Healthy Bedtime Snacks for Kids

When bedtime approaches, children sometimes become hungry, either genuinely or in hopes of delaying bedtime. In either situation, providing your child with a healthy snack can help him to sleep better and creates an opportunity to give him more nutrition. There are a variety of snacks you can give you child before bed that are both healthy and tasty.

Fruit

• Fruits are naturally sweetened foods that children enjoy. Encourage your child to eat an apple, strawberries, grapes or an orange to satisfy bedtime hunger. Bananas are also ideal because they contain natural muscle relaxers -- magnesium and potassium -- and will help your child fall asleep. Many children enjoy peanut butter with bananas. Create a fruit smoothie by combining your child's favorite fruits with low-fat milk blended together. Other fruit snacks include applesauce and fruit cups.

Ants on a Log

• This is a healthy snack that children can make themselves. Spread peanut butter on a celery stalk and sprinkle with raisins. Substitute the peanut butter with cheese or raisins with peanuts, or other alternatives, depending on the likes and dislikes of your child.

Cereal

• Giving your child cereal as a bedtime snack is not unheard of. However, when given at bedtime, choose a cereal that is low in sugar and high in fiber. Consider adding fruit to the cereal. Often, children like cereal dry when eaten as a snack.

Cheese

• Cheese is a versatile food high in calcium that can compliment almost any snack. A grilled cheese sandwich is a favorite among many children. Cheese crackers are also a healthy snack choice. Consider giving stringed or cubed cheese with her favorite vegetable.

Graham Crackers and Peanut Butter

• Graham crackers are an alternative to saltine crackers. Graham crackers served with peanut butter are an ideal healthy bedtime snack. Break the graham crackers in two, spread peanut butter on one cracker and cover with the other cracker. Alternatively, serve applesauce with graham crackers for a bedtime snack.

Oatmeal

• Primarily a breakfast food, oatmeal can be served as a snack as well. Warm your child's favorite flavor of oatmeal and blend it with milk. Consider adding his favorite fruit to make a more tasty snack.

Yogurt

• With many flavors to choose from, yogurt is an ideal bedtime snack for kids. Consider adding pieces of your child's favorite fruit to yogurt. You might also consider making a yogurt frozen pop to be given as an alternative to ice cream.