It’s been a long and busy day for your kids at school and they come back home hungry and tired. While a hug from mom is the first pick-me-up tonic they want, they also look forward to something super yummy to eat. Something that’ll not just appease their hunger at the moment, but also re-energize them for the remaining activities of the day, be it sports classes, music classes, tuitions or just fun and play!
Mothers are always eager to appease their children, and are enthusiastic to prepare interesting kids after school snacks to serve them when they come back from school, but it is just natural to run out of ideas after a few days. And kids! They can sometimes be difficult to please. They get bored of having the same kind of food every day, and if you don’t get innovative, they crave for junk food – which is every mom’s nightmare!
If you eavesdrop on typical moms’ conversations, you will find that they often return to the topic of what they can cook for kids, be it for their tiffin dabba or to have kids after school snacks. Discovering recipes that are fun, easy and quick, yet loved by kids is every mom’s top priority.
So, here we come with our inputs on the topic!
Nobody knows better than you that kids want variety! So, do not repeat the dishes often. Try healthy Oats Dosa Healthy Oats Dosa instead of Dosa. In fact, at the beginning of the week, you can plan and make a list of after-school snacks to prepare, so that you can avoid repetition. You can even rope your child into this activity, so they can share their thoughts on what they want to eat, which makes it doubly interesting to eat them. Sometimes, when you have more time on hand, change the dish for the better to pleasantly surprise them when they get home!
Kids after School Snacks, introduce veggies, fruits and pulses
Always try to introduce lots of veggies, fruits and pulses into the snacks you make so that the kids get a good nutrient top-up like Fruit Chaat. You can also substitute refined flour with healthier options, and try to sweeten your snacks naturally with fruits, honey, etc. instead of using white sugar. With small substitutions and best practices, you can start paving the way for your children’s long-term good health.
Your kids after school recipes depends on their schedule. If they are coming home from school, you can prepare snacks hot and fresh and serve them with love. On the other hand, if they will be popping out of school and into some other class directly, then you need to pack something in the morning itself. Jar snacks are ideal for this because it will remain in the dabba for over 6-7 hours.
Hot and fresh pancakes and spongy dhoklas are ever-popular kids after school snacks, especially if they are made freshly. The aroma of the pancakes and the crunch of the veggies are definitely alluring!
1. Mini Rava Vegetable Pancakes
2. Poha Dhokla
Nothing like a sandwich, toast or open sandwich to please kids! Rather than the usual veggie or cheesy stuff, try using pulses, as in the Moong Dal Toast...
A smoothie is always handy when you are short of time. They are easy and quick but lusciously tasty...
Who can resist the temptation of munching on succulent, simply seasoned corn?
And of course, the ever popular rolls and sandwiches...
6. Chapati Roll with Vegetables
To give the snack a healthy twist, try something like the Oats Bhel...
8. Oats Bhel
Or go for something from down South...
When you don’t know what to make, go for aloo because every kids loves it!
10. Masaledar Aloo
Whatever kids after school snacks you have decided to make, ensure that all the ingredients are ready before your kids come home, so that you can cook and serve the food immediately. They are bound to be hungry after school, and might have to rush to another class.
Nowadays it has become common for kids to go straight from school to their evening classes, to save time travelling. In that case, you will have to pack the after-school snacks and give it to the kids early in the morning itself. So, you have to go for absolutely dry snacks, which will not get soggy after so many hours. Jar snacks are best. You can prepare them earlier whenever you are free, and quickly pack them in the mornings. They will be convenient to make and pack, yet tasty and satiating to fill the young one’s tummy!
Muffins made with whole wheat flour are good options, because they are healthy and sumptuous too. You can try other baked foods like cookies or loaves too. The chikki is an all-time favourite, time-tested Indian snack that you can pack any day!
1. Whole Wheat Carrot and Raisin Muffins
2. Kurmura Chikki, Murmura Chikki Recipe
3. Eggless Orange and Tutti Frutti Loaf
Jar snacks are handy. You can prepare them in the weekend and use throughout the week. The jar snacks might be deep-fried or even baked healthily.
4. Ribbon Sev
The thepla is an interesting dish that lasts for 2-3 days if prepared properly. Many people take theplas along on long journeys, which proves its ability to stay good for a long time. So, you can comfortably make and pack theplas in your kids’ after-school dabba.
6. Thepla
Most jar snacks, including the traditional ones like Namak Para, are much-loved by kids because they are crunchy and tasty. But, even then, to avoid boredom, go for something innovative like the Dry Pasta Jar Snack, which is okay to have for gluten-sensitive kids too. You can also make the snacks using different flours.
9. Namak Para
10. Whole Wheat Flour Chakli Recipe
Talk to your kids often about food, so that they are aware of the taste and health aspects of what they eat. They will also open up and share ideas about what they wish to eat or what they do not like. You can also have a healthy discussion on what is junk and what is not, instead of preaching to them. A healthy dialogue always goes a long way.
Likewise, a little bit of creativity will also help. Add an element of fun to any dish you cook. Jazz up the garnishing, or crush the puris and top them with sev and chutneys to make it attractive for the kids. Think of new ways to present even the old stuff, so that the kids come home eagerly to see what’s on the table every day! Put the smile back on their faces before they head out to face the rest of the day!
We have a collection of 745 kids after school recipes or Kids after school snacks for you to cook and surprise your kids. Enjoy our Kids Food Articles below.