57 Kid-Approved & Healthy After School Snack Ideas (Plus a Few Sweet Ones Too!)

A lot of people think school looks way different when you homeschool. And yes, although some things are different, many things are still the same.

Although we homeschool, it doesn’t mean we are staying home all the time! In fact, my kids get out into the community a lot! We take trips to the local museums, historical locations, and we even visit the library very regularly (it’s not uncommon for us to have over 60 library books checked out at one time!), we set up playdates with other homeschooling families, take nature walks, etc.

As their teacher, I spend a lot of time planning for their schooling. And, just like other moms, I have to plan for after-school snacks for my kids. We often have snacks twice a day – a morning snack and an afternoon snack.

Kids need something to tie them over until dinner time. If you’re in a snack rut, have no fear. I am here to help! I’ve got a whole list of quick snacks and you are sure to find some good ideas and new recipes to try.

Having tasty snacks on hand for my kids that they can take with us on the go or eat between meals is very important!

When I’m planning for our snacks, I make sure to keep healthy snacks on hand. If it’s an easy snack, that’s an added bonus since I’m generally pretty busy with 7 kids! I look for fresh fruit, healthy fats, and whole grains.

Sure, every now and then I let them indulge in junk food, but healthy after-school snacks are really the best way to feed hungry kids.

I’ve compiled a list of over 50 of our favorite after school snack ideas. This will give you some great ideas of things you can get for your own kids for after school snacks.

57 After School Snack Ideas

1. Grapes 
2. Peanuts
3. Plums
4. Celery sticks with peanut butter
5. Rice cakes
6. Cheese sticks (string cheese)
7. Beef jerky
8. Dried fruit
9. Pickles
10. Crackers
11. Cherry tomatoes (I serve these with ranch dressing)
12. Pumpkin seeds
13. Apple slices (I like to pair them with peanut butter)
14. Bananas
15. Salad
16. Raisins
17. Watermelon
18. Sliced cucumbers
19. Rice cakes
20. Cheese cubes
21. Mandarin oranges
22. Granola bars
23. Fruit leather strips
24. Pretzels
25. Mixed nuts
26. Yogurt covered raisins
27. Muffins
28. Veggie straws
29. Craisins
30. Roasted chickpeas
31. Kiwi
32. Strawberries
33. Hummus and crackers
34. Pistachios
35. Veggie Chips
36. Seaweed
37. Dry cereal
38. Fruit and veggie pouches
39. Peaches
40. Toast (Avocado toast is a great option or you could add nut butters like peanut butter or almond butter for extra protein and higher nutritional values)
41. Applesauce
42. Popcorn
43. Carrots
44. Blueberries
45. Bell pepper strips
46. Yogurt cup (Greek yogurt has more protein to keep him/her full longer if your child likes that)
47. Pepperoni slices
48. Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
49. Smoothie drink
50. English muffins
51. Other fresh fruits your child enjoys
52. Sunflower seeds
53. Homemade trail mix
54. Mini Fruit Pizzas
55. Homemade protein bars
56. Bagel with cream cheese
57. Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips

After School Snack Tips

Pair these snacks with a glass of milk at snack time and it will give them extra protein so they stay filled up for dinner or as you head out the door to sports practice.

Try to stay consistent with what time you serve snacks and what time you eat dinner. Remember that children go through frequent growth spurts and if they are hungry, I never deny my children healthy, whole foods snacks.

Keep snacks in a central location so your child can easily find them. Have a section in the refrigerator and another in the pantry. I try to keep a selection of packaged snacks in my van as well in case we are not home when hunger strikes.

Remember that since your child will go through growth spurts, some days, weeks, and/or months they may need snacks more frequently or in greater quantities to fill them up.

Sweet Treats

As I mentioned, occasionally I will let my kids have some sweeter treats for a snack. When I do, I usually give them one of these.

1. Cookies – mine really like when I bake cookies, like these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies and the classic chocolate chip cookies
2. Peanut butter rice crispy treats
3. Cereal drop snack mix
4. Toaster Strudel
5. Muffins with chocolate chips
6. Popsicles (We usually have these on a hot day and sometimes I make them at home so I can use fresh fruit and juice so they are healthier.)
7. Homemade fruit snacks

When summer hits, make sure you check out this list of our favorite healthy summer snack ideas for kids.