Snacks can make up 20 percent of your child's nutrient needs, according to Education.com. Instead of turning to unhealthy foods that can slow your child and add unnecessary calories, fat or sodium to his diet, have nutritious snack options available at all times. Before age 5, your child is doing a lot of growing and developing. He needs healthy snacks to provide energy and nutrients.
Fruit
Fruit contains fiber that can help provide your child with energy, as well as antioxidants and important vitamins and nutrients. You can make fruit a fun snack by freezing 100 percent fruit juice into fruit bars or making fruit smoothies. Offer your child applesauce, cut pieces of melon or fruit mixed with cottage cheese or yogurt.
Vegetables
Vegetables are also a source of fiber; they can contain nutrients such as vitamin C and folic acid. You can offer your child carrot sticks, celery sticks, strips of green peppers and asparagus spears with ranch dressing. Spread a light layer of peanut butter on celery sticks and sprinkle with raisins to combine vegetables, protein and fruit in one snack.
Grains and Dairy
Grains can provide your child with energy and help her feel full before it's time for her next meal, and dairy is a source of calcium necessary for strong bones. Offer granola bars or hummus with pita bread. You can also offer whole wheat crackers topped with cheese, peanut butter or fruit preserves. Whole wheat bread with peanut butter or egg salad makes a healthy quick snack as well. Offer baked chips or string cheese.
Considerations
For children younger than 5, avoid offering snacks that can be choking hazards -- such as sunflower seeds, nuts, popcorn, whole grapes or candies. If you give your child peanut butter as a snack, make sure it's spread in a thin layer. Supervise him while he eats.
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