Every Friday morning, without fail, my group of mummy friends and our soccer team of kids get together for a couple of hours of socializing outside of the house where we can talk about our week and our kids can run around like crazy ferals. The venue varies from the park, to the beach, to the creek, to one of our houses, but the time and the plan never changes. We meet at 9:30 am and we always bring a sharable snack for the kids (and adults). And…. someone always has to bring cake.
Cake is not optional.
This has been going on for a few years now and it is something both my kids and I look forward to at the end of the week. One of my friends will bring a platter of fruit; one will bring a beautiful slice, tart or cake made from scratch (she is our “I wish she was my mum” mum), one will bring a platter of vegies and one will bring a savoury dish or sandwiches.
And then there’s me.
Me, who at 9:23 am is still half-naked running around the house with a toothbrush hanging out of my mouth, trying to locate the kid’s freaking swimmers.
Me, who, at 9:24 am is slamming the cupboards open and shut looking for something decent to throw in a container and bring, all the while screaming at the kids to get their butts into the car.
Me, who, at 9:25 am, has managed to locate the swimmers and my shirt, and has made a mad dash for Coles to buy something last minute that half resembles something home made.
Me, who always arrives late, always forgets something (thankfully I haven’t forgotten one of the kids…yet) and is always in shambles.
Okay, so I am not the most organised person in the group, or the most punctual, but it’s been like this for years. And it’s a shame to change things now. Everyone loves routine.
Kid Snacks on the Go
So I thought I would share some of my go-to playgroup friendly kids snacks with all the other mums and dads out there that can’t seem to get organised enough to bake from scratch, or cut up fruit and put them in a container (seriously, am I the most disorganised mum in the world or what?). Oh, and before I begin, I’ll just point out that this post is sponsored by Coles, but all of these snacks are tried, tested and bought frequently by me.
Yes. I know I should spend two minutes before going to playgroup to actually take the crackers out of the box, cut up the cheese and place it all neatly in a container. But, in my defense, most of the time the crackers in my pantry are already half eaten. So, instead, on my way to playgroup, I buy a packet of crackers (usually Jatz or whatever is on special), a Coles Brand Tasty Cheese Block and a container of dip. My favourite is Cheese and Chives. The Coles Brand Tasty Cheese Block is the perfect size to feed our troop of hungry kids and everyone loves the bold flavour of it. I keep a knife and a container in my bag and cut up the items once I arrive. The kids love this snack as it’s filling yet simple and, if the kids don’t like the dip I have selected, then it just means more for the mums. Double win.
Snow Peas
This one is so easy and healthy (guilt-free – score!). Simply go to the fresh produce section and fill a bag with snow peas. My kids are obsessed with crunchy fresh snow peas (and I don’t even have to bribe them). They are great with dips and as part of salads as well but my kids and most of the kids at our playgroup are happy to munch on them without anything else.
Strawberries and Choc Brownie Ice Cream
When strawberries are in season I will pick up a punnet of berries and a carton of Coles Brand Choc Brownie Ice Cream. This is one of the most indulgent ice creams I’ve had – it’s seriously so divine! But I always feel a little guilty being the mum at playgroup who gives the already-hopped-up-kids more sugar. So…. I place a cup of strawberries ON TOP of the ice cream. The kids have to eat at least some of the fruit to get to the good stuff. With this treat, however, I try to serve it right away, especially when we are meeting at the creek, beach or park where a freezer isn’t handy.
Coles Bakery Chocolate Mud Cake
On the days when our Cake-Making Mum is not available (she had a baby a couple weeks back and we gave her that Friday off to push the baby out), I usually stop off at Coles and grab this cake. Best. Mud. Cake. Ever. I mean, okay, so maybe it’s not as amazing as a home made from scratch cake, but it’s about 100 times better than I could ever make and much cheaper than if I were to buy all the ingredients and attempt to make it.
Coles Banana Bread
Here is another great one when you are meeting at a park or somewhere where you don’t have access to a fridge or freezer. Coles Brand Banana Bread is so moist and delicious on it’s own, it really doesn’t need icing or butter. Simple cut them into squares and serve. I will confess that I actually sometimes buy this one when my in-laws are coming over for coffee, cut it up beforehand and put it on a nice platter and claim it as my own. Yah, I know. Daughter-in-Law of the Year Award goes to me.
Mixed Berry Smoothies
This one is only reserved for when playgroup is at one of our houses. I grab a tub of vanilla yoghurt, a case of Coles Frozen Mixed Berries from the freezer section and a 2 litre bottle of milk. Then, once I arrive at my friend’s place, I borrow her blender, add the ingredients and viola, I am “the coolest mum ever” who managed to pull smoothies out of my hat like a magician.
Coles have a number of other easy and delicious playgroup friendly kids snacks to consider like their Coles Jam Daisies and Raspberry Tarts. The great thing about buying Coles Brand is that you are not only saving money, but also providing your kids with a snack that doesn’t contain any artificial colours or added MSG. I also love how, even though it’s made in store, many of the items look and taste home made.
