One of the most challenging things about kids heading back to school is knowing what to pack for lunch and snacks. Kids are notoriously picky eaters, and with the distraction of friends and lunchroom chaos, if the food isn't to their liking, they might not eat at all, which is no bueno!
Plus, many schools have precautions in place for kids with allergies, meaning that food with nuts, and even dairy or eggs, can often be banned, and with good reason.
But don't worry, there are plenty of healthy, school-safe snacks that kids will actually enjoy eating.
We found 10 of the best snacks and lunchbox additions for kids heading back to school that are editor- and shopper-approved, including seed butter, natural fruit snacks, pre-made meals, and more.
Check them out.
Sunbutter Seed Butter, Pack of 6
$39
from
You'll be hard-pressed to find a school that allows regular peanut butter in its classrooms. But if your kid loves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, you can turn to Sunbutter, a nut-free alternative that is allergy friendly and tastes delicious. It's free from peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, fish, shellfish, and soy and is sure to be a back-to-school pantry staple.
Review: "This is a great substitute for PB. Our kids all enjoy it so much. We enjoy the crunchy as well!"
Wholly Guacamole Minis
These mini guacamoles are perfect for your child's lunchbox paired with some pita chips or carrots. Plus they are loaded with lots of healthy ingredients and come in a pack of six to last the entire school week.
Review: "If you're not planning on eating a whole bag of chips by yourself, and you just want a little guac to dip or put on toast, this is the thing. The larger container goes brown really fast once you open it if you don't eat the whole thing in one sitting. These are just the perfect little size."
Ithaca Squeeze
We've been using snack pouches for our kids for years, but this is the first time we've seen a hummus pouch. This lