Lifestyle

20 Healthy Summertime Snacks That Kids Love

LifestyleUpdated Jul 6, 2021
By Jess Richardson
plantain chipsiStock

When kids are home for the summer, each day has so many more hours, doesn't it? With the kids are out of school, there's little free time, and also so many more snacks to prepare during the day. It can be daunting, but almost all of these snacks are really, really easy -- so easy that kids who are able to stir can really mix them up for themselves once they're big enough to get stuff from the fridge -- and some of them are so easy, they can just be opened and eaten. But the best part is, all of these are guilt-free treats that kids can enjoy all summer long. We rounded up some amazing, healthy snacks filled with protein, fiber, and vitamins, so kids aren't just snacking mindlessly, they're getting all the good nutrients they need. We wanted to include quite a few seasonal ingredients, too, since summer is such a bounty -- and this is when it's least expensive to buy fresh fruit and vegetables. 

But while this list of snacks is an absolutely great go-to all summer long for the kids, pregnant mamas also need summer snacks. Pregnant moms in summer have a ton to contend with, and staying even remotely cool is definitely one of them -- and snacks absolutely help (although we don't have to be pregnant to enjoy them). New moms also have special snacking needs for those early infant days when we just want something that can be eaten with one hand while we tend to the baby with another (and pretend we're an octopus). Summer days out with toddlers call for on-the-go snacks, but older kids and moms can also indulge. For moms looking for healthy snacks that don't add a lot of calories to a diet, try under 100 calorie snacks to keep things running.

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1/21
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Air-Popped Popcorn
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Air-Popped Popcorn

Yes, buying a popcorn air popper is a bit of an indulgence, but we think it's one of the best things in our kitchen -- because it makes delicious, healthful air-popped popcorn with no added fat! 

Presto PopLite Hot Air Popcorn Popper ($30, Walmart)

2/21
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SeaSnax Chomperz
Amazon

SeaSnax Chomperz

Who knew that kids could get so into seaweed? These snacks are so healthy, low in calories, and full of minerals, while still being totally reasonably priced. We are into the barbecue flavor, but also plain and onion. 

SeaSnax Chomperz ($5, Thrive Market)

3/21
Cucumber Sushi for Kids-placeholder
Cucumber Sushi for Kids
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Cucumber Sushi for Kids

OK, this picture looks pretty extra, but really, this recipe for cucumber sushi for kids is just slicing up a cucumber and stuffing it full of tuna salad -- a tasty, healthy, protein-packed treat that kids can snack on.

4/21
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Fresh Strawberries & a Slice of Cheese
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Fresh Strawberries & a Slice of Cheese

When it's strawberry season, which is all summer, we always gravitate towards eating the freshest strawberries! This is when fresh fruit is cheapest, and by pairing a handful of strawberries with a slice or two of good cheese, we're giving the kids a little calcium, protein, and fat along with the fruit snacks.

5/21
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Guacamole
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Guacamole

Everybody loves guac! While this treat is so delicious served with a classic bowl of tortilla chips, they're actually weirdly high in calories -- there's 74 calories in just 10 chips, and who only eats ten 10 of those bad boys? Instead, try serving guacamole with fresh-sliced veggies -- way healthier!

6/21
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Blueberries & Yogurt
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Blueberries & Yogurt

Plain yogurt adds some creamy decadence while also bringing protein into the snack, and blueberries offer fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins. We love to throw this in the freezer, too -- what a great, cool treat!

7/21
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Healthy Deviled Eggs
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Healthy Deviled Eggs

This recipe for healthy deviled eggs uses Greek yogurt in place of the mayo, which adds extra protein and cuts fat. Make it even healthier by adding in only some of the egg yolks! These'll last in the fridge for days, which make them a wonderful go-to morning or afternoon snack.

8/21
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Healthy Homemade Trail Mix
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Healthy Homemade Trail Mix

We used to buy premade trail mix, and still do sometimes, but the truth is, this recipe for healthy homemade trail mix is so much cheaper, and it's versatile -- if we're out of one ingredient, we'll just sub in something else. Plus, we know exactly what goes into it!

