How to Create a Healthy Self-Serve Snack Drawer for Kids
Are your kids constantly asking for snacks? Or burning through your snack stash at a rapid rate? Try creating a healthy snack drawer, for them to help themselves to during the day. They love the independence of choosing their own snack, and parents’ can put in the things they want their kids to eat.
Spending a little time building out a snack drawer each week will:
Save you money – buy in bulk and portion the snacks out, plus purchase less pre-packaged snacks
Save you time – instead of spending time throughout the day rummaging in the fridge or cupboard for snacks, they will be ready to grab-and-go
Save the environment – use reusable snack bagsand yoghurt pouches, and make your own baked snacks and your single-use plastic use will be minimized
Here are our tips for creating an enticing drawer of healthy snacks.
Keep it simple – no need to get fancy, just chop up some fruit and veggies, and mix them together for a colourful option.
Change up the selections each week to ensure variety.
Keep portions small – kids are more likely to grab a veggie snack if it’s not too big and overwhelming.
Spice it up with dips – have a dip or two available to pair with the veggies (or fruit!). Kids love dipping!
Have the drawer in a convenient and easily accessible location. A clear container works well so they can see what’s inside. One in the fridge and one in the pantry works well.
Use reusable bags – stock up on reusable snack bags like these so you can rinse and reuse them, reducing waste.
50 simple ideas to include in a healthy snack drawer:
Fruit
Berries – blueberries, strawberries, raspberries
Melon – cubes of rockmelon or watermelon
Grapes – mix up colours
Pineapple chunks
Sliced apples (pre-soaked in lemon water to stop browning)
Slices or segments of orange
Cherries
Peeled mandarin segments
Dried fruit – apricots, apples, prunes
Sultanas – boxes or buy in bulk and portion out
Dried coconut or banana chips
Fruit leather
Vegetables
Baby carrots or carrot sticks
Sliced cucumber or baby cucumbers
Slices of capsicum or baby capsicum
Baby corn
Cherry tomatoes
Celery sticks
Raw or pre-steamed broccoli or cauliflower
Corn cobs
Sugar snap or snow peas
Raw mushroom slices
Protein
Hummus dip
Yoghurt in reusable pouches
Small containers of nut butter for dipping
Hard boiled eggs
Edamame beans
Cubes of cheese
Nut mix – cashews, peanuts, walnuts
Seeds – pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds
Trail mix – combination of nuts, seeds and dried fruit
Protein bars – homemade or store bought
Roasted chickpeas
Homemade low-sugar custard in reusable pouches
Frittata/egg cups
Beef jerky
Wholegrain/Carbohydrates
Popcorn
Whole grain crackers
Granola
Muesli bars
Bliss balls
Homemade mini muffins
Pikelets
Scrolls
Wholegrain cereal
Corn chips
Pretzels
Wholegrain rice crackers
Oat bars
Low sugar homemade cookies
This idea isn't just for kids - the whole family will snack better when you have easy options to grab and go! I'd love to know if you do this or are inspired to start - let me know over on Instagramor Facebook!
