A lot of time cafeteria food just isn’t a child’s cup of tea and by the time they get finished crunching numbers and reciting the alphabet they’ve worked up a pretty good appetite. If you’re not careful, after school snacking can destroy your child’s appetite for dinner and leave you spending a lot of money on food that isn’t really necessary. There’s a few ways to cut down on the amount you spend on snacking foods though. With a few simple base ideas to get you started your kids will be full enough to power through their homework and some play time while still allowing space for a healthy dinner. So, avoid the prepacked food aisle and check out these simple and cheap ideas for your child’s after school snacking needs.
1. Quesadilla
If you’re looking for cheap, easy and quick then the quesadilla is the way to go! Your kids won’t be able to resist the cheesy taste, or cheese replacement if they’re lactose intolerant. The best thing about this snack is it can be eaten on the go which is perfect for afternoons filled with activities. As far as price goes, all you need is some tortillas and your choice of cheese. If you buy these items in bulk then you’ll save even more money. These snacks are perfect when your kids have friends over after school as it will only take two or 3 tortillas to satisfy everyone’s snacking needs. If you want to mix it up then add a dipping sauce like salsa or ranch. These snacks can be made more filling by adding extra ingredients like meats or vegetables. Try to utilize leftovers to make it more cost efficient though. You may also want to consider filling the tortillas with cinnamon and fruit for a sweeter alternative. This snack can even be made a little lighter by cutting it into small pieces on nights you’re planning bigger dinners.
2. Leftover Surprise
We all end up with leftovers that we know aren’t going to get eaten, so why not put them to good use in your kids’ snacks. There’s a lot you can do with leftovers so think out of the box to find a solution for the items in your fridge. One great trick is to take leftover mashed potatoes and fry them up. They will develop a crispy crust that kids will enjoy eating. You can even make it fun by cutting up the potato and adding toothpicks for age appropriate kids. If you have meatloaf or other meaty meals in the fridge then turn them into a mini burrito or finger sandwich. Kids will love eating these tiny foods and may even request the leftover version of the food for dinner. Another way to get rid of leftovers fast is to come up with leftover nachos. Simply sprinkle a few chips on a tray, add your leftover to the top and bake for a short time. Kids will be enthused with the new idea and you’ll get rid of so many leftovers that would otherwise go bad. Another kid friend design is the spaghetti taco. Grab a taco shell and add your leftover pasta meal to the inside. You may even be able to get kids to add some vegetables to the top of this treat!
3. Smoothie Magic
If there’s one way to get your kids to eat fruits and vegetables its via smoothie. You can easily mix up a few treats before you pick them up from school if they’re picky eaters. However, if your kids embrace the healthy eating them let them come up with their own recipes. This is a great way to teach kids about nutrition and will help them gain a knowledge of what foods go with what. Smoothies are perfect on a warm day and are amazing when you have lots of after school activities. You can easily use produce you already have in the house, but if you plan on making smoothies frequently then make sure to shop for items in season and buy in bulk when you can. You can always freeze items you know you won’t be using any time soon. If you don’t want to give your children too much of a snack then pre-make some smoothies and freeze them in an ice tray for popsicles everyone will enjoy.
4. Get Fruity
Fruit is full of vitamins and nutrients that kids need to grow big and strong. Fortunatly, most kids actually enjoy eating fruit which is good news for parents looking for snacking ideas that stay within a balanced diet. Although most kids are content with eating fruit by itself there are a few simple ways you can mix things up to keep the fruit snack a little fresh. Freezing grapes is a fun way to provide a cool snack on hot days. Kids will love the texture change as much as they enjoy the taste. Plus, you’ll also be able to keep this seasonal fruit for longer which will save a whole lot of money when it goes out of season. You might also want to consider cutting fruits into fun shapes. This is great for younger kids and will make them feel special. To make the fruit shapes even more fun try adding a peanut butter or yogurt dip to the mix. You may want to try different fruit salad recipes to make the after school snacking even more tasty.
5. Trail Style
Whether you’re on the road a lot after school or your kids love to snack while doing homework, a simple trail mix will make their snacking even more fun. There’s a lot of expensive pre-packaged trail mixes on the market, but you should avoid these as they tend to be rather expensive. Instead, make your own trail mix at home. There’s a lot of recipes online you can try, but it is easy enough just to whip up your own mix to your child’s taste. If the kids are old enough then you could enlist them to help with the snacking process. You can add just about anything to your mixes, but try to keep it healthy. Baked crackers and pretzels are favored by kids, but also add in nuts and dried fruits. On occasion you might consider adding chocolates as a special treat. These mixes can be put in ziplocks for easy access or for a secure place to hold them while in the car!
6. Yogurt
One way to help your kids maintain a healthy digestive system while ensuring they get the nutrients they need is to feed them yogurt. This treat can be tasty on its own but you can also dress it up with granola, fruits and sweets on occasion. You should be careful of the packaged yogurts you find in the store though. Most of these are filled with sugar and will cause your kids to gain weight or have way too much energy. To ensure they’re getting a good yogurt check the labels and look at sugar content. You should also look for artificial sweeteners which can be terrible for the children. To avoid a lot of the problems with yogurt and to save some money you may want to create your own. There’s a lot of recipes online that are simple to follow and will change the way you think about yogurt. If kids aren’t crazy about eating the treat often then add some fruit or granola and freeze it for a creamy popsicle.
7. Eggs
Let’s face it, when it comes to nutrition eggs are at the top of the list, which is why they make a great snack for kids. Eggs are filled with protein and have been known to help kids brains work even better, which is why you should load your kids up on this treat before they do their homework. Eggs are incredibly cheap to buy at just about any store and are fast to whip up. The best thing is, you can do a whole lot with the egg to make them tastier than ever. Try adding cheese and salsa for a south of the border treat, or use sour cream and chives. Eggs can be thrown into a burrito or sandwich for a meal on the go to. If your kids are especially a fan of the egg then try them on an egg salad sandwich, omelet or frittata. You can custom your eggy snacks to suit your kids likes and dislikes too, so don’t be afraid to think out of the box with this snack.
8. Pizza
Your kids will jump for joy when they hear they’re having pizza as a snack. Pizza is really one of the easiest and fastest ways to treat your kids to some delicious foods after school. This snack is particularly good to make when you have leftover french bread and spaghetti sauce after Italian night. Simply smear some sauce on the bread and add toppings and you’re ready to go. If you don’t have french bread then its easy to whip up a no yeast pizza dough before the kids come home from school. Of course, if you want faster and easier then use some biscuit dough from your favorite brand or from scratch. Pizza snacks are a great way to get rid of some of your leftovers too and will help keep the price of snacking down while still making it appeasing to the kids. If you don’t have any leftovers that will work for pizza then try fruits for a sweeter treat.
9. Seeds
Although seeds are good for the youngest members of the household, most school age children should be able to enjoy them without a problem. Seeds are packed with nutrients and offer a fun way for kids to snack. You can make your own seeds at home by backing flavors onto them or you can look for them in the grocery store. One of the best things about seeds is pretty soon you’ll be looking for a pumpkin for Halloween. This will provide you a great opportunity to stock up on some pumpkin seeds so you can store them away for the rest of the year. Seeds can be very inexpensive if you know when are where to shop for them, so if you’re not sure ask around. They’re also a great way to keep kids appetite down before dinner without feeding them too many calories. Seeds are definitely a food your kids will enjoy while working on their homework.
10. Popcorn
What kid doesn’t like popcorn? This is one of the fastest snacks that will appease kids of all ages. Store bought popcorn tends to be a bad choice though, so if you can try to avoid it. These bags are filled with salts and sugars that kids don’t need before a meal time. Instead, try to make your own popcorn over the stove or in a popcorn maker. You can cheaply by the supplies in bulk so you will always have them ready for your kids snacking needs. You can also apply your own flavorings to the popcorn to keep the snack appetizing and to suit each child’s taste buds. Homemade popcorn is lower in calories so your kids won’t have a lot of extra calories in their system. It is also an easy treat to give out while the kids are doing homework or in between weekly activities.
After school snacking doesn’t have to be hard on you or your budget. With these simple starters the world of snacks will be a fun place to experiment for both you and your kids. Pretty soon your children will have their own favorites and you won’t have to clip extra coupons to create them!
