 57 Healthy and Delicious Low-Calorie Snacks
Fun Snacks For Kids
Sometimes you want to take things up a notch, and that’s where these fun snacks some in. I can’t wait to try the Ocean Water Punch with my little guy and if you have huge Mandalorian fans in your house, the Baby Yoda Macaron Cookies are going to score you major mommy/daddy points! Oreo Dirt Cups are always a huge hit with kids because they come with a “yuck” factor that makes them laugh.
Related: 45 Best Lunchbox Ideas For Kids
I might not be ready for the school year to start, but I feel better knowing that these snack recipes will make sure I’ve got that part of back to school madness covered. Take a look and bookmark your favorite ones to try!
Best After-School Snacks
Jessica Wrubel
This TikTok sensation combines two favorite sweet treats into one dynamo bite.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer S’mores Cookies
Related: 21 Best S’mores Dessert Recipes
Krista Marshall
Tastes just like the ice cream sundae favorite in every single spoonful.
Get the recipe: Banana Split Fluff
Parade
Feel good about giving kids one of their favorites because these are just as tasty as the store-bought but without artificial ingredients.
Get the recipe: Homemade Fruit Snacks
Krista Marshall
You think you have self-control until you start eating chips and salsa!
Get the recipe: Copycat Chili’s Salsa
You can make this sweet and salty snack all your own by adding your favorite things.
Get the recipe: Sweet ‘n’ Salty Trail Mix
Krista Marshall
Fresh fruit salad with a sweet and tangy dressing thanks to honey and lime juice.
Get the recipe: Honey Lime Fruit Salad
Krista Marshall
Who needs dough when you can make pizza crust out of mozzarella sticks?
Get the recipe: Cheese Stick Pizza
Krista Marshall
Bring the campfire fun inside any afternoon of the week with this chocolatey goodness.
Get the recipe: S’mores Fluff
Krista Marshall
The name might scare parents, but it will only make kids want to eat it more!
Get the recipe: Frog Eye Salad
Krista Marshall
Let the kids sample a little bit for a snack and then plan the rest for a Mexican night supper.
Get the recipe: Crock Pot Copycat Chili’s Queso
Related: 42 Best Mexican Crock Pot Recipes
Krista Marshall
Give the kids something refreshing to sip as they head outside to play on a hot day.
Get the recipe: Strawberry Lemonade
Krista Marshall
No need to hit the drive-thru after school when you can make these at home.
Get the recipe: Copycat Dunkin’ Donuts Carrot Muffins
Salty pretzels are taken to a whole new level with some Everything But The Bagel seasoning blend.
Get the recipe: Everything But The Bagel Pretzels
Krista Marshall
Keep a box of Texas toast-style garlic bread in the freezer so the kids can have a mini pizza party any day of the week.
Get the recipe: Garlic Bread Pizzas
Oreo fans will jump for joy at this creamy chocolatey sweet treat.
Get the recipe: Cookies and Cream Fluff
Theresa Greco
Kids will love this fun twist on a fry. Plus a yummy strawberry yogurt dipping sauce.
Get the recipe: Watermelon Fries
George Duran
Kids will love coming home to their own little party appetizer.
Get the recipe: Pigs-in-a-Blanket
Honeysuckle
This retro treat used to be in every freezer. Now you can easily make them at home.
Get the recipe: Fudgesicles
Krista Marshall
Grab some graham crackers or cinnamon sugar chips and jump in!
Get the recipe: Fruit Salsa
Krista Marshall
All the flavors from the beloved candy in a bite-sized muffin.
Get the recipe: Peanut Butter Cup Mini Muffins
Related: 32 Sweet and Savory Peanut Butter Recipes
If the kids love pickles, the dill flavor in these little crackers will be right up their alley.
Get the recipe: Lemon Dill Snack Crackers
Parade
Make the cups early in the day and then let the kids fill them when they get home for a fun interactive snack.
Get the recipe: Granola Cups with Yogurt
How can you make popcorn better? Add cheese and bacon, of course!
Get the recipe: Cheddar Bacon Popcorn
Smartfood
The perfect sweet and salty caramel-flavored snack.
Get the recipe: S’more Popcorn Bars
Spend With Pennies
Running short only time? This quick dip is something you can throw together last minute.
Get the recipe: 5-Minute Taco Dip
The Country Cook
Any Star Wars fans will flip for these adorable, yummy cookies.
