Homeschool Snack Hacks: 4 Genius Ways to Keep Kids Happy & Healthy
“Mom, Can I Have a Snack?” – How to Manage the Endless Snack Requests
One of the most common phrases I’ve heard as a mom is, “Can I have a snack?” If I had a dollar for every time I heard those words, I could hire a private chef! Of course, we all know that our children are growing rapidly right before our eyes, and they need snacks for nourishment (or for a little motivation). Still, there are so many snack options available, healthy and not-so-healthy, and it can become overwhelming to keep up with the constant demand for snacks. We also want to be able to provide nutritious snacks for our children as often as possible.
I quickly noticed that the demand for snacks grew significantly once we started homeschooling five years ago. My children began asking for snacks multiple times daily for many reasons. One reason was that the kitchen was right next to our classroom (the dining room), so the possibilities for snack time were endless! My children were excited about this aspect of homeschooling. I realized then that we needed to put more effort into buying and making healthy snacks.
Here are four things I did to ensure that snack time would be something that could just flow with our daily schedule in a healthy and thoughtful way:
1. I Did a Little Research
At a certain point, I turned to Pinterest for inspiration. I typed in “healthy snack ideas for kids” and found plenty of ideas. There are so many wonderful recipes and visuals to help you make, buy, and organize healthy snacks. One site I found especially helpful was Oh Happy Joy, which offers great snack suggestions.
2. I Bought a Snack Shelf – A Gamechanger!
This was a lifesaver! My big kids (13, 14, and 15) are all close in age. When they were toddlers, we made sure everyone had the exact same snack to avoid frustration and perceived favoritism. Everyone had the same snack and amount of fruit cut the same way. It just made it easier for all of us. Though they’re older now, we still implement this principle to avoid arguments (a win is a win, right?).
I purchased a snack shelf to distribute snacks evenly, ensuring each child gets the same amount. Nothing more, nothing less. They can eat their snacks when they feel hungry, but once their bin is empty, they must wait until it’s refilled or opt for a piece of fruit from the fridge. Here’s something similar to what I purchased.
3. I Involved My Children in the Snack Planning
I made it a point to ask my children what they wanted for snacks. Some of their favorites included chips, yogurt, popcorn, granola, fruit, Clif Bars, pretzels, fruit snacks, crackers, and smoothies. This helped me shop intentionally.
I like to rotate some staples and some specialty items from time to time to keep things interesting. We’ve also made some changes along the way—cutting out Goldfish and gummy fruit snacks, for example, after our dentist warned that they contribute to cavities (who knew?!).
4. We Keep It Fun!
I started a back-to-school tradition of making a charcuterie board on the first day of school. It’s something we all look forward to! We get creative and include cheeses, deli meats, nuts, fruits, and a little bit of chocolate or M&Ms for balance. I try to avoid anything sticky like caramel and fruit snacks, especially now since the Big Kids have braces.
My kids also love baking muffins and experimenting with our mini waffle iron, using protein waffle mix (and cake mix on special occasions). Here’s the mini waffle iron they love to use.
Closing Thoughts
Now that our big kids are older and we also have a four-year-old, healthy snacks remain a big part of our lives. But after years of trial and error, we feel like experts! I love seeing my kids create snack plates (mini charcuterie boards) and help their little sister explore healthy food options
Snack time doesn’t have to be a constant battle or a source of stress—it can be a fun, organized, and nourishing part of your homeschool routine! By planning ahead, involving your kids, and keeping things simple yet exciting, you can turn snack time into something that works for everyone. After all, happy, well-fed kids make for a much smoother homeschooling experience!
If you’d like to continue the discussion and talk about fun yet healthy homeschool snacks, I invite you to join me and other parents at our Homeschool Connections Community or our Facebook group.
Editor’s Note: To explore a similar topic, see Homeschooling and Meal Planning.
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