11 Healthy School Snacks for Kids, Picked by Kids

When you’re starting to shop for your kids’ school snacks, there are a few things you likely always consider:

Is it healthy? 

Is it simple enough to grab or prep on a busy weekday morning? 

And finally, the trickiest question of all… 

Will the kids actually eat it? 

In a perfect world, the best school snacks check all three boxes: easy, healthy, and tasty enough for kids to enjoy. At Thrive Market, that’s what we look for in every product we carry, but especially back to school school snacks, we choose for our smallest customers. Our kids’ snacks are made with only real, high-quality ingredients from brands we trust, but they’re also delicious — and even our own employees’ kids agree. 

We went straight to the source and asked the children of Thrive Market employees for healthy school snack for kids recommendations that your little ones will also love. Here’s an inside look at what the Thrive Market kiddos are most looking forward to seeing in their lunchboxes this school year. 

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Name: Mahi 

Age: 9

Favorite snack: Cookies

Why I love it: “They’re easy and delicious to eat.” 

What I’m looking forward to most this school year: “Meeting my teachers and friends in person.” 

Shop: Simple Mills Crunchy Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies 

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Name: Rostam 

Age: 5

Favorite snack: Veggie sticks

Why I love it: “Because they taste so good… and because they taste so good!”

What I’m looking forward to most this school year: “Recess, because it’s so much fun and because I love playgrounds.”

Shop: Thrive Market Brand Organic Veggie Sticks 

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Name: Holland 

Age: 9

Favorite snack: Chocolate hazelnut spread and crackers

Why I love it: “Because they’re chocolate and crackers!” 

What I’m looking forward to most this school year: “Seeing my friends again.” 

Shop: Artisana Organic Hazelnut Cacao Spread and Annie’s Organics Honey Grahams Crackers 

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Name: Sydney 

Age: 5

Favorite snack: Bunny graham crackers 

Why I love it: “I like them because I like the animals.” 

What I’m looking forward to most this school year: “I’m excited to make new friends.” 

Shop: Annie’s Organic Friends Bunny Grahams Crackers

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Name: Noah  

Age: 3.5

Favorite snack: Larabar kids’ bars

Why I love it: “Because they taste sweet and yummy, and I can eat them in the car.”

What I’m looking forward to most this school year: “Seeing my friends, playing cars and playing in the sandbox.

Shop: Larabar Cinnamon Swirl Kid Bars

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Name: Henry

Age: 5

Favorite snack: Cucumber, pretzels, and cauliflower sticks. I also like peanut butter and apples because who doesn’t like peanut butter?”

Why I love it: “Because they’re all crunchy!”

What I’m looking forward to most this school year: “Learning how to write very fast.”

Shop: Quinn Snacks Peanut Butter Filled Nuggets, From the Ground Up Sea Salt Cauliflower Pretzel Sticks

Other Healthy Back-to-School Snack Ideas For Kids

For even more school snack ideas, you’ll find endless inspiration from Thrive Market’s selection of tasty, organic kids’ snacks. These are some of the best healthy packaged snacks for kids! From crunchy chips filled with sneaky veggies to gummy snacks made with real fruit, you’ll feel good about tossing these grab-and-go snacks in your kids’ backpacks. 

CHOMPS Mini Grass-Fed Beef Chomplings, Original
These mini versions of CHOMPS’ original grass-fed beef sticks are the perfect size for your little ones. 

Thrive Market Organic Strawberry Apple Sauce with Probiotics
For kids who can’t get enough applesauce, these pouches are made with U.S.-grown apples and strawberries plus tummy-friendly active probiotic cultures. They’re super easy to eat (and pack!). 

Yum Earth Organic Fruit Snacks, Favorites, Snack Pack
Free from the top 9 common allergens and colored with fruit and vegetable juices (not synthetic dyes), these fruit snacks are ready for any lunch box [1].

Heavenly Hunks Gluten-Free Bites, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip
When they demand cookies but you want an option made with simple ingredients you can pronounce, stick with these.

Cerebelly Peppa Pig Smart Bar, Organic Blueberry, Banana & Sweet Potato
Perfect for a before-school breakfast or a midday snack, these kid-friendly bars are made with sweet potatoes, broccoli, bananas, and other nutritious ingredients. 

More Tips for Making Kids’ Snacks Healthier (and Easier) 

How to Pack a Healthy School Lunch  

​​A 5-Minute Back-to-School Treat Your Kids Will Love

Healthy Homeschool Snacks for Every Craving (Vegan, Paleo, and Gluten-Free)

Healthy school snacks for kids don’t have to be boring. With a few new ideas and a little dash of creativity, you can make your kids’ lunch the envy of the cafeteria.