Always picking up ravenous kids from school? Let your child take responsibility for their own hunger with these easy yet satisfying snacks.
English Muffin Pizzas
Let your kids customize their own mini pizzas for an easy snack that only takes about 15 minutes to make.
Ingredients
English Muffin
Tomato sauce
Shredded cheese of choice
Favorite pizza toppings
Help your child to preheat the oven to 350 Degrees F. Using a fork, have your child split the English Muffin in half. Using a fork helps to keep the texture of the English Muffin intact, and is also safer for little hands than using a knife.
Let your child spread tomato sauce on the English Muffin halves using a spoon. Next, have your child apply cheese and pizza toppings to their liking. Bake in the oven until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 10 minutes.
Homemade Smoothie Popsicles
The fruit in these popsicles gives them a sweetness that kids love, while the protein in the Greek yogurt and milk will help keep tummies full until dinner. Have your child make these the day before so they’ll be ready when they get home from school.
Ingredients
½ cup milk
1 cup Greek yogurt
2 cups fruit of choice (try mixed berries, peaches or mango, and orange)
Have your child measure out each of the ingredients, placing them into the blender. Ensuring the lid is secure on the blender, blend until smooth. Pour mixture into Popsicle molds. If you don’t have Popsicle molds, you can use a small juice cup with a Popsicle stick. Add leftover unblended fruit pieces to Popsicle mixture if desired. Place in the freezer for at least 2 to 3 hours. When ready to eat, remove from Popsicle mold. Run the mold under warm water if necessary.
Peanut Butter and Granola Apples
Apples are an excellent source of fibre, but plain apple pieces are often boring. This snack adds flavor and crunch with nutritious peanut butter and granola. Slice the apples for your kids if necessary, and let them handle the rest.
Ingredients
Apple, cut into wedges
Peanut butter, or other nut butter
Granola
Mini chocolate chips (optional)
Using a spoon or butter knife, coat the tops of the apple slices with peanut butter. Sprinkle granola over the apple wedges so it sticks to the peanut butter. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips (if using).
DIY Trail Mix
This DIY Trail Mix is easy enough for kids of all ages. It makes a great on-the-go snack if your child has after-school activities to get to. Allow your child to explore the bulk options at the store to create their own trail mix.
Ingredients
Nuts of choice (cashews, almonds and peanuts are favorites!)
Seeds (try sunflower or pumpkin)
Dried fruit of choice
Sweets (try M&Ms, chocolate chips or chocolate covered raisins)
Extras (shredded coconut, popcorn, cereal, pretzels, sea salt, spices)
To make a big batch, place ingredients in plastic container. Place lid on and shake to mix. Store in covered plastic container. To make individual portions, have kids place their ingredients of choice in a plastic baggie, shaking to combine.
Trail Mix Suggestions
Tropical: Almonds, macadamia nuts, banana chips, dried pineapple, dried mango and coconut flakes.
Sweet & Salty: Peanuts, cashews, pretzels, M&Ms, raisins and pumpkin seeds.
S’mores: Popcorn, Golden Grahams cereal, mini marshmallows and chocolate chips.
Janelle is a freelance writer and psychology student based in Delta, BC.
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