Because, let’s be honest, sometimes you just can’t be bothered to bake.
Want to win $150 to spend at Coles? Simply tell us in the comments, “What is Your Go To Snack When Out With the Kids?” Winner will be selected 7 June 2014
my go to snack when out with the kids is twiggy sticks from the service deli they go nuts for them, or apples my boys love apples and my 5 yr old usually does 3 or 4 apples a day!!!!
Mel Curtin
They both love those squeezy youghurts – they get those when doing my grocery shopiing. I have also been know to duck into Coles when at Westfields to buy a few ‘bribe’ treats to to keep them going
Got to be the Coles Vegetable Thins and the hommus dip, my kids love it or the little boxes of sultanas and apples… And it’s stuff me and my husband don’t mind snacking on either
Sultanas are my ‘gotta-get-out-the-door-quick-oh-bugger-better-bring-along-a-snack’ go-to snack… Quick, easy, no mess, no fuss, no prep-work, relatively healthy and so far I’m yet to find a kid allergic to them! Total win-win in my books. 🙂
Agreed! I always bring sultanas in my bag for my preschooler. She loves them!
Melinda
My kids really love pikelets! And if I don’t have time to make them myself, you can pick them up from the supermarket.. Yummy warm with butter, jam or nuttella and banana on top.
Scones (savory or with dried fruit)- one of the mums in my mothers group used to make them with a 3 month old and I was in awe – but she showed me how and she is right they are super easy! I also rate the Coles mud cake very highly – I cannot make one that good either!
my go to snack when out with my girls are the Coles yoghurt topped muesli bars. They are easy and convenient to pack and eat when out and about. The other great thing is that I love them too!!!! Me and the girls will quite often stop for a snack together when out and about 🙂
Belvita breakfast biscuits, some ham & cheese rolls, apples & some flavoured milk got us through a very long day out, me & 3 kids. 1 who is very very fussy!
They love the belvita bikkies in their school lunch too.
I do a selection mix where I combine Cheerio cereal, sultanas, nutri-grain and choc chips together. The kids love the variety in a snack container and they feel like they’re getting a treat with the choc chips.
My kids love fruits. We always have some sliced up apples or pear, grapes, strawberries in our bags when we are out. Watermelon in summer and pawpaw when in season. They are healthy, mess free and most importantly keeps them hydrated. My kids hates water
Lisa Marie
I always make scones- mini baby scones for the little people and normal sized scones for the adults- then I always bring some cream and jam so that everyone can have it plain or dressed up!! Nothing beats a fresh scone 🙂
I keep a few mueslie bars in my bag so if we’re out longer than expected and I haven’t brought snacks I always have a backup. they’re small and light and don’t get too squished 🙂
Janice L
I have always kept muesli bars (great also when Mum needs a snack too! ) and Coles brand Cheddar Cheese Spread and Cracker Snack Packs….. They love this over the leading brand flavour! Sultanas were also a staple when they were younger. All are small and compact for our “mummy” size bags…as there is so many other items in there, spare clothes, toys, notepads and coloured pencils etc… I do look forward to one day casting a smaller bag!
Amanda
Grab a packet of Country Cheese biscuits and say no more.
shannon
I always have a batch of healthy muffins ready to go in the freezer. I alternate which fruit pieces i use in the them and sometimes I scatter a few choc chips for an extra treat!
I usually grab a small pot of natural yoghurt and some fresh fruit eg: melon banana, grapes berries toothpicks and vegies like celery carrots cucumber, the children spike the fruit and vegies and dip into the yoghurt.
Spiking the fruit and vegies is such a great idea lizzyg! might do that myself next time 🙂
Soni
My skinny little toddler is a very poor eater and, at almost 3, still has never ever eaten cheese, eggs or meat of any type, so my go-to snacks are always protein-based. My latest discovery are little bags of fried broadbreans (fava beans) from the supermarket – they taste just like little chips except they’re about 25% protein, so they’re really great for him. And all kids love salty things so as long as I don’t tell the other kids they’re actually a vegetable, they love them too!
Wow Soni, I’ve never seen those. I will need to check them out! (Fran)
Soni
They’re made by Partner Foods – they also do roasted chickpeas too, which are also high in protein but my toddler isn’t as interested in eating them as he is the broadbeans. They’re roasted breadbeans, not fried – I just read the packet.
Sue Hixson
Rice cakes are always a winner (or corn etc…) however they can be
plain, dipped, spread with sweet, savoury, served with cheese. Its easy,
healthy and very last minute grabbble!
I always have cans of baby corn spears in the pantry… My daughter loves crunching and munching away on these. They are especially good when she is teething and I put them in the fridge so they are nice and cold!
Meg Astbury
Sweet corn fritters are a huge hit with the kids and are great for when we go out and about.
Tracy
Fresh sweet corn on the cob. Boil for ten minutes then they’re ready to go. Delicious and healthy.
Sheryl
In summer it is always a dish of watermelon scooped into little balls – fun to eat and minimal mess!
