The Best Packaged Snacks for School

Make packing lunch easier and give your kids healthy, yummy snacks at lunchtime.

August 21, 2023

By: Amanda Mushro

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Photo By: Jose Luis Pelaez

Snacks for the New School Year

We are always looking for ways to make packing lunches for our kids easier. However, the easy options — like packaged snacks — aren’t always the healthiest. So, we’ve rounded up a few healthier snacks you’ll want to add to your grocery cart and your kids lunchboxes. These are the foods they'll absolutely love, and you'll feel great about packing them.

This Bar Saves Lives

Not only are these yummy bars school-safe, but they also come in a variety of flavors kids will love (like s’mores and chocolate chip!). Each bar is packed with a full serving of fruits and veggies and they don’t contain any of the things you don’t want, like GMOs. Best of all, each purchase goes toward food donation for hungry kids around the world!

BUY IT: Walmart, $29.99 (15 Count, 3 Boxes)

Crunchy Rice Rollers

These crunchy treats are organic, school-safe, and yummy! Each individual pack comes with two rolls that are made from simple ingredients. Try the variety pack so your kids can sample all of the flavors: apple cinnamon, sea salt caramel, mixed berry, and cinnamon churro.

BUY IT: Amazon, $24.99

Freeze-Dried Strawberries

This snack is delicious enough to eat on its own or on top of yogurt, smoothies, or an acai bowl. Freeze-dried fruit is a crunchy and healthy option for lunches and snacks. There are plenty of brands to try, but we like this version from Target!

BUY IT: Target, $7.29

Nature’s Bakery Fig Bar

Grab this variety pack from Nature’s Bakery for a soft and sweet, cookie-like option. The fig bar is absolutely delicious and packed with whole grains. Your kids can enjoy it on its own or dip it in yogurt or a smoothie at lunch or snack time.

BUY IT: Walmart, $21.28

Stretch Island Fruit Leather

Fruit leather is a lunchbox staple! Stretch Island provides kids with a fun snack without all of the extra sugar and added ingredients. The variety pack comes with cherry, apple, strawberry, grape, raspberry, and apricot — and each strip contains 1/4 cup of real fruit.

BUY IT: Amazon, $19.99

Bear Bites

For a sweet treat that’s packed with plenty of protein, these graham crackers by Kodiak Cakes are a great lunchbox option. The crackers come in three flavors: honey, chocolate, and cinnamon — all of which make great after-school snacks as well.

BUY IT: Amazon, $36.99 (3 Boxes)

GoGo Applesauce

GoGo Squeez offers a variety of fruit pouches that kids of all ages will love. They’re the perfect snack to toss into a lunchbox and they’re easy for kids to open and enjoy. They even have larger pouches for kids with bigger appetites, and pouches that contain veggies — so you can feel good about checking off all of the food groups.

BUY IT: Amazon, $10.29

Pirate’s Booty

Pirate's Booty won’t last long in your house because your kids will want these cheesy puffs in their lunchboxes every single day. This snack is gluten-free, peanut and tree nut-free, and it contains no artificial colors or preservatives. With these snack-sized packs, they are perfect for lunches, on-the-go snacking, or an after-school treat.

BUY IT: Amazon, $14.38 (24 Count)

Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs

If your kids love a crunchy and salty snack at lunchtime, try Hippeas instead of chips. Hippeas come in a variety of flavors, like white cheddar or barbeque, and they’re packed full of protein and fiber.

BUY IT: Amazon, $22.99 (12 Count)

Noka Superfood Smoothie Pouches

Smoothies are a great way to make sure your kids are getting plenty of fruits and veggies. Since smoothies aren’t really lunchbox-friendly, these pouches from Noka are a great option. Each pouch is packed with protein and superfoods, they taste delicious, and they don’t need to be frozen or refrigerated. They are perfect for lunchboxes!

BUY IT: Amazon, $25.64

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 20 Great School Lunchboxes for Kids, The Coolest Backpacks for the New School Year, 10 Cool Pencil Cases for the New School Year

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