The traditional image of the post-school hour is children skipping home to enjoy a glass of cold milk and some fresh-from-the-oven cookies. The reality is, most of us moms spend our days working at a job, running errands, or volunteering at our kids’ schools. The kids don’t walk or skip home – we pick them up or they go to an after-care program. And unless you just enjoy baking, your kids may only have fresh-from-the-oven cookies after you buy frozen cookie dough from the latest school fundraiser.
Does this change in lifestyle mean kids don’t need or want after-school snacks anymore? Absolutely not! Children need to eat every three to four hours to replenish their energy stores. With school lunch hours starting as early as 10:30 in some schools, your kids are likely to be famished by the time they get home from school.
Here are some ideas for easy, healthy after-school snacks for millennial moms:
- Mini-pizzas made on English muffins or bagels. Your kids will even enjoy making this snack themselves.
- Yogurt
- A bowl of cereal
- Fruit or fruit smoothies
- Fresh veggies
- Trail mix
- String cheese or cheese cubes
- Tortilla chips and salsa
- Popcorn
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Cheese quesadilla
- Low-fat granola bars
Most kids will snack all afternoon if you let them, and then won’t be hungry for dinner. Time your child’s snack so it won’t be too close to dinner. If you eat at 6:00, cut off the snacking at 4:00. Or if your kids are super-famished after school, eat earlier and let them have a snack before bedtime.
If you feel guilty for not providing your child with warm cookies after school, just remember those cookies aren’t the healthiest snack around anyway. A healthy snack and warm conversation are what your children really need after school.
What are some healthy after-school snack ideas for kids?
Good options include mini-pizzas on English muffins or bagels, yogurt, fruit or fruit smoothies, fresh veggies, trail mix, string cheese or cheese cubes, tortilla chips and salsa, popcorn, hard-boiled eggs, cheese quesadillas, and low-fat granola bars. The goal is something easy that bridges the gap between lunch and dinner without spoiling their appetite.
Why do kids need an after-school snack?
Children need to eat every three to four hours to replenish their energy. When school lunch starts as early as 10:30, kids can be genuinely famished by the time they get home. A snack gives them the energy to focus on homework and play — and prevents the cranky crash that comes with a long gap between lunch and a late dinner.
How close to dinner should I allow after-school snacking?
Time the snack so it does not crowd out dinner. If your family eats at 6:00, cut off snacking by 4:00. If your kids come home very hungry, consider eating dinner a bit earlier and allowing a lighter snack before bedtime instead, so both needs are met without one canceling the other.
Do kids really need after-school snacks, or is it just a habit?
It is a genuine nutritional need, not just habit. Kids are growing and active, and a gap of five or more hours between lunch and dinner is too long for most children to go without fuel. A healthy after-school snack supports focus, mood, and energy — making those post-school hours smoother for the whole family.