Mindo K
Dried fruit, fresh fruit, vegemite sandwich
BJ
Mini Rice cakes /Rice wheels… A few crumbs maybe, but generally they go in the mouth whole so less mess in the car than many other snacks. They also come in small packs so I can leave one in the car or nappy bag for “emergency hungers”!
Kim Ireland
Coles brand baked fruit bars 🙂
Penny
As my son is gluten free I have to think ahead sometimes. Usually it’s things like kabana, rice cakes, fruit, carrot sticks. Mostly things that don’t come pre packaged!
Lisa Bell
Usually fruit, Sakatas (kids love the seaweed ones), squeeze yogurt, sandwiches, home made pikelets, pizza or Vegemite and Cheese pull apart I make in the slow cooker…. Waay to many ideas lol.. For drinks I they ALWAYS have their water bottles (paranoid of dehydration) and usually a fruit box or a milkshake if they are good…. My 3 girls eat a lot!!
Karley Nelson
Pinwheels are my favourite go to snack.. always colourful and easily made with things from the pantry, i make them with lebanese bread and fillings are always varied.. avacado or vegimite and grated cheese, honey and banana, sometimes carrot, lettuce and homus. Just top the bread, roll and slice into rounds. It looks great and allways eaten.
Leanne
Rice cakes, I love the flavoured ones but my son will eat even plain ones with nothing on them. Quick and easy to grab a packet when I’m in a rush and I’m pretty sure he thinks its a treat because it has the word “cake” in it.
Mummy Ariane
Crackers are my favourite, no mess and stay fresh. Banana’s are great too.
Anna M
Fruit Salad. Not because its healthy but because its sweet and also hydrating…im addicted.
Kirby
Grapes and bananas. Healthy treat and easy to pack 🙂
Essy Stein
Bananas are my go to, I have three toddlers and it’s a quick out the door snack, there is no prep needed and is Eco friendly as it doesn’t have any extra packaging, when we do our shop in store my partner will run in and buy them first and we are set no crying for chocolate or any other confectionary when we are at the checkout.
Kelly Jarvis
Corn Thins (my daughter loves them!) or Barbecue Shapes
sharon
muesli bars are always good to keep on hand 🙂 I carry some of those and an apple or mandarin for each child
Lynda Tomlinson
Grapes and rice crackers! My kids love them and it always leaves them feeling happy 😃
Kylie Embury
All 3 of my children love mini apple muffins. I’d love to say home made, but honestly, we regularly grab a pack from Coles. Tasty, filling and great when we are on the go after school and to and from activities. I love them too 🙂
Kristy Simms
Snakata rice crackers are my go to snack for the kids… All 3 will sit down and share the packet!
Lisa-Maree Coombes
A banana and a Chobani yogurt pouch. Fast, portable, allergy free (my Son has lots), great any time of year and, best of all, it’s super healthy!!
Anita B
Rice crackers and fruit or sultana’s quick easy and satisfies mum too 🙂
Kerri
Strawberries and grapes are our go to snack. Healthy, colourful and YUMMY!!!
jenni Browne
Apricot delights are our current go to especially homemade. Have to keep a good supply up
Linda
Sour cream and chive delite’s. They are just a special treat for traveling and squeezy yogurts
Bec Wright
Crackers (Savoy) and the mini tubs of hommus are one of my faves. Great when you have no bread too 😉 we love lots of fruit too especially now my kids don’t need apples cut up 🙂
Bela
My toddler loves roasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds mixed in with sultanas and dried apricots. It’s our own little “trail mix”. When he’s a bit older I hope to add in some nuts but we haven’t introduced them to him as yet though.
Katrina Soul-Holgate
Our go to is grab an avo and rice cakes. No mess no fuss and always a hit!
Jessica Bellott
Piklets are defently my go to snack with my 3.5 year old.. easy to pack and yummy with a spread or just on their own when in a real hurry..always buy a packet and freeze half for later in the week
Aylish Stewart
If I don’t bring food, fruit scones from the bakery work a treat!
Rebecca
My favorite is carrot sticks and corn relish dip.
Simara Waud
Yoghurt top muslie bars great healthy on the go snack
Sarah Leslie
Loving reading all these snack ideas! Our go to is plain old bananas. We always have them in the house and they require minimal prep when out and about and yet are pretty filling for the kids so a win win for me!
Bec Lindsay
Coles cheese rice crackers
natasha
Its either mini cupcakes where only the icing is eaten, or donuts. I want something that the kids are going to want ro eat. Even if it is only the tpp half of a cup cakem
Laura Richards
Popcorn! I try to remember to pop a fresh bag before a play group meet. Always a fave! Otherwise, sultanas, watermelon and grapes are my other go to snacks! Im not a bake a tart or cookies kind of mum! So I play the healthy fruit card hehehe
JW82
Bananas or mandarins (no cutting required) and babybel cheese
Kathy child
Fruit or a packet of rice crackers if I’m in a hurry. If I have a bit more time I’ll air pop a big bowl of popcorn and add a bit of butter and salt – or nothing if it’s for littlies
Laura Waddell
A banana – no containers required! Or mixed fruit (grapes, strawberries, sultanas, melons) in a small container. I also had rice crackers or Arrowroot biscuits in a container in my hand bag in case of an emergency when we’re out. Which, with a two-year-old, is almost always!
