Healthy Summer Snacks For Kids – Over 50 Easy Ideas!

Once summer is in full swing, we love to be out and about. One of my goals this summer is to visit as many local parks as we can.

Last year, we also found a hidden gem; a nearby wading pool that we loved so much we visited several times. We also bought our first boat and hit up several lakes around the area where we went tubing, boating, and swimming.

But, while doing all these fun summer activities, we get HUNGRY! So I’ve rounded up a list of healthy snacks that my family enjoys munching on throughout the warmer months.

What Makes A Snack Healthy?

Have you ever thought about what actually makes a snack healthy? We all know soda and candy are not great choices but sometimes things we think are good for us may not be!

A prime example of this would be sweetened yogurt. The average cup of flavored yogurt has up to 30 grams of sugar (or 7.5 teaspoons) — that’s as much as a chocolate bar!

So when choosing your healthy pool or summer snacks, look for options that provide a combination of macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fat) in an effort to keep you full longer.

Smart Snacking Guidelines To Follow:

1. Choose hydrating snacks. Summertime is hot and dehydration is no joke. The combination of sun exposure and lack of water intake is brutal on our bodies. When most people think of ‘hydration’, they immediately think of liquids. But did you realize that foods can be hydrating too? Take that into consideration and choose healthy summer snacks that feature high water content to combat any dehydration issues on a hot summer day.
2. Include macronutrients. Macronutrients are the nutrients we need to intake in larger quantities as they will work to provide us with energy: in other words, healthy fat, protein, and carbohydrates. As a rule of thumb, try to include at least two of the three categories.
3. Shop the edge of the grocery store and choose produce. It’s a well-known fact that the majority of Americans don’t eat enough fruits and veggies. Snack time, especially when out and about during the summer is a great time to sneak these in and boost produce intake! What you pack is what’s available and kids can be ravenous on busy pool or park days. That means they’ll eat what’s available and the best part is that fruits and vegetables are typically some of the most hydrating options.
4. Pick something that is satisfying. I know that grabbing a granola bar is easy but will it actually keep anyone full for longer than 15 minutes? Usually not. Spend a little time prepping and not only will your hunger be more satisfied, it’s also a great way save on the wallet! When we get hungry, it’s easy to justify a quick stop at the gas station but those prices add up fast. Pack snacks that sound yummy to you and have some sustenance.
5. Make snacking fun! No matter what age kiddos you have, make snacking fun! Toddlers love bite-sized snacks cut into small pieces. Elementary-aged kids enjoy finger foods for little hands. Teens love variety and a fun way to dress up a snack is with creamy dips.
   
   Pool days, park trips, and zoo adventures are all meant to be fun experiences. Gone are the days of boring carrot sticks in ziplock baggies. Choose your snack and then make it fun by serving it in an interesting way or dressing it up! The warmer weather of the summer months doesn’t mean you need to avoid bringing food along; just pack it in a cooler to keep it fresh.

50+ Healthy Summer Snack Ideas That Are Easy

If you’re on the hunt for yummy, heathy summer snacks, we’ve got them! Check out this great list of over 50 delicious, easy, and nutritious snack options.

Summer is a great time of year to get out and enjoy life but make sure you pack a quick snack along for the journey. With just a little prep and grocery store run, you’ll be stocked up and ready for some extra fun.

We’ve rounded up some crowd pleasers below:

