Try These Snacks on Your Kids

I am constantly being tugged on by little hands and pleaded at for snacks by the boys throughout the day. Typically we will grab something small, but nutritious, around 10am and maybe something small to tide us over again around 2:30. With the idea of snacking so much throughout the day, it is important to me to supply my kids with healthy and smart options. I was starting to run low on new ideas, however, and I went searching the web for some fresh ideas to add to our ol' stand-bys. Here is an accumulation of options I have used and some new ones I found that you might want to try out on your kids next time they come a' askin'.

- sliced and cored apples (served with peanut butter, cheese or carmel dip)
- peeled and sliced oranges or grapefruit
- bananas (we like our cut into wheels for a little fun)
- grapes (fresh or frozen)
- lightly salted popcorn
- mini bagels (spread with jelly, peanut butter or cream cheese)
- homemade muffins (store bought are just too high in fat, preservatives, etc)
- dried fruit and nut mix
- breadsticks
- homemade sweet breads (pumpkin, banana, zucchini, apple, etc)
- crackers and cheese
- hard-boiled eggs
- carrots (plain or with ranch dressing)
- celery sticks spread with peanut butter
- cherry tomatoes
- cucumbers
- homemade pickles
- cheese
- all-natural fruit leather
- homemade cookies (try healthier options like oatmeal craisin, etc)
- pudding (homemade banana pudding is a personal favorite or ours)
- yogurt popsicles
- homemade granola bars
- beef jerky
- pretzels
- tortillas spread with cream cheese and finely chopped veggies (roll up)
- yogurt with granola
- homemade smoothies
- homemade milk shakes
- bread or toast (spread with jelly, peanut butter, honey or honey butter)
- crackers (spread with jelly or peanut butter)
- leftover pancake spread with peanut butter and honey (roll up)
- animal crackers
- pickled peaches or pineapples

I'd love to hear any additional ideas that you might have to add to my list, we are always looking to try something new. Please share!