Snack for School

Hi A.,
My son is in pre-k. I had to prepare a snack for his class a few months ago when he was student of the week. I cut up fresh veggies (cucumbers, carrots, etc) for a veggie tray. I used Ranch dressing and took some crackers. Once, I took pound cake, fresh-cut strawberries, and whipped cream so they could make their own strawberry shortcake. Both were a hit. I have also done fruit trays with dip and those were well received also.

I've yet to meet a kid that doesn't love Rice Krispie Treats! You can make them or buy a box.

Found this in Family Fun Magazine. Buy enough oranges for each kid to have half. Cut oranges in half around the middle. Scoop out all the orange pulp. Make orange jello, and pour it into the orange halves. My daughter's 2nd grade class loved this. You can also send in a few apples (that the teacher can cut up) and some grapes (cut in half) for those that don't like the jello.
Enjoy - M.

what about cheese? could go along with fruit (like grapes) or separate. you can cut in cubes or if you have lots of free time, you could cut into shapes. my kids like colby jack, but any mild cheese should be good. could also bring it in with a healthy cracker like triscuits.

I have also brought go-gurt which is easy and seemed to go over well.

I teach pre-k- I encourage my kiddos to bring in FUN FRUIT! If your son likes fruit- an easy and festive healthy snack would be fruit kabobs with kid friendly fruit- red grapes, water melon, pineapple (canned is cheaper) cantalope. Many parents have sent in a homemade fruit dip. ( 80z cream cheese softened, 1 cup marshmallow cream, 1/2 cup powdered sugar blended. Cinnamin optional!)

NO CUPCAKES!!! They are messy and most kids only eat the top or bottom. Your son can help you make the kabobs on wooden skewers that are disposable!!!! Your son's teacher will love you:)
M.

You could try a snack I call pretzel treats. Buy small pretzels (you can get salt free), chocolate melting waffers (you could get sugar free) and M&M's. Place the pretzels on a baking dish with one waffer on each and put them in the oven for only about 2 minutes, at 250 degrees. As soon as you take them out place an M&M on top. They are cute, yummy and easy, and if you buy salt and sugar free they really aren't that bad for them.

I always encouraged my students to bring either a fruit salad or some mini muffins(carrot or blueberry are good) and to make them extra special just "dust" lightly with powdered sugar. Also- yo-baby yogurt or plain lowfat yogurt with fruit to mix in was popular as well.

What about a fruit pizza? Make mini ones out of bagel halves or small pita pockets, spread with cream cheese, top with cut-up fruit. Fruit salad might also be a good idea or jello with fruit.

You could always check with the teacher, I suppose and ask her/him if there is anything they would recommend or anything the kids have had a lot of lately. I never think to do that in time.

Cereal with milk either in bowls or cups is fun, you can choose a healthy cereal.

Mini muffins are healthy (sometimes i wonder though) and they look like cupcakes you could dust them with powedered sugar.

Kids love banana bread.
Popcorn is a pretty good treat too. slight choking hazard for wee little ones. so depends on age.
Furit Kabob's on cute fancy toothpicks, might be able to get leftover new years ones cheap right now.
And i'm sure they don't get jello cups or pudding cups often, you can get those sugar free, but you might want to check with the teachers depending on age just because of the mess. Don't forget the spoons.
How cute would Jelly sandwiches (sans the pbutter) cut out with cookie cutters in the shape of a dinosaur or what ever he is into right now!! with some lowfat choc milk mmmmmmm.

I saw something i'm going to adapt a little and use for my daughters birthday snack. I have no idea where i saw it or what exactly it was filled with but I'm going to use Sugar Cones, that you would put icecream in and put either popcorn or some kind of trail mix. I'd like it to kind of mound up over the top but i'm not sure how to get it to do that. I'm still thinking about it.

familyfun.com had some cute snacks sometimes

Happy birthday to your son. I'd love to hear what you decide to do.

i would say cupcakes but that is not healthy. they do have reduced sugar cake mixes out there now. may be get some jello molds and make some different jello shapes. another thing you could do is to make some fruit salad.
you have to be careful since some children have food allergies. look online but there are some cookies they are healthy they are vegetarian cookies with icing which is made with soy milk. my co worker made some for my friends son who has allergies, for our holiday party and they were pretty good.

I buy the large pretzel rods and melt down (any color) chocolate and dip the pretzels in their. I let my kids pick the colors that they like and then drizzle the colors on top of the chocolate. The kids seem to love it!

Trail mix...make your own. It is cheaper if you make your own. I use a mixture of peanuts, cashews, golden grahams cereal, chex cereal, honey nut cheerios and plain M&Ms.

Celery cars!
Cut a 3-4 inch piece of celery, fill with peanut butter or cream cheese, poke 2 toothpicks through from the sides and stick grapes on the ends for wheels.