School snack time can be a bit tricky to navigate—especially in preschool programs that are only a couple of hours long. Many times, snack time is meant to be more of a socialization activity rather than an opportunity for nourishment (i.e., it doesn’t last very long!). There’s lots to pack into a school day after all!
So, what’s the best strategy for snack time, especially if your school requests healthy packaged kids’ snacks? Look for foods that are easy to eat, come in individual portions, and pack some nutrition punch. This means checking out the nutrition facts label for roughly 2-3 grams of protein and fiber, low added sugars, as well as simple ingredients.
The bonus of packaged kids’ snacks is ease. Whether you’re grabbing a bunch for youth sports snacks or your kid’s lunch box, hopefully, you can grab a few of the suggestions below to have on hand to help make getting your child out the door a little less stressful.
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Nut-Free / Allergy-Friendly Snacks
MadeGood Granola Minis
These granola minis are tasty and made with schools in mind—they are nut-free! Additionally, they keep your little one’s belly full with 2 grams of fiber as well as 2 grams of protein. Popular flavors include chocolate chip and mixed berry.
Skout Organic Kids Snack Bars
I love that these snack bars come in a ton of flavors (many nut-free) and can be ordered via a build-your-own subscription on their website. Depending on the flavor, they contain roughly 2-4 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber.
Happy Wolf Bars
Made from simple, real-food ingredients, Happy Wolf bars are as delicious as they are nutritious! They come in four flavors and are top-allergen free, making them perfect to grab and go for school.
Cerebelly Smart Bars
All of Cerebelly’s products are designed to support your little one’s rapidly developing brain—including these smart bars! They contain an impressive amount of nutrients and an ingredient list packed with real foods, as well as 3 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber to keep your kiddo full. Check out all four flavors!
Go Raw Sprouted Snacking Seeds
These snacking seeds are the perfect alternative to crunchy nuts for nut-free schools. They contain simple ingredients—just seeds and spices—as well as 4-6 grams of protein per serving depending on the flavor.
High-Protein Packaged Snacks
Mozzarella String Cheese
Though this snack has to be kept cool, it’s a super-filling option if you have a kiddo that tends to get hungry at school. Each stick contains 7 grams of protein and no added sugar. Plus, who doesn’t have fun eating string cheese?
Mini CHOMPS Beef Sticks
These beef sticks are the perfect size for a preschooler and are mild in flavor (i.e., not spicy). They are packed with protein and contain no added sugar. Sometimes, they are a bit tricky to open, so try making a small cut in the package before sending it to school.
The GFB Protein Bites
Looking for a gluten-free snack option? These protein bites fit the bill. With 7 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber per serving, they will keep your child full and focused. They come in two additional flavors.
Whisps Cheese Crisps
For the cheese lover in your life! These cheese crisps are made with 100 percent real cheese and have the most satisfying crunch. They are a good source of protein and can be paired with fruit for a kid-sized charcuterie snack and are available in bulk at Costco.
Seven Sundays Cereal Snackies
These cereal snacks are powered by plants and give your little one the energy they need to stay focused at school. They contain 3 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber per serving and have a delicious sweet taste thanks to wildflower honey.
MUSH Protein Bars
Made from whole grain oats and rich in fiber, these protein bars are sure to keep your kiddo full throughout the school day. Find them in the refrigerated section of the grocery store (which means they’ll need an ice pack if including in school lunches), and consider splitting them in half for younger kids.
Crunchy Snacks & Chips
Siete Tortilla Chips
Siete’s grain-free tortilla chips are deliciously crunchy and are sure to be a hit with your kids. I love their simple ingredient list as well as the 3 grams of filling fiber every bag contains.
Kindling Pretzels
If your kiddo can’t get enough of crunchy snacks, they are sure to love these reimagined pretzels! They are made with whole grains, packed with protein, and come in a variety of flavors sure to please even the most discerning snackers.
Simple Mills Farmhouse Cheddar Crackers
Crackers for kiddos who truly love cheese! Not only will they keep them full with 3 grams of plant-based protein, but they also taste amazing. Additionally, Simple Mills’ signature nut and seed blend adds nutrition to these crackers by providing important micronutrients like iron and potassium.