• Air Popped Popcorn (season it yourself so you know exactly what’s in it)
• Homemade Yogurt Popsicles
• Chicken Salad Roll-Ups (use tortilla shells instead of croissants to make it healthier!)
• Frozen Fruit: Take your favorite fruits and freeze for a healthy, fresh, and cool treat! Good options include:
  • Grapes
  • Strawberries
  • Cherries
  • Peaches
  • Plums
  • Pears
  • Blueberries
  • Blackberries
• Chicken And Wild Rice Salad
• Turn Cucumbers Into ‘Potato Chips‘
• Sandwich Kabobs
• Homemade Fruit Snacks
• Chips And Salsa
• Guacamole And Pepper Sticks — Additional sides to serve with guac include:
  • Chips
  • Cooked Chicken
  • Toast
  • Shrimp Bites
  • Mushrooms
  • Asparagus Spears
  • Baby Carrots
  • Celery
  • Jicama
  • Crackers
  • Pita Chips (Whole grains!)
  • Bell Peppers – all colors!
  • Tortilla Chips
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Sugar Snap Peas
  • Homemade Bagel Bites (Can be topped with cream cheese spread for added flavor.)
  • Fruit Salad
• Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges
• Homemade Protein Bars
• Cold Veggie Pizzas
• Watermelon Wedges
• Homemade Smoothies Frozen Into A Popsicle
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Homemade Pretzel Bites
• Hummus
• Apple Nachos (Cut up green apples into slices. Drizzle with melted peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter. Then, if you’d like to really jazz it up, sprinkle with shredded coconut for an extra pop of flavor.)
• String Cheese
• Popsicles
• Fruit Kabobs
• Fresh Fruit Bowl (Include the in-season options that are on sale! Adding a yogurt dip on the side is also super yummy.)
  • Cantaloupe
  • Strawberries
  • Mangos
  • Blueberries
  • Raspberries
  • Watermelon
  • Grapes
  • Pineapple
  • Blueberries
  • Blackberries
  • Fresh Fruit Skewers (Using some of the options listed above and drizzle with maple syrup for a special treat.)
  • Ants On A Log – Celery Sticks With Peanut Butter And Raisins
  • Crackers And Cheese
  • Charcuterie Board Filled With Meats And Cheeses
  • Tortilla Pizzas
  • Homemade Lunchables
  • Watermelon Pizza
  • Greek Yogurt With Fruit Or Granola
  • Homemade Uncrustables
• Yogurt Fruit Salad
• Hard Boiled Eggs
• Trail Mix Divided Into Snack Sized Portions (Don’t forget a few chocolate chips for those with a sweet tooth.)
• Pizza Roll Ups (Pack of tortillas, pizza sauce and shredded cheese rolled up and air fried.)
• Pinwheels
• Yogurt Parfaits (Made using your favorite fruit or homemade granola.)
• Frozen Banana On A Stick (You can drizzle with chocolate for added flair.)
• Quesadillas
• Ice Cream (Have you seen the TikTok / social media recipe of homemade ice cream from cottage cheese!?)
• Energy Bites
• Easy Fruit Pizza

No matter what you decide on, an easy healthy snack is a great addition to any adventure. The list above offers many options for the perfect snack for kids and adults alike.

If you’ve found that some of your prepared fruit (such as apple slices) turns brown, spritz with lemon juice to help keep them fresh. Summer appetizer choices are endless!

Favorite Summer Activities

Being from Minnesota, most of the families I know love to take full advantage of the good weather while we have it. Fun in the (hot) sun is limited to just a few short months here. Some of our favorite summer activities include:

• Fishing
• Sandcastle Building
• Playing At The Park
• Going Tubing
• Water Skiing
• Visiting A Local Zoo
• Blowing Bubbles
• Drawing With Chalk
• Playing Outdoor Games
• Going On A Picnic
• Attending Local Festivals
• Seeing A Parade
• Playing Jump Rope With Friends
• Running Through The Sprinkler
• Fly A Kite
• Climb Trees
• Have A Water Balloon Fight
• Build A Slip ‘N Slide
• Host A Backyard BBQ
• Go Bird Watching
• Jump On The Trampoline
• Looking For Shapes In The Clouds
• Make A Bird Feeder
• Build A Fairy Garden
• Head To Local Free Outdoor Concerts
• Take In A Baseball Game
• Go Rock Hunting (And Then Paint Them!)
• Splash In The Creek Up The Road
• Pick Wild Flowers
• Challenge Siblings To A Hula Hoop Contest
• Yard Games
• Go For A Family Bike Ride
• Play A Game Of Pig Or Horse
• Go On A Hike
• Skip Stones On The Shoreline
• Have A Bonfire
• Catch Lightning Bugs
• Stargaze
• Go On An Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
  • Free Printable Toddler Scavenger Hunt
  • Free Printable Kids Scavenger Hunt

The Bottom Line

Summer is made for fun. Nobody enjoys being hangry, especially on fun days at the pool. Whether you’re choosing to buy pre-made snacks from the store or making your own easy snack ideas at home, just be conscientious about what you’re eating.

As always, keep food safety guidelines in mind and, when in doubt, pack those snacks on ice! The last think you want is a warm gooey mess.

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Be sure to check out our kid friendly red, white, and blue desserts that are perfect treats for July 4th. Another one of our best snack treats is this irresistible cereal drop snack mix.