Ruby
Every time I go out, my kids bag includes, bananas which are easy to grab. I also always have individual apple bars or small pkts of tiny teddys, coles brand cheese & cracker pkts, either cold ones or from the cupboard, with no fail coles brand squishy yogurt which is always a winner & sometimes ill make them a quick peanut butter & honey or avocado & cheese sandwich as an addition. I always come home with all snacks eaten from all my 3 boys 🙂
Kellie Nolan
Fruit is my main go to, then I will pack some home made treats or cucumber rounds, cheese and rice crackers. My kids absolutely love the home made goodies
Mez Skinner
Sultanas and frozen muffins, which by snack time are nice and yummy and soft. 🙂
Jenna Butler
Always have a lunchbox filled with snacks and ready to go for mr 4. Sultanas, cheese & crackers, muesli bar, piece of fruit & a packet of tiny teddies ☺
Home made fruit & veg purée for little miss (7mnths).
Group gatherings – I’m a home made mixed berry muffins kind of mum!
Whipped up the night before and packed ready to go (so long as daddy doesn’t find them) haha 😝
Kristina Snowden
Bega Cheese sticks and Jatz Clix, both great on their own or together and I find stays with them longer than other snacks
Amy Wallace
I always have cashews and sultanas in the nappy bag! and I throw in some fruit or some banana/coconut bread if we will be out more then a couple of hours!
maree hodgess
Cheese & crackers are great and also like little bags of popcorn
Gisele Greig
The good old banana. It’s the best energy snack on the market! It’s healthy AND cheap!
Kathy
Hands down every time. A BANANA!
Phoenixmum
Popcorn, everyone loves it and it always gets eaten 🙂
I either buy the pre made snack bags or make it up fresh and do different flavours (salt, butter, icing sugar or salted caramel)
Bree Scott
Frozen grapes! The kids think they have struck gold when little bags of frozen goodness come out of the freezer!
Chont
Our snacks are sultanas, carrot sticks, muesli bars & a box of Shapes
Nicole
Crackers are my go to snack, easy portable and almost no mess.
Kate Harper
Kids adore banana sliced lengthways with peanut butter smothered on top!
OR for allergy friendly get togethers make up a super quick batch of fruit & marshmallow kebabs! Slide chunks of banana, strawberries and melon onto skewers with marshmallows.
Karina Lee
Muesli Bars – it’s sweet and tasty but not as unhealthy as chocolate bar or chips!
spog777
Orange and mandarin pieces – great little energy hits full of goodness
bubble936
popcorns, grapes,strawberries, carman bars,sultanas and carrot & cucumber sticks – all healthy and takes very little time to pack…
Claire Olver
Bananas and grapes. I usually bake banana choc chip muffins on a Sunday from a really simple recipe I have. They are delicious and stay fresh for at least a week. The family love them.
Ebony Woolcock
Coles brand fruit filled bars, saltanas or piklets are always a winner in my house. They keep the little ones quiet for awhile, fill tiny bellies and are so easy to throw in the handbag and go.
Jodstar
Sultanas/museli bars/squuezy yoghurts/popcorn and I make small vegemite and cheese scrolls
These can be given on-the-go whilst travelling in the car.
csapri
alternate between banana, cheesy parmesan toast, garlic bread, le snak, sultanas, squeeze yogurt.
Melissa Ware
Definately would have to be cheese cubes, carrot and celery sticks with hommus and rice crackers
Genevieve
Keep it Simple! Mandarin or seaweed rice crackers – always a winner, no prep required, no mess, no fuss. A cut up apple if you have a spare 30 seconds before you leave!
Anna
Apples & jatz & popcorn. Don’t need to remember a cold bag for them! 🙂
Carla
Popcorn. Plain for healthy snack or flavoured for a treat.
Jehanne
Go to snack – full fat yogurt with blueberries and mango pieces (frozen bite size chunks in Nanna’s brand) so easy, yummy and healthy – Nixie LOVES it <3
Kylie
Sultanas, nutrigrain and cheese is a winner here at the moment!
Emily
Coles Iced donuts, cheap, easy and always a winner!
Emily
Yoghurt coated sultanas !! kids and i love them also
Kirsten Benhiam
I make up some cheese pastry sticks. They only take about 25 minutes to make and cook and everyone loves them. Grab 2 puff pastry sheets brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with cheese. Squash the sheets together, cut into fingers and twist. Then cook for about 10 minutes. Love them.
Stephanie Veljanovska
My Son loves to take Avocado’s out with us and I am not complaining they are Portable, easy to eat and Nutritious too.
