Inexpensive Healthy Snacks for Kids

Creating healthy, inexpensive snacks for kids can be challenging for busy parents. Children can be picky eaters and reluctant to try new foods, while peewee peer pressure can lead to an affinity for expensive, packaged snacks. Making frugal snacks that appeal to still-developing palettes is possible with some creativity. Making snacks colorful and visually appealing helps up the "wow" factor. You'll save money and will have more control over your child's diet.

Ants on a Log and Variations

• Finger-friendly celery sticks provide vitamin C and fiber.

  Peanut butter and other nut butters are packed with protein, which is so essential for growing children. One creative way to serve nut butter to kids is to make "Ants on a Log." Cut up some celery and fill the concave part with peanut butter; this is the "log." Sprinkle with raisin "ants."

  Kids also tend to enjoy nut butters smeared on fruit slices, such as apples, pears and bananas. It's an inexpensive way to make sure they are getting fiber, vitamins and protein, all in one shot.

DIY Trail Mixes

• Kids will enjoy making their own trail mixes.

  Kids may enjoy snacks more if they participate in the preparation. Even very young children can make their own inexpensive trail mix with a little help from an adult. Create a healthy "trail mix buffet" by filling plastic containers with non-perishable whole foods, such as dried fruit, nuts, granola, whole-grain pretzels, whole-grain, sugar-free cereals and carob chips. Using a spoon, children can mix and match to create a different trail mix each day. Store the mix in plastic zippered bags to bring to school or on trips.

Smoothies

• Smoothies are a versatile way to get kids to consume more fruit.

  Smoothies are healthy, frugal "milk shakes" that kids from ages one to 99 tend to enjoy. They are a snap to make, are naturally sweet and are packed with vitamins and fiber. The flavor and nutrition possibilities are endless. All you need is a blender.

  Figure on about 1 cup of soy, rice or coconut milk or yogurt per serving. Toss in some fresh or frozen fruit, such as raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, mangos and pineapple. You can even make a chocolate peanut butter smoothie by using chocolate soy milk and peanut butter.

  Sliced up, frozen bananas make nutritious, thick smoothie bases. Simply peel overripe bananas and freeze in tightly sealed plastic bags. To make smoothies even thicker, toss in some graham or animal crackers.

  To get your kids to consume more greens, you can even add a handful of spinach or kale to the fruit smoothie. The strong taste of the berries obliterates the taste of the veggies.

Homemade Ice Pops

• Making your own ice pops is easy--and frugal.

  Making ice pops from scratch is a snap, and they make refreshing, healthful treats and provide kids with extra hydration during the summer months. They are also colorful, which can make them appear attractive to kids. You can usually buy pop molds at dollar stores, and they pay for themselves after one use. Your imagination is your only limit.

  Fill the trays with juices, yogurts or chocolate soy milk. You can even add whole berries or carob chips. To get a "parfait" effect, fill the trays one-third full with one kind of fruit juice or liquid (mango juice, for example). Let that freeze, then fill one-third with a contrasting color liquid (vanilla yogurt, for example). Once that hardens, top off with yet another contrasting color liquid (cranberry juice, for example).