6 Fun Healthy Kids Snacks

Having fun healthy kids snacks in your cooking arsenal is crucial when taking care of kids. Children are growing and constantly active, and thus seemingly endlessly hungry. Yet, most fun kid snack ideas are grossly unhealthy, involving foods with lots of sugar, salt and fat. As child obesity rates continue to climb, having healthy snack recipes for kids becomes ever more important. Finding healthy snack recipes that picky eaters actually enjoy can be quite the challenge. Here are six healthy popular snacks that any kid will love.
 

Fresh Fruit – If the kids crave sugar, at least make it natural sugar. Fruits are plenty sweet and every child has at least one favorite fruit. Cater the fruit around the child's tastes to make sure they don't go back to snacking on candy. Unlike candy, fresh fruit is full of fiber and vitamins. If you cannot find fresh fruit for a particular person, then go with dried fruit. For a fun healthy kids snack, try making this Apple Kiwi Salad.
 

Fresh Vegetables – The eternal struggle of any parent is to get a child to eat their vegetables. Veggies are chock full of vitamins, nutrients, fiber and whole host of other good stuff kids need. Plus, veggies often have low amounts of sugar and no fat or salt. Unless the veggies are hidden in an unhealthy dish though, kids will not touch them. To get veggies into the list of healthy snacks your kid eats, try making a low fat dip. Carrots and red peppers, amongst other veggies, taste great when dipped Healthy Two Bean Hummus or another flavorful dip.
 

Low-Fat Dairy – Whether with milk, cheese or yogurt, dairy is a low-sugar fun kid snack idea. Dairy is a fantastic source of calcium and protein, two essential nutrients for kids. Just make sure to choose dairy snacks that are low in fat and not overly sweetened. A healthy snack recipe for kids with dairy is the great recipe for Homemade Powdered Milk Yogurt.
 

Whole Grains – To get the most bang for your buck when it comes to crackers or other starchy kids snack ideas, go with whole grains. Children need carbohydrates for energy, and whole grain snacks give kids carbs along with fiber, protein and essential nutrients. Avoid whole grain snacks that are salty or fried. Many companies now make whole grain versions of already popular kids snacks.
 

Nuts – Packed with protein to keep your kids full, you would be nuts to not like nuts. Yes, nuts do have a high fat content, but it is nothing compared to cookies or french fries. If you are very concerned about your child's fat intake, limit their nut intake to a handful a day. The fat and protein content in nuts means children become full more easily and stay full longer. Simply dry roast or serve raw an assortment of your child's favorite nuts for a healthy snack recipe.
 

Smoothies – If your child craves a sweet drink, then reach for a smoothie. Often, kids reach for sodas when thirsty, which are full of sugar and calories with no nutritional benefit. A smoothie, unlike soda, often has low-fat dairy and fruit, giving kids needed nutrients. Plus, smoothies are usually thick, making them a great snack for a hungry child too. This Triple Berry Smoothie makes a great fun healthy kids snack.