Jess Brennan
a milk arrowroot biscuit. He loves them and it will keep him amused for a little while
jonmic
Perfectly wrapped, easy to carry, simple to eat…just peel! Bananas…so good for you and yummy!
marypreston
I make cereal bars. Works with all cereal types we use. I just add in some dates, coconut & honey. Press down firmly, cut into fingers. You can mix up the ingredients.
My go to snack would Definately have to be Lebanese Bread wrapped with Kraft Cheddar Cheese, so simply to make on our way out to soccer matches on Saturday mornings. Throw in seasonal fruit, like Mandarins or Bosch Pears makes it too easy!!!
Rachel K
Plain popcorn lightly salted. I have a popcorn machine and the kernels are super cheap. Whole grains, fibre and antioxidants are wrapped up in this simple snack and kids love it. I pop a giant batch and bag it up in small zip lock bags. Simple grab a few bags and go! Plus as an added bonus if I’m really stressed I’ll pop a special “stress” batch for myself with the lid off and sit back and relax with a nice cold glass of chardonnay! Watching as they pop all over the place! Pure mayhem and hilarious for the whole family.
Sam
Dried apples and bananas! They are yummy and kids think they are like lollies!
Nik
My kids love the Coles brand caramel popcorn ( the most delicious popcorn you can buy) or cheese sticks. I just throw them in my bag and run out the door.
Natalie Walchshofer
When we’re out and about my go to snack for Miss 5 and Miss 3 is a small container of trail mix, crackers/pretzels, string cheese(I freeze them so that they don’t go mushy while we’re out) and lastly some fruit.
Kate Lea-Rowell
It has to be apples…sliced 4 times from top to bottom making a square in the center around the core (which is now a rectangle shaped column) leave it intact and wrap an elastic band around it to keep it going brown. Great for school lunches too, because they can just pull the elastic band off and the apple falls into segments!
lana
Definitely a banana. Quick and easy
liz
We all love trail muesli bars. They are packed with healthy nuts, fruit and oats. A quick sweet snack on the go.
Christine Williamson
Sultanas and milk arrowroot biccies… Only problem is if you give them in the car you find sultanas for week – lol!
linda
cinammon crumble muffins, yum yum. Just but the packet mix from coles, stir it up with some eggs and water and into the oven it goes, 25 minutes, yum yummy muffins the kids love them!!
Responses to “Playgroup Friendly Kids Snacks”
my go to snack when out with the kids is twiggy sticks from the service deli they go nuts for them, or apples my boys love apples and my 5 yr old usually does 3 or 4 apples a day!!!!
They both love those squeezy youghurts – they get those when doing my grocery shopiing. I have also been know to duck into Coles when at Westfields to buy a few ‘bribe’ treats to to keep them going
My kids love those squeezy yogurts too Mel. Actually, my son is in school now and still loves them. 🙂
Fruit- grapes, bananas, manderines, stawberries. All fruit that doesn’t need cutting up. Once we get to the park, I give them a wash and all is good.
That’s great Donna! 🙂
Mashed Banana on bread
Yum! Always a favourite here!
Got to be the Coles Vegetable Thins and the hommus dip, my kids love it or the little boxes of sultanas and apples… And it’s stuff me and my husband don’t mind snacking on either
Definitely easier when the whole family can enjoy it. 🙂
Yoghurt topped museli bars! They’re kind of healthy, mess free, easy to transport around in your handbag for such occasions and the kids LOVE them.
Great idea Carolyn…I’m always up for something quick and mess free if possible. 🙂
I always keep a couple of Golden Days Fruit Poles in bag. My 2 grear old LOVES them. From the health food section at Coles.
Great tip Georgie 🙂
I always bring watermelon…cut into little trees! Bite sized and with a little handle, no mess and always a winner! Healthy too!
My daughter loves watermelon 🙂
Jalna yohgurt, fills bubs up and I know she isnt getting any nasties in it! YUM
Yummo!
Lactose free squeezie kids yoghurt my 1 year old loves it!
My son loves those too 🙂
Sultanas are my ‘gotta-get-out-the-door-quick-oh-bugger-better-bring-along-a-snack’ go-to snack… Quick, easy, no mess, no fuss, no prep-work, relatively healthy and so far I’m yet to find a kid allergic to them! Total win-win in my books. 🙂
Agreed! I always bring sultanas in my bag for my preschooler. She loves them!
My kids really love pikelets! And if I don’t have time to make them myself, you can pick them up from the supermarket.. Yummy warm with butter, jam or nuttella and banana on top.
Oh yes Melinda my son LOVES pikelets!
Scones (savory or with dried fruit)- one of the mums in my mothers group used to make them with a 3 month old and I was in awe – but she showed me how and she is right they are super easy! I also rate the Coles mud cake very highly – I cannot make one that good either!
Scones are probably my favourite thing Natasha…the kids love them too 🙂
popcorn!
Ahhh yes, popcorn…nice and healthy, and easy to make!
My kids have lately discovered soy crisps, I think they are kinda healthy…?