Harvest Snaps Baked Green Pea Snacks
A crunchy snack that doubles as veggies? Where do we sign up?! These baked green pea snacks taste great and include 5 grams of filling plant-based protein. They also come in a handful of different flavors to keep snacking fun.
Skinny Pop Popcorn
What’s more fun to eat than popcorn? This whole-grain snack (yes, corn is a whole grain!) contains 2 grams of fiber per serving and has no added sugar. Keep in mind popcorn is a choking hazard for kids under 4 years old, so skip this snack for preschoolers.
Cedar’s Hommus Grab N Go Snack Packs
Kids love to dip their food, and these snack packs make it so easy for them to do so! They come in a variety of flavors, pairing a crunchy snack like pretzels or corn chips with hommus dip. Don’t sleep on the chocolate hommus flavor!
Fruit-based Snacks
BEAR Real Fruit Snack Rolls
These fruit snacks are made with a few simple ingredients, including mostly real fruit. They offer tummy-filling fiber and come with fun animal trading cards. There are also a variety of flavors available.
Solely Fruit Jerky
This fruit jerky contains, you guessed it, just fruit—and comes in a ton of different tropical-inspired flavors. The spicy mango and mango guava are personal favorites! These are delicious on their own and pair easily with nuts or cheese for a more protein-packed snack.
That’s It. Fruit Bars
These fruit bars come in a variety of flavors, so there is sure to be at least one your kid enjoys. They are simply made with dried fruit and are a great way to include more fiber in your child’s day.
Dairy & Refrigerated Snacks
Dairy-Free Smoothie Pouch
These dairy-free smoothie pouches are cold-pressed to preserve nutrients and, more importantly, are incredibly delicious. They have no added sugar, 2 grams of fiber, and coconut milk provides satisfying fat.
Stoneyfield Yogurt Pouch
Pouches are a great way for your child to reap all the health benefits of yogurt with minimal mess. These Stoneyfield pouches contain 5 grams of protein and are made with whole milk, making them extra filling.
Chobani Yogurt Drinks
With flavors like strawberries and cream and tropical punch, these yogurt drinks taste like a cross between a smoothie and a milkshake. Definitely kid-approved! They need to be kept cold but are a great way to boost protein throughout the day. These can be high-protein (more than many kids need in a serving!), so stick to the 10-15 gram drinks or split the container into 2 servings.
FAQs
Safe snacks for nut-free schools include cheese sticks, pretzels, and popcorn. You also can’t go wrong with fresh fruits and vegetables! On this list, some of our favorites are cheddar crackers, fruit bars, and yogurt drinks.
Ideally, parents should aim for their kids’ snacks to have less than 10g of added sugar per serving. This should help your kids stay below the recommended maximum amount of added sugar per day: 25g.
Check the nutrition facts label for roughly 2-3 grams of protein and fiber, low added sugars (less than 10g), as well as simple ingredients. Try to avoid products where sugar, corn syrup, or refined flours lead the list—however, a little treat every once in a while isn’t a bad thing!
For most kids, one or two snacks paired with their lunch should be enough to get them through the day. However, if your child stays for an after-school program or participates in a sport with a high activity level, I’d pack a couple extra for them to have throughout the day—particularly high-protein options!
Hard, crunchy snacks like popcorn, tortilla chips, and pretzels can be choking hazards for children under 4, so we’d recommend avoiding them for preschoolers. Additionally, whole, round snacks like grapes and cherries should always be cut into quarters.
Dana Peters, R.D.
Dana is a writer and registered dietitian specializing in family and kids nutrition living in the Chicago suburbs. From healthy family eating to reliable baby gear to wellness for moms, she has covered it all. She is mom to Charlie and Eva, a wannabe baker, and a farmer’s market enthusiast.
Rebecca Smith, Editorial Assistant
As an Editorial Assistant, Rebecca works with The Everymom team on updating existing content, photo sourcing, pitching original articles, and more. She’s passionate about creating authentic and diverse online content and is thrilled to help women of all ages feel represented.
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