6 On-the-go snacks for kids

Sunflower butter and honey sandwich

Peanut butter and jelly is so passe. Give your kids' plain old PB& J a fresh twist by using sunflower butter or Nutella in the place of peanut butter, and honey or agave nectar instead of jelly. Use whole-grain bread and don't forget to cut the crusts off! Pack this snack in a plastic sandwich container or a sealed plastic bag.

On-the-trail trail mix

For your little one, do-it-yourself trail mix is a fun do-together activity, as well as a wholesome and hearty snack that will give your kids a much-needed boost of energy while they are out on the trail. There is really no limit to the possibilities when it comes to trail mixes. Let your child help you choose the items that will go into the snack mix. Some ideas? Pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, cashews and dark chocolate candy pieces with a no-melt shell; sunflower seeds, golden raisins, broken whole grain pretzel pieces and a few small pieces of bite-sized red licorice; or mix air-popped popcorn with apple chips, and cinnamon-flavored cereal (like Cinnamon Chex).

All juice boxes are not created equal. Some only have 10 percent real juice and others are loaded with extra sugar. Go for 100 percent juice.

Homemade granola bars

Easy to grab and go, granola bars pack a punch of nutrients along with a great crunch and a sweet flavor all in a hand-held take-along snack. While you could buy granola bars at the store – and there is a limitless variety – making them yourself ensures a custom made, healthy snack your kids will love.

Get our easy homemade granola bar recipe here >>

Stuffed pita pockets

Pita pockets are the perfect on-the-go "container" for nearly any type of snack. Cut a whole grain pita in half and stuff it with turkey and a swipe of cream cheese; hummus and sugar snap peas or thinly sliced carrots; tomato, lettuce and turkey bacon… the options are endless. Send your kids on-the-go with a pita pocket stuffed with their favorite healthy foods and they will scarf down this on-the-go snack in no time.

Fruits and veggies

Fruits and veggies are the ultimate on-the-go snack. Bananas come equipped with their very own "container," and carrot sticks and broccoli crowns are perfect to grab-and-go. Pair this ultimate healthy snack with a squeezable low-sugar yogurt tube for added protein.

Healthy apple bran muffins

A blueberry muffin may be a tasty take-along morning snack, but nutritionally, you can do better. Swap your kids' blueberry muffin for a bran muffin packed with apples for a tasty yet healthy treat. These muffins are not only delicious, they are also loaded with dietary fiber, which will fill your kids up fast and stay with them until lunchtime.

Check out this healthy apple bran muffin recipe >>

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