They’re not too bad Amber 🙂
My daughter loves cucumbers and carrots whole so easy to grab when on the go 😉
Great and healthy snacks Kelly! My daughter also loves them. 🙂
My kids love fruits so I always buy fresh bananas, mandarins, strawberries, kiwis l, mangoes etc and bring my knife with me everywhere I go! 🙂
That’s great Danni!
my go to snack when out with my girls are the Coles yoghurt topped muesli bars. They are easy and convenient to pack and eat when out and about. The other great thing is that I love them too!!!! Me and the girls will quite often stop for a snack together when out and about 🙂
Those are great and convenient Tanya 🙂
Belvita breakfast biscuits, some ham & cheese rolls, apples & some flavoured milk got us through a very long day out, me & 3 kids. 1 who is very very fussy!
They love the belvita bikkies in their school lunch too.
My kids used to love those Belvita biscuits! 🙂
I do a selection mix where I combine Cheerio cereal, sultanas, nutri-grain and choc chips together. The kids love the variety in a snack container and they feel like they’re getting a treat with the choc chips.
That’s such a good idea!
My kids love fruits. We always have some sliced up apples or pear, grapes, strawberries in our bags when we are out. Watermelon in summer and pawpaw when in season. They are healthy, mess free and most importantly keeps them hydrated. My kids hates water
I always make scones- mini baby scones for the little people and normal sized scones for the adults- then I always bring some cream and jam so that everyone can have it plain or dressed up!! Nothing beats a fresh scone 🙂
Agreed Lisa – yum!
Dried fruits ( apricot,apples,sultana’s and banana chips) are the foods that stop my 4 from starving whilst I’m running around like a mad woman! 🙂
Such a great idea kristy…great for energy 🙂
I keep a few mueslie bars in my bag so if we’re out longer than expected and I haven’t brought snacks I always have a backup. they’re small and light and don’t get too squished 🙂
I have always kept muesli bars (great also when Mum needs a snack too! ) and Coles brand Cheddar Cheese Spread and Cracker Snack Packs….. They love this over the leading brand flavour! Sultanas were also a staple when they were younger. All are small and compact for our “mummy” size bags…as there is so many other items in there, spare clothes, toys, notepads and coloured pencils etc… I do look forward to one day casting a smaller bag!
Grab a packet of Country Cheese biscuits and say no more.
I always have a batch of healthy muffins ready to go in the freezer. I alternate which fruit pieces i use in the them and sometimes I scatter a few choc chips for an extra treat!
sounds great Shannon!
I usually grab a small pot of natural yoghurt and some fresh fruit eg: melon banana, grapes berries toothpicks and vegies like celery carrots cucumber, the children spike the fruit and vegies and dip into the yoghurt.
Spiking the fruit and vegies is such a great idea lizzyg! might do that myself next time 🙂
My skinny little toddler is a very poor eater and, at almost 3, still has never ever eaten cheese, eggs or meat of any type, so my go-to snacks are always protein-based. My latest discovery are little bags of fried broadbreans (fava beans) from the supermarket – they taste just like little chips except they’re about 25% protein, so they’re really great for him. And all kids love salty things so as long as I don’t tell the other kids they’re actually a vegetable, they love them too!
Wow Soni, I’ve never seen those. I will need to check them out! (Fran)
They’re made by Partner Foods – they also do roasted chickpeas too, which are also high in protein but my toddler isn’t as interested in eating them as he is the broadbeans. They’re roasted breadbeans, not fried – I just read the packet.
Rice cakes are always a winner (or corn etc…) however they can be
plain, dipped, spread with sweet, savoury, served with cheese. Its easy,
healthy and very last minute grabbble!
They’re great, I love them myself!
I always have cans of baby corn spears in the pantry… My daughter loves crunching and munching away on these. They are especially good when she is teething and I put them in the fridge so they are nice and cold!
Sweet corn fritters are a huge hit with the kids and are great for when we go out and about.
Fresh sweet corn on the cob. Boil for ten minutes then they’re ready to go. Delicious and healthy.
In summer it is always a dish of watermelon scooped into little balls – fun to eat and minimal mess!
Dried fruit, fresh fruit, vegemite sandwich
Mini Rice cakes /Rice wheels… A few crumbs maybe, but generally they go in the mouth whole so less mess in the car than many other snacks. They also come in small packs so I can leave one in the car or nappy bag for “emergency hungers”!
Coles brand baked fruit bars 🙂
As my son is gluten free I have to think ahead sometimes. Usually it’s things like kabana, rice cakes, fruit, carrot sticks. Mostly things that don’t come pre packaged!
Usually fruit, Sakatas (kids love the seaweed ones), squeeze yogurt, sandwiches, home made pikelets, pizza or Vegemite and Cheese pull apart I make in the slow cooker…. Waay to many ideas lol.. For drinks I they ALWAYS have their water bottles (paranoid of dehydration) and usually a fruit box or a milkshake if they are good…. My 3 girls eat a lot!!
