Cheap Healthy Snacks For Kids on the Go
Looking for inspiration and ideas for cheap healthy snacks for kids on the go? Well this little hack is just what you need!
Inspiration for Cheap Healthy Snacks for Kids on the Go
Every mother knows the importance of keeping snacks on hand, no matter whether you’re spending time at home with the kids or out and about. The problem with a lot of fun snacks for kids is that they’re not something you want to give your kids on repeat. Most quick and simple snacks for kids are either expensive or unhealthy, albeit convenient. So what are some other options? Before I get on to my No. 1 hack for creating fun healthy snacks for kids, here are a few fast and healthy ideas that work well for after school snacks, lunchbox ideas, toddler snacks (with caution), as well as easy snacks for kids to make themselves!
Dried or Dehydrated Snacks
- Craisins (dried cranberries) – Often found in bulk or store-brand options.
- Banana chips – Look for unsweetened or lightly sweetened ones.
- Dried apricots or apples – Slice or buy pre-cut and store in bulk.
- Homemade trail mix – Mix raisins with a few sunflower seeds or Cheerios.
Fresh Produce (cut up and packed same day or kept in fridge briefly)
- Grapes – Washed and snipped into small bunches.
- Blueberries or raspberries – Great finger foods, and they travel decently.
- Apple slices – Toss with lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Carrot sticks or coins – Especially sweet baby carrots.
- Cucumber slices – Mild and hydrating.
- Cherry tomatoes – Sweet and bite-sized.
Grain-based Snacks
- Dry cereal – Like Cheerios, Rice Krispies, or bran flakes.
- Whole grain crackers – Break into small portions to fit.
- Homemade popcorn – Air-popped with minimal salt.
Protein Snacks
- Roasted chickpeas – Crunchy and filling (can be homemade or store-bought).
- Hard-boiled egg (chopped) – Use a cooler if needed for travel.
- Cheese cubes – Best if kept cool, but okay for short outings.
Other Ideas for Kid Friendly Snacks
- Mini rice cakes – Especially the plain or lightly salted kind.
- Homemade mini muffins – Banana, oat, or veggie-based, cut to fit.
- Peanut butter on celery sticks or crackers – If allergies aren’t an issue.
My No.1 Hack for Making Cheap, Fun Snacks for Kids
My No.1 hack for making cheap, fun and healthy snacks for kids is using these tiny snack-sized tubs to make your own. I used to be constantly buying snack sized bags and boxes of dried fruit until I decided to make my own. After buying this huge food storage container set on Amazon, I wasn’t sure what to do with the small tubs that were way to small for batch cooking and freezing meals. So one day after I’d ran out of raisin boxes, I decided to make my own DIY snack boxes using dried fruit in the cupboard.
The great thing about this is that once you have the storage containers, you can bulk buy dried fruit, nuts, and other healthy snacks, which makes it much more affordable – plus, you’ll never run out! There’s also something about these different sized food containers that kids absolutely love. When I’m boxing up dried fruit and other long-lasting food, I like to batch portion them into tiny food containers so that I always have plenty of tubs in the cupboard ready to grab easily when I’m in a hurry. Not only is this great little hack cost-effective and convenient, it also enables me to choose what goes into them and therefore create a healthy variety of snacks.
Homemade Snacks for Kids
| Day | Tub 1 | Tub 2 (Optional for variety/hunger) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Raisins | Apple slices with a squeeze of lemon |
| Tuesday | Cheerios (plain or honey) | Cucumber coins |
| Wednesday | Dried apricots or cranberries | Baby carrots |
| Thursday | Grapes (cut for age safety) | Popcorn (lightly salted, air-popped) |
| Friday | Banana chips | Cheese cubes (if cool storage is available) |
| Saturday | Homemade trail mix (raisins + sunflower seeds or cereal) | Cherry tomatoes |
| Sunday | Mini muffin (banana or oat-based) | Roasted chickpeas or whole grain crackers |
Try this healthy and kid friendly banana oat mini muffins recipe here
Tips to Save Time and Keep Snacks Fresh:
- Sunday Prep: Pre-wash grapes, cherry tomatoes, carrots, and cucumbers. Store in the fridge and portion as needed.
- Make muffins and popcorn in bulk and store in airtight containers.
- Use lemon juice on apples to stop browning if prepping ahead.
- Mix and match depending on what’s in the pantry or on sale.
- Store extra dry snacks (like Cheerios, banana chips) in bulk so you can quickly scoop into tubs.
Optional Snack Add-ons (mix & match for variety):
- A spoon of peanut butter with celery
- Yogurt tube (if you’re packing a cooler bag)
- Half a sandwich cut into cubes (for larger tubs)
Healthy Snack Shopping List (1 Week)
Fruits & Vegetables
- Grapes (1 small bunch)
- Apples (2–3, preferably firm like Gala or Fuji)
- Cucumbers (1–2)
- Baby carrots (1 bag)
- Cherry tomatoes (1 pint)
- Bananas (for fresh eating or baking muffins)
- Lemon (1, for apple slices)
Dry Goods / Shelf-Stable
- Raisins (1 large bag or box)
- Banana chips (unsweetened if possible)
- Dried cranberries or apricots
- Air-popped popcorn (or popcorn kernels to pop at home)
- Cheerios or other low-sugar dry cereal
- Sunflower seeds (optional, for trail mix)
- Whole grain crackers
- Rolled oats (for homemade muffins)
- Flour, baking soda, baking powder (for muffins if not already stocked)
Refrigerated Items
- Cheddar or mozzarella cheese block (for cubing)
- Eggs (for muffins and/or boiled eggs)
- Milk or plant milk (for baking)
Pantry Staples for Muffins (check if you already have these)
- Sugar or honey
- Oil or butter
- Cinnamon or vanilla extract (optional)
You may also like this quick and healthy recipe for banana oat mini muffins here.
