Providing healthy school lunches and snacks is essential for your child’s growth and development. But we understand that finding healthy food for kids that keeps them happy and satisfied can be challenging for parents, caregivers, and teachers alike.
Here at Kiwigarden, we believe healthy snacks for kids don’t need to be boring! Whether for kindergarten-goers and preschoolers or older kids, we’ve found a way to jam flavour and nutrition into our packaged snacks that will keep them coming back for more.
But, what else can provide extra nutrition to your child’s diet between meals? We’ve got some great ideas for you to get started in creating healthy recipes at home!
Yoghurt drops
Kids love to eat Kiwigarden’s yummy yoghurt drops. Choose from a wide range of NZ-grown fruit options, including banana, gold kiwi, berries, and passionfruit. Or, choose our unique mix of fruit and greek-style natural yoghurt. These healthy school snack ideas have no added sugar and contain probiotics for healthy tummies.
Vegetable snacks
Kiwigarden’s fruit and veggie packets make a great school snack. And, you don’t need to prepare a thing! Simply drop our crunchy Hawke’s Bay apple slices or juicy peas & sweet corn into their lunchboxes. Then, pair them with any other healthy school snacks below for long-lasting stamina inside and outside the classroom.
Baked bread or cookies
Baking your own bread, cookies or whole-grain crackers are great food ideas that allow you to add wholesome ingredients. You can create healthy kids’ snacks with dried fruits, seeds and mini chocolate chips. And swap out white flour for almond meal or gluten-free flour. Then, sweeten naturally with over-ripe bananas or raw honey.
Muffins and scones with a twist
Muffins and scones make a great school snack! For example, you can bake delicious savoury snack cakes such as zucchini and egg muffins or parmesan cheese scones. Packed with healthy veggies and protein, they are an excellent healthy breakfast snack. Or, satisfy their sweet tooth with your favourite scone recipe, and add oats and raisins. Mix in some raw honey for delicious natural sweetness.
Sandwiches and yoghurt
Whole-wheat sandwiches or falafel are the perfect grab-and-go school snack to add to your child’s lunch box. Pack it with their favourite fillings and dab a spoonful of tasty, healthy dip such as hummus. For example, try a fresh cucumber and greek yoghurt dip, which is high in vitamin B12. Change up the flavours regularly for a tasty snack that your kids will enjoy eating.
Fruit smoothies
Fruit smoothies can be sweet and creamy—just like milkshakes— but they’re hearty enough to make a great snack. First, add a cup of fresh fruit juice (no added sugar), water, or nut milk to the blender. Then, find whatever fruit you have on hand, like berries, bananas, pineapples, and coconut. Finally, sneak in some spinach and a scoop of plant-based protein powder or raw cacao before sweetening with raw honey. Now, you have delicious, sugar-free drinks on the go with a boost of nutrition.
Hard-boiled eggs with vegetables
Boiled eggs are healthy foods for kids because they’re jam-packed with health benefits to maintain daily fitness. They’re great for brain and eye health, strengthening bones and muscles, boosting iron levels and improving memory. Combine one or two eggs with your child’s favourite veg, such as carrot sticks, celery or sliced cucumber.
Baked sweet potato fries
Most kids love conventional french fries! And sweet potatoes are a kid-approved, much healthier substitute. Add dried herbs, coconut oil and sea salt to the sweet potato fries before baking or air-frying. Then, serve snacks with a homemade or healthy store-bought dipping sauce for a flavour explosion.
Chocolate energy balls
Chocolate energy balls are a quick and healthy snack that can include so many important nutrients for your child. You can get creative with your recipe! Add raw cacao, sprouted seeds, raw nuts, dried fruit, almond meal, peanut butter, rolled oats, desiccated coconut and raw honey. Divide into portions, place in resealable bags and store them in the refrigerator or freezer.
Peanut butter and banana quesadillas
This sweetened take on classic quesadillas makes for a light but hearty school snack your kids will love! Use homemade peanut butter or store-bought with reduced salt and sugar, and smooth it on whole-wheat toast, a tortilla or pita bread. Add banana slices and a pinch of cinnamon to one half. Fold the pita or tortilla over to make a quesadilla, and grill lightly on each side.
Shop with Kiwigarden
As you can see, healthy snack ideas don’t need to be dull and flavourless! When you create these snack recipes for your child, you’ll provide their growing body with the nutrients they need. You might even be tempted to add them to your own lunches for work! We’re sure your child will be looking forward to the next snack time!
Shop online with Kiwigarden for nutritious nibbles made from the freshest New Zealand ingredients. Get free shipping on all NZ orders over $35, and pay just $9.50 for orders to Australia over $50.
