Creative and Healthy Snack Ideas for Kids | Say Goodbye to Vending Machines!

[ChefTotsy]

Hello everyone!!

Last night, I met with my children's teachers.

All the vending machines have been taken out (I am glad) except for bottled water. The snacks they bring from home will be monitored (no chips, Little Debbie's..nothing like that). I am sure grapes, apples & peanut butter will tire my little ones pretty fast. HELP?!?!?!?

Also, for parties (Christmas, Valentines, Birthdays) NO CUPCAKES, BROWNIES, or items like that......... This is where I need more of your help.

Are there any ideas out there for party foods for kids other that cupcakes and brownies??!?!?!?! I am stumped on this one!!

This is a great change and I love it, but no cupcakes for Valentine's Day!!!

Thank you all and I am excited to read and test your ideas!

 

[jenniferp417]

For class parties, I always send cut-up fruit and yogurt dip - I cheat and buy it from the deli, but it'd be cheaper to do it by hand... the kids always seem to like it!And even with basic fruits and veggies, don't forget that the dips can make all the difference! Are the kids adventurous? Pita bread and hummus would be good, if they're willing to give it a shot. Bagels and cream cheese, too.I can't believe it's already time to be thinking of this stuff again!

 

[nikked]

Yikes!I agree that some change is necessary in our schools, but no treats for special days?????!!!!! They are KIDS for goodness sakes.

I have no clue as to other types of snacks. I personally am grossed out by the thought of a cut apple sitting for hours before getting eaten. Yuck!

Maybe "ants on a log". Peanut butter on celery with raisins, or cream cheese and garlic salt (or leave out the garlic salt). Especially the PB one, that's a always popular with kids.

I have a recipe for a whole wheat, no suguar (uses splenda) apple sauce cake that is really good. Maybe something like that they would let you bring???

Maybe a fruit "fondue", but using yogurt instead of chocolate?

I would definitely ask what the teacher/school would allow as far as "healthy" cakes and treats. If you look up "sugar buster recipes" on line, you will find a ton of whole wheat, sugar free recipes that are really good.

I don't know if I've helped at all, but I can definitely sympathize. (Did I spell that right?...need a spell checker on this thing...but that's another thread )

 

[rebeccastt]

I have been teaching for 10 years now and have just retired to stay at home with my baby (I'm due any day now) and as a teacher, it would be great to get some different snacks than bags of chips and lots of cupcakes and cookies. Here are some ideas I had:

*Beef Jerky
*Trail Mix
*Light Popcorn
*Dried Fruit
*Fruit Cups
*Bagel Chips
*Pickles (Kids LOVE those big dill pickles)
*Crackers and Cheese

Just some ideas....

 

[dcypcar.chef]

What about the PB&j waffle-wiches from the Let's eat cookbook. My daughter loves these. There are a ton of good recipes for kids in classrooms that could be used in that cookbook. We have tried almost all of them and haven't found any that we didn't like.

 

[amya]

What about some cold cuts and cheeses cut with the Creative Cutters? I know my kids will eat about anything if it is in cute shapes.

My kids also love their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut with the cookie cutters from the Kid's Cookie Making set.

For something like a class party, you could use the Mini Muffin Pan to make treats. They would be smaller than regular sized cupcakes.

 

[Chef Michelle D]

Banana Bread, Apple Bread, blueberrie muffins. When I was young my mom had a recipe for granola bars that were homemade (I wish I had the recipe now).

I like the idea of healthy snacks but I agree they are pushing it with no holiday/birthday cupcakes.

 

[ChefTotsy]

Thank you all SO much!! I have printed this page!! Now maybe "MY" school year wont be stressful. I try to change things up, but phew!! LOL! I am positive this is a good change and will be good for my family too. I plan to send extra snacks too, I just cant stand the idea of a child hungry.

Oh, no cokes or sprites on party days either......fruit juice or teas only (and water)!!

 

[Paige Dixon]

If they allow any sweets at all, you could do a caramel dip for fruit or chocolate-dipped strawberries.
Muffins are easy and always a hit.
Somewhere I have a recipe for a yummy cracker spread- it's tuna with cream cheese, I think there's cumin in there, too.
Lemonade is an easy beverage. Some schools will only allow "clear" beverages (non-staining) like apple juice or lemondade.
There's the easy stand-by of baby carrots and ranch dip, or pretzels with ranch dip. I wish our school would have rules like that! (soccer, too!)

 

[DebbieSAChef]

Fruit and moreThere are lots of ways to dress up fruit and make it appealing to kids without letting them get bored or ask for something else.
I have a PC recipe for kids that is simple.
Sugar cookie
Strawberrie cream cheese
Strawberries or bananas or both as toppings

Also you could try Jello, it's a big hit with kids. I usually put fruit in mine, it's sugar free! My kids love it with a dollop of whipped cream. And don't forget jigglers with our cute creative cutter set!

My kids love the monkey bread (biscuts) with cinammon, pecans and brown sugar.

Debbie