9/21
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Watermelon Pops

Watermelon Pops

Watermelon is amazing for us! It's good for our hearts and contains lots of potassium. Toss watermelon slices onto popsicle sticks for a summertime treat that doesn't get hands sticky.

10/21
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Lettuce Wraps
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Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce wraps are such a tasty, easy, healthy, and summery way to make use of fridge leftovers! Leftover taco filling can go in here, smoked turkey and cheese, veggies and tahini dressing... whatever works!

11/21
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String Cheese & Cherry Tomatoes
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String Cheese & Cherry Tomatoes

We absolutely adore string cheese and cherry tomatoes. For a fancy-looking, healthy snack that kids can put together themselves, try putting string cheese and a halved cherry tomato on a cracker with a piece of fresh basil!

12/21
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Annie's Whole Wheat Bunnies
Annie's

Annie's Whole Wheat Bunnies

Honestly, we will steal Annie's Whole Wheat Bunnies from any kid who is lucky enough to have them in his lunchbox. They can be a little on the pricey side for a regular treat, but they're so good and easy, it's often worth it. 

_Annie's Whole Wheat Bunnies ($5, Mercato)_

13/21
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Melon Soup
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Melon Soup

Chilled melon soup is refreshing, delicious, and cooling, while being really healthy. This recipe uses Greek yogurt, too, so it gets a boost of protein. A perfect snack for after kids have been playing outside!

14/21
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Cocktail Shrimp
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Cocktail Shrimp

We love cocktail shrimp -- and they keep in the fridge for four days, which make them a great go-to snack to leave around. This may seem expensive, but a bag of about 50 medium shrimp is only $5.50 at Walmart and even cheaper at Costco -- and making a DIY cocktail sauce is both lower-sugar and less expensive (plus it takes about two minutes to throw together)!

15/21
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Sugar Snap Peas & Ranch Dip
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Sugar Snap Peas & Ranch Dip

Sugar snap peas are honestly a super snack on their own, but to get kids to eat more of these tasty, fibrous treats, set out a ranch dip -- we love the Hidden Valley ranch powder mixed into Greek yogurt.

16/21
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Lebby Chickpea Snacks
Amazon

Lebby Chickpea Snacks

Chocolate-covered chickpeas aren't the absolutely healthiest thing we've ever eaten, but they're far, far from the unhealthiest -- and kids love them a ton. They're flavorful, chocolatey, and a great non-dessert dessert!

Lebby Chickpea Snacks ($18 for 6, Amazon)

17/21
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Peanut Butter Fruit Dip
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Peanut Butter Fruit Dip

We love this recipe for peanut butter fruit dip, which is easy enough to put together that most older kids can do it themselves! It works with bananas, sliced apples, strawberries, or really any other fruit -- and it's protein-packed!

18/21
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Baked Plantain Chips
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Baked Plantain Chips

Baked plantain chips are one of our favorite things in the world. Naturally gluten-free, they're amazing dipped in guacamole, hummus, artichoke dip, or peanut butter -- whatever the kids like best! They're easy to make, but can also totally be bought because sometimes time is not our friend!

19/21
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Strawberry Coconut Milk Popsicles
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Strawberry Coconut Milk Popsicles

These strawberry coconut milk popsicles are such an easy, fun treat to make with kids -- and they're cheap, to boot! We love the fancy popsicle molds in the photos here, but the regular ones from the dollar store do just fine.

20/21
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No-Bake Chocolate Almond Bites
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No-Bake Chocolate Almond Bites

Once the weather heats up, nobody wants to turn the oven on! These no-bake chocolate almond bites are healthy, yummy, full of fiber and protein, and are an indulgent no-bake snack that kids can pull from the fridge (or even mix together themselves)!

21/21
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Add this graphic to your Pinterest boards to save these healthy yummy snacks for pleasing your kids.

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