Get the recipe: Baby Yoda Macaron Cookies
South Your Mouth
These aren’t your grandma’s RKT. They have double the butter, extra marshmallows and vanilla!
Get the recipe: Best Ever Rice Krispie Treats
Spend With Pennies
Chewy coconut cookies with candy eggs, or in the spring use a marshmallow chick!
Get the recipe: Birds Nest Cookies
Plain Chicken
Put a little kick into your afternoon snack routine with this five-ingredient recipe.
Get the recipe: Buffalo Ranch Crackers
Plain Chicken
Kids are such fans of anything ranch flavored, you know these will be a hit.
Get the recipe: Cheesy Ranch Crackers
Related: 14 Ranch Recipes For The Ranch-Obsessed
Southern Bite
If you have peanut butter lovers in your house, they will run to the front door knowing these are waiting on them.
Get the recipe: Chewy Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
Julia’s Simply Southern
Nachos made from apples with delicious toppings. Let the kids make their own!
Get the recipe: Chocolate Dipped Apple Nachos
Plain Chicken
The perfect savory and sweet bite. These are great for game day and tailgating too.
Get the recipe: Funnel Cake Dogs
Spend With Pennies
Who doesn’t love an ooey gooey mozzarella stick? These can be fried or baked!
Get the recipe: Gooey Cheese Sticks
The Country Cook
An easy no-bake treat with a creamy filling made from whipped topping and instant pudding.
Get the recipe: Graham Cracker Goodies
The Country Cook
Grab a tall glass of milk because you will need it with these peanut butter bars covered in chocolate.
Get the recipe: Grandma’s Peanut Butter Bars
Plain Chicken
Keep an extra can of biscuits in the fridge for when the kids are craving a pizza-inspired snack.
Get the recipe: Hasselback Pizza Biscuits
Spend With Pennies
Making caramel corn at home is almost as easy as bringing home a box from the store.
Get the recipe: Homemade Caramel Corn
Spend With Pennies
Most kids today haven’t had homemade pudding. Surprise them with this old-fashioned treat!
Get the recipe: Homemade Chocolate Pudding
The Country Cook
Take the kids on a little staycation any afternoon of the week.
Get the recipe: Ocean Water Punch
Related: 30 Best Bridal Shower Punch Recipes
Spend With Pennies
Kids always get grossed out with this dessert, but love it all the same.
Get the recipe: Oreo Dirt Cups
Plain Chicken
The key to this fun snack is a spaghetti sauce packet!
Get the recipe: Pizza Pretzel Nuggets
Spend With Pennies
Only 20 minutes from start to finish these can be customized for each person.
Get the recipe: Quick and Easy Bagel Pizzas
Spend With Pennies
With that rainbow of colors, you know these will taste great while being healthy too.
Get the recipe: Rainbow Fruit Kabobs
Plain Chicken
Yes, you can make Chex Mix in your slow cooker, making it so easy!
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Chex Mix
Spend With Pennies
Look what you can do with a box of Jello and grapes!
Get the recipe: Sour Patch Grapes
Spend With Pennies
This smoothie will give the littles the energy they need to power through homework hour.
Get the recipe: Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Spend With Pennies
In only three minutes with three ingredients, you can be dipping cookies in a funfetti frosting.
Get the recipe: Dunkaroo Dip
The Country Cook
Muffins are such a great make-ahead snack. Have them waiting for the troops as soon as they get home.
Get the recipe: Milk Chocolate Chip Muffins
South Your Mouth
No oven is required for these peanut butter cookies with quick-cooking oats topped with chocolate chips and M&Ms.
Get the recipe: No-Bake Monster Cookies
Related: 27 Best No-Bake Desserts and Treats
Plain Chicken
The perfect mix of sweet and salty in every single bite.
Get the recipe: Praline Popcorn
Spend With Pennies
So tasty the kids won’t even notice they are eating their vegetables.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
Plain Chicken
You only need four ingredients and 10 minutes to have this flavorful snack ready to go.
Get the recipe: BBQ Ranch Popcorn
The Country Cook
Perfect if you need the kids to grab a snack and get in the car onto the next activity.
Get the recipe: Veggie Dip Cups
The Best Ideas For Kids
Greek yogurt, pureed fruit and honey are all you need for these poppable snacks.
Get the recipe: Frozen Yogurt Bites
Related: 30 Best Greek Yogurt Dip Recipes
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