Healthy School Snacks for Kids
I know you want the snacks your kids bring to school to be healthy…and EASY. We’ve got a big list hear of healthy, packaged snacks kids can bring to school.
A lot of schools are going nut free – so we’ve got options for those of you who need snacks without nuts. Plus, we’ve got loads of suggestions for snacks with nuts. Hey, it’s always good to have options in the snack department and your kiddo can enjoy these snacks ANYTIME and ANYWHERE, as well.
While whole foods are the best option for sure. But, we all snack and busy parents, like you and me, need some healthy school snack options that are quick and easy to have on hand.
If you have some great healthy snack suggestions for school that we don’t include, please comment below.
Nut Free Healthy School Snacks
Iwon Protein Crisps, Puffs, or Stix
It’s always fun if you can find a snack with a good story behind it. IWON Protein snacks were developed by a dad who wanted heatlhier options out there. We’ve been eating these for years because they are yummy!
So, if you are looking for a snack with a bit of protein, some crunch and no nuts – these are a great option. With so many schools going nut free, it’s great to have a different option for a school snack.
IWON protein chips come in a few flavors. You can try the barbeque crisps, the Honey Dijion Stix, or the Cheddar Cheese Puffs.
Nutrition Facts for IWON Protein Crisps: 1 serving of 18 crisps has 5 grams of protein.
Solely Organic Fruit Gummies
These organic fruit gummies have wonderfully simple ingredients – just the fruit! I am normally not a big fruit snacks person, but these have no added sugars or preservatives. I have been finding them on sale lately at Sierra Trading(my secret spot I check weekly for BIG savings on lots of healthy snacks)
They come in so many delicious flavors, too. Try a variety pack with 6 flavors to see which ones you like best,
Lundberg Organic Mini Rice cakes
Rice cakes make a great vehicle for other foods, like nut butter or hummus or cream cheese. These Mini Rice cakes are perfect to pack as a snack or lunch. The apple pie flavor shown above are great on their own.
The plain version are great to dip or have with sliced cheese. Also a great nut free option
These snacks are great for all kids, but if you are specifically looking for high protein snacks for ADHD kids (I have two boys with ADHD) this list is filled with great options.
Vermont Beef Sticks
Beef sticks, in general are a great school snack option because they are nut free and packed with protein. Vermont Beef Sticks are made without adding any icky chemicals and are hand crafted in Vermont.
They do come in several flavors, which include a turkey meat option, as well. The mini size is great for a snack and comes in an economical bag of 28.
Try the variety pack of three flavors to see which ones your family likes best.
Nutritional Facts for Mini-sized Vermont Beef Sticks: 100 calories and 6 grams of protein.
That’s it Fruit Bar
Another fruit snack that makes our list of healthy school snacks is the That’s It Fruit Bar. Again, this is just dried fruit, no sugar or icky dyes are added. These are a bit more like a fruit leather shaped into a thicker bar and easier to chew.
These are free from the top 12 allergens, making them a great option when you need to provide a group snack! I also love that these have 4 grams of fiber per bar. The variety pack is the best way to start out – your kids will love them all, I am sure!
Smash Snack Bites
Smash Snack Bites are awesome if your kiddo is not into meat sticks, but really needs a snack to have some protein. They do have other flavors with nuts, so be sure to get the sunbutter option if you are looking for a nut free snack.
The variety pack is a great deal and you can try all 4 varieties.
Bare Apple Chips
These are totally yummy and super crunchy! The crunchy-ness does serve to wake kids up a bit!
These are a fan favorite, for sure – be careful, you could eat the whole bag. Thanks goodness Bare Apple Chips come in individual snack bags to tame your tummy.
Try the multipack of Reds and Cinnamon flavors.
Chomps Beef Sticks
Another great choice if your kids eat meat sticks. Chomps are made from grass fed and finished cows and they have no sugar!
They do have a mini version, perfect for a school snack or for on the go. Chomplings come in 5 flavors – check them out here.
Nutritional information for Chomplings: Each mini stick contains 45 calories and 4 grams of protein.
Archer Beef Sticks
Wait! Another beef stick!!! Yes, just one more. These happen to be my personal favorite out of all three in this post.
I do really love when my kids eat these….I just think it’s great to have no sugar and lots of protein.
Archer beef sticks are free from pesky chemicals, too. We buy these in a big bag at Costco.
Nutritional Info for Archer Beef Sticks(Minis): 4 grams protein and zero grams sugar.
Healthy School snacks with nuts
RX Bars
I love that these are so simple and packed with protein. The ingredients are listed right on the front of each RX Bar. The bars are chewy and not super sweet. Our fave is Chocolate Sea Salt, but there are 9 other flavors.
Try the sample pack of 10 bars to find your favorite. This is a great deal!
Their addition of Oats is fairly new. They are no less delicious. This is a local company for us, so I love to support them.
Nutritional Info for RX Bars: Oat version has 10 grams of protein, 4 grams fiber, and 12 grams sugar.
The original version has 12 grams of protein and 14 grams of sugar, with the same 4 grams of fiber.
Aloha Bars
These are a new favorite of my two boys – they “taste like cookie dough, Mom!”. With 14 grams of protein per bar, they make a good snack/quick meal for my growing boys.
My favorite is the Lemon Cashew, while my boys, naturally, love the Cookie Dough. My teenage son says the Mint Flavor tastes just like a Thin MInt Girl Scout Cookie!
TruBar
My kids LOVE these Tru Bars. With names like Daydreaming About Donuts and Smother Fudged Peanut Butter who can resist? They are a women-owned company – Yeah!
TruBars are free of gluten, dairy, and soy, making these a great choice for kids who can have nuts at school. Try a variety pack to start finding your favorite.
Nutritional Info for TruBars: 12 grams of protein and 7 grams of sugar and 12 grams of fiber.
MunkPack Nut and Seed Bars
These are a new favorite by an old favorite company – Munk Pack has reformulated their snacks to now contain even less sugar! . These are simple but yummy bars that are eaten by every single person in my house!
These Nut and Seed Bars come in many flavors like Almond Butter Cocoa Chip and Dark Chocolate Cocoa. They are a great school snack and super addition to any lunch box. I keep some in my car to stave off the hangries.
Nutritional Info for Munk Pack Nut and Seed Bars: 5 grams protein and only 1 gram of sugar!
GoMacro Bars
GoMacro protein bars have been a staple in our house for years.and can be a bit more of a meal replacement, if necessary. These have been more enjoyed as my kids have gotten older – they are not as sweet as other snacks or bars.
Their favorite is Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip. But, there are so many flavors and hey! They even have a nut free version. (See my son’s new fave flavor below!)
Update for 2025: My picky teenager, who eats very little in the way of meat, LOVES these and I am happy about that, because GoMarcoBars are a great way to get a decent amount of protein into him. His new favorite is Oatmeal Chocolate Chip.
