The Best 8 Healthy Snacks to Keep Kids Energized All Day, According To A Pediatric Dietitian

Sometimes, all you need is a snack that buys you a few extra minutes of sanity—and that's where these smoothie melts come in. Made with simple ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and coconut milk, they're easy to grab on the go and for keeping kids entertained when you're on the phone with your pediatrician. They’re also ridiculously fun to eat because who doesn’t love a snack that melts in your mouth?

A granola bar that fuels brain health? Yes, please! These nut-free, gluten-free, organic, and vegan snack bars are perfect for lunchboxes or a post soccer pick-me-up. They’re loaded with brain-boosting nutrients like choline and iron, and packed with 3 grams of healthy fats, 4 grams of fiber, and 3 grams of protein per bar. And if you take a peek at the ingredient list, you’ll find nutritious foods like gluten-free oats, sweet potato, sunflower seed butter, strawberries, and beets. Yup, added to cart!

I'm a big fan of these better-for-you crackers because of their stellar ingredient list featuring almonds, sunflower seeds, and flaxseeds. Each serving has 3 grams of protein, 9 grams of healthy fats, and 2 grams of fiber to keep kids satisfied during play dates or long plane rides. Enjoy them on their own or pair them with nutritious toppings, like mashed avocado, hummus, nut butter, or cottage cheese.

If you've got a wheel-obsessed tot (cars, trucks, trains!), these wheel-shaped soft-baked bars are totally in their wheelhouse (see what I did there?). Made with real fruits and veggies and no added sugar, these nutritious bars are a hit for toddlers and big kids alike. They pack in 4 grams of healthy fats from coconut oil and pumpkin seed butter, 3 grams of fiber from fruits and veggies, and incorporate a greens power blend of wheatgrass, kale, chlorella, and moringa. More greens = ka-ching!

Most kids love yogurt, and for good reason—it’s creamy, smooth, and easy to eat. Unfortunately, many flavored yogurts are packed with more sugar than a donut. That’s why we love Fage’s Total Plain yogurt. It has zero added sugar but it's made with 5% milk fat, giving it a rich and silky texture, similar to Greek yogurt but without the tartness. Each single-serving cup packs 9 grams of protein and is an excellent addition to school lunches or post-gymnastics snack. And if your child's craving a little extra sweetness, you can add granola, a drizzle of honey, or fresh or dried fruit. This way, you control how much sugar they’re actually getting.

This isn't just any shake—it's packed with 20 essential nutrients like iron, vitamin D, and calcium to keep kids energized until their next meal. Each serving delivers 7 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, and 50mg of omega-3 fatty acids to support healthy brain growth and development. Made with whole milk from pasture-raised cows and formulated with zero added sugar, these nutrition shakes can be enjoyed on their own or alongside a meal. And for those highly opinionated kids (like mine!), they can take their pick of two delicious flavors: vanilla or strawberry-banana.

Unlike most cereals that are loaded with refined sugars, this one is made with wholesome ingredients and no unnecessary sweeteners. It's made with cassava and sunflower protein, sweetened with maple syrup and dates (no refined sugars!), and provides 5 grams of protein, 6 grams of healthy fats, and 2 grams of fiber per serving. Enjoy it with milk, yogurt, or cottage cheese, snack on it straight from the box, or mix it into a homemade trail mix with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. Your kids won’t be able to resist the fun flower-shaped pieces! Our family's favorite is maple sea salt, but it also comes in berry and cocoa flavors.