Pinwheels are my favourite go to snack.. always colourful and easily made with things from the pantry, i make them with lebanese bread and fillings are always varied.. avacado or vegimite and grated cheese, honey and banana, sometimes carrot, lettuce and homus. Just top the bread, roll and slice into rounds. It looks great and allways eaten.
Rice cakes, I love the flavoured ones but my son will eat even plain ones with nothing on them. Quick and easy to grab a packet when I’m in a rush and I’m pretty sure he thinks its a treat because it has the word “cake” in it.
Crackers are my favourite, no mess and stay fresh. Banana’s are great too.
Fruit Salad. Not because its healthy but because its sweet and also hydrating…im addicted.
Grapes and bananas. Healthy treat and easy to pack 🙂
Bananas are my go to, I have three toddlers and it’s a quick out the door snack, there is no prep needed and is Eco friendly as it doesn’t have any extra packaging, when we do our shop in store my partner will run in and buy them first and we are set no crying for chocolate or any other confectionary when we are at the checkout.
Corn Thins (my daughter loves them!) or Barbecue Shapes
muesli bars are always good to keep on hand 🙂 I carry some of those and an apple or mandarin for each child
Grapes and rice crackers! My kids love them and it always leaves them feeling happy 😃
All 3 of my children love mini apple muffins. I’d love to say home made, but honestly, we regularly grab a pack from Coles. Tasty, filling and great when we are on the go after school and to and from activities. I love them too 🙂
Snakata rice crackers are my go to snack for the kids… All 3 will sit down and share the packet!
A banana and a Chobani yogurt pouch. Fast, portable, allergy free (my Son has lots), great any time of year and, best of all, it’s super healthy!!
Rice crackers and fruit or sultana’s quick easy and satisfies mum too 🙂
Strawberries and grapes are our go to snack. Healthy, colourful and YUMMY!!!
Apricot delights are our current go to especially homemade. Have to keep a good supply up
Sour cream and chive delite’s. They are just a special treat for traveling and squeezy yogurts
Crackers (Savoy) and the mini tubs of hommus are one of my faves. Great when you have no bread too 😉 we love lots of fruit too especially now my kids don’t need apples cut up 🙂
My toddler loves roasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds mixed in with sultanas and dried apricots. It’s our own little “trail mix”. When he’s a bit older I hope to add in some nuts but we haven’t introduced them to him as yet though.
Our go to is grab an avo and rice cakes. No mess no fuss and always a hit!
Piklets are defently my go to snack with my 3.5 year old.. easy to pack and yummy with a spread or just on their own when in a real hurry..always buy a packet and freeze half for later in the week
If I don’t bring food, fruit scones from the bakery work a treat!
My favorite is carrot sticks and corn relish dip.
Yoghurt top muslie bars great healthy on the go snack
Loving reading all these snack ideas! Our go to is plain old bananas. We always have them in the house and they require minimal prep when out and about and yet are pretty filling for the kids so a win win for me!
Coles cheese rice crackers
Its either mini cupcakes where only the icing is eaten, or donuts. I want something that the kids are going to want ro eat. Even if it is only the tpp half of a cup cakem
Popcorn! I try to remember to pop a fresh bag before a play group meet. Always a fave! Otherwise, sultanas, watermelon and grapes are my other go to snacks! Im not a bake a tart or cookies kind of mum! So I play the healthy fruit card hehehe
Bananas or mandarins (no cutting required) and babybel cheese
Fruit or a packet of rice crackers if I’m in a hurry. If I have a bit more time I’ll air pop a big bowl of popcorn and add a bit of butter and salt – or nothing if it’s for littlies
A banana – no containers required! Or mixed fruit (grapes, strawberries, sultanas, melons) in a small container. I also had rice crackers or Arrowroot biscuits in a container in my hand bag in case of an emergency when we’re out. Which, with a two-year-old, is almost always!
Every time I go out, my kids bag includes, bananas which are easy to grab. I also always have individual apple bars or small pkts of tiny teddys, coles brand cheese & cracker pkts, either cold ones or from the cupboard, with no fail coles brand squishy yogurt which is always a winner & sometimes ill make them a quick peanut butter & honey or avocado & cheese sandwich as an addition. I always come home with all snacks eaten from all my 3 boys 🙂
Fruit is my main go to, then I will pack some home made treats or cucumber rounds, cheese and rice crackers. My kids absolutely love the home made goodies
Sultanas and frozen muffins, which by snack time are nice and yummy and soft. 🙂
Always have a lunchbox filled with snacks and ready to go for mr 4. Sultanas, cheese & crackers, muesli bar, piece of fruit & a packet of tiny teddies ☺
Home made fruit & veg purée for little miss (7mnths).
Group gatherings – I’m a home made mixed berry muffins kind of mum!
Whipped up the night before and packed ready to go (so long as daddy doesn’t find them) haha 😝
Bega Cheese sticks and Jatz Clix, both great on their own or together and I find stays with them longer than other snacks
I always have cashews and sultanas in the nappy bag! and I throw in some fruit or some banana/coconut bread if we will be out more then a couple of hours!
Cheese & crackers are great and also like little bags of popcorn
The good old banana. It’s the best energy snack on the market! It’s healthy AND cheap!
Hands down every time. A BANANA!
Popcorn, everyone loves it and it always gets eaten 🙂
I either buy the pre made snack bags or make it up fresh and do different flavours (salt, butter, icing sugar or salted caramel)
Frozen grapes! The kids think they have struck gold when little bags of frozen goodness come out of the freezer!
Our snacks are sultanas, carrot sticks, muesli bars & a box of Shapes
Crackers are my go to snack, easy portable and almost no mess.
Kids adore banana sliced lengthways with peanut butter smothered on top!
OR for allergy friendly get togethers make up a super quick batch of fruit & marshmallow kebabs! Slide chunks of banana, strawberries and melon onto skewers with marshmallows.
Muesli Bars – it’s sweet and tasty but not as unhealthy as chocolate bar or chips!
Orange and mandarin pieces – great little energy hits full of goodness
popcorns, grapes,strawberries, carman bars,sultanas and carrot & cucumber sticks – all healthy and takes very little time to pack…
Bananas and grapes. I usually bake banana choc chip muffins on a Sunday from a really simple recipe I have. They are delicious and stay fresh for at least a week. The family love them.
Coles brand fruit filled bars, saltanas or piklets are always a winner in my house. They keep the little ones quiet for awhile, fill tiny bellies and are so easy to throw in the handbag and go.
Sultanas/museli bars/squuezy yoghurts/popcorn and I make small vegemite and cheese scrolls
These can be given on-the-go whilst travelling in the car.
alternate between banana, cheesy parmesan toast, garlic bread, le snak, sultanas, squeeze yogurt.
Definately would have to be cheese cubes, carrot and celery sticks with hommus and rice crackers
Keep it Simple! Mandarin or seaweed rice crackers – always a winner, no prep required, no mess, no fuss. A cut up apple if you have a spare 30 seconds before you leave!
Apples & jatz & popcorn. Don’t need to remember a cold bag for them! 🙂
Popcorn. Plain for healthy snack or flavoured for a treat.
Go to snack – full fat yogurt with blueberries and mango pieces (frozen bite size chunks in Nanna’s brand) so easy, yummy and healthy – Nixie LOVES it <3
Sultanas, nutrigrain and cheese is a winner here at the moment!
Coles Iced donuts, cheap, easy and always a winner!
Yoghurt coated sultanas !! kids and i love them also
I make up some cheese pastry sticks. They only take about 25 minutes to make and cook and everyone loves them. Grab 2 puff pastry sheets brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with cheese. Squash the sheets together, cut into fingers and twist. Then cook for about 10 minutes. Love them.
My Son loves to take Avocado’s out with us and I am not complaining they are Portable, easy to eat and Nutritious too.
a milk arrowroot biscuit. He loves them and it will keep him amused for a little while
Perfectly wrapped, easy to carry, simple to eat…just peel! Bananas…so good for you and yummy!
I make cereal bars. Works with all cereal types we use. I just add in some dates, coconut & honey. Press down firmly, cut into fingers. You can mix up the ingredients.
Fruit, muesli bars, sultanas, yo-yo biscuits, tiny teddies
My go to snack would Definately have to be Lebanese Bread wrapped with Kraft Cheddar Cheese, so simply to make on our way out to soccer matches on Saturday mornings. Throw in seasonal fruit, like Mandarins or Bosch Pears makes it too easy!!!
Plain popcorn lightly salted. I have a popcorn machine and the kernels are super cheap. Whole grains, fibre and antioxidants are wrapped up in this simple snack and kids love it. I pop a giant batch and bag it up in small zip lock bags. Simple grab a few bags and go! Plus as an added bonus if I’m really stressed I’ll pop a special “stress” batch for myself with the lid off and sit back and relax with a nice cold glass of chardonnay! Watching as they pop all over the place! Pure mayhem and hilarious for the whole family.
Dried apples and bananas! They are yummy and kids think they are like lollies!
My kids love the Coles brand caramel popcorn ( the most delicious popcorn you can buy) or cheese sticks. I just throw them in my bag and run out the door.
When we’re out and about my go to snack for Miss 5 and Miss 3 is a small container of trail mix, crackers/pretzels, string cheese(I freeze them so that they don’t go mushy while we’re out) and lastly some fruit.
It has to be apples…sliced 4 times from top to bottom making a square in the center around the core (which is now a rectangle shaped column) leave it intact and wrap an elastic band around it to keep it going brown. Great for school lunches too, because they can just pull the elastic band off and the apple falls into segments!
Definitely a banana. Quick and easy
We all love trail muesli bars. They are packed with healthy nuts, fruit and oats. A quick sweet snack on the go.
Sultanas and milk arrowroot biccies… Only problem is if you give them in the car you find sultanas for week – lol!
cinammon crumble muffins, yum yum. Just but the packet mix from coles, stir it up with some eggs and water and into the oven it goes, 25 minutes, yum yummy muffins the kids love them!!