When my son started Kindergarden I thought I was very prepared. I’d read books, asked questions, studied the school … I felt very enabled with knowledge. However, there was one area that was a complete mystery – one that was no one ever told me about.
School snacks.
I really had no idea that my child would need a snack DURING the school day. We didn’t do that when I was in school, and my kids had been in daycare their entire life. All of their snacks and meals had been provided … I was lost.
Throughout the past two years I’ve come up with some ideas, but I’m always looking for more. They seem stale to me, so I know that they have to be stale to the kids. Here’s what we have been serving:
Carrot sticks
String Cheese
Pretzels
Go-Gurt
Sun Chips
Ritz Bits
Small Apple
Graham Crackers
Applesauce
Granola Bars
Fruit by the Foot
100 Calorie Packs (various)
Goldfish
Every day, I also send a juice box or a juice pouch although the kids have told me that other parents don’t. I can’t imagine serving a snack and no drink.
I’m hoping (1) to help other parents put a snack list together and (2) get your feedback on other foods that I can add. I’m wanting to be more intentional about our snacks this year – actually adding them to our meal plan. The last two years, I’ve been horrible about grabbing the first thing I see, throwing it in the bag, and hoping we make it to school on time. Here’s to doing better! 🙂
Share your ideas in the comment section!
Steph, I am with you! No one warned me about the Kinder snacks either. My son who was in Kinder last year is very picky and we seemed to still make it out ok with the snacks. I will say that our school doesn’t allow a drink with the snack but does allow a child to have a water bottle with them at all times in the class so i just made it a point to pack his Sigg each day with water. Here are a few adds to your list:
-Snack sticks/breadsticks with that cheese for dipping, though my son just liked the breadsticks!
-Apples (washed and whole)
-Grapes
-Club brand crackers
-Cheerios! He loved these! I would occasionally mix it up with a few chocolate cherrios for a treat!
-Popcorn –by far his fave! i bought the $1.99 bag of popcorn at whole foods which was organic and very healthy but tastes great!
-Crunchy Snap Peas – again a Whole Foods find …they’re actually salad toppers but great chip-like snacks that my kids love!
-Chex mix
-Tortillas! yes, once my mom was in town and had made them homemade so I packed him a small one!
-Raisins
~Candy @ Mommypalooza.com
Being a kindergarten teacher, I see a lot of different snacks throughout the year. Most of what I see in the classroom is on your list. Some other things that kids would bring is cereal(like cheerios), trail mix, raisins, teddy grahams, fruit snacks, grapes, animal crackers and one little boy brought a pop tart everyday. Thankfully our classroom is right by a water fountain so the students are able to get water if they do not bring water from home.