Most kids walk in the door ready for a snack after spending all day in school. An after-school snack plan allows you to serve a quick, healthy snack to fend off your kids' rumbling tummies. Removing the junk food from your home makes it easier to stick with healthy after-school snacks. Healthy foods also give the kids more energy for their after-school activities.
Food Safety
Food allergies can cause severe reactions in a child. Peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs and seafood are among the most common food allergies. Allergies are particularly important to consider if your child invites a friend over for an after-school snack. Checking with the child's parents or avoiding the common allergy foods helps prevent allergic reactions. Cold food items such as yogurt or other dairy-based snacks present a potential food spoilage concern, particularly if you're transporting the snacks to an after-school activity such as sports practice. Keep the food cool until your child eats the snack.
Convenience
The convenience factor is a consideration when planning after-school snacks. This time period is typically busy because the kids are arriving and you're preparing for dinner or other evening activities. Planning an after-school snack schedule for the week makes it easier to handle snack time. Another option is to prepare the snacks ahead of time so your child can eat as soon as she arrives home.
Presentation
Presenting the snacks in a creative way makes everyday snack items seem more appealing. For example, you might use cookie cutters to turn the food into shaped snacks. A special snack plate that the child paints himself provides an ideal presentation option. For on-the-go snacking, plastic containers with lids work well.
Child Preparation
After-school snack time turns into an after-school activity when you allow the child to help with the preparation. Inviting kids into the kitchen teaches them cooking skills they can use throughout life. They also get the chance to practice math skills by measuring ingredients. Picky kids are often more willing to try something if they prepared it themselves.
Snack Ideas
Fruits and vegetables offer a healthy, easy-to-prepare option. A wooden skewer works well to create fruit kabobs. Other ingredients also work for kabobs, such as turkey pieces, cheese and bread chunks. A regular sandwich with your child's favorite fillings is more appealing when cut into pieces with a cookie cutter. Trail mix allows you to add the healthy ingredients you want. Good options include healthy cereal, pretzels, crackers, raisins and dried fruit. Plain popcorn gets a makeover when taco seasoning, Parmesan cheese or other flavorings are added. Miniature pizzas made on English muffins or bagels also work well as an after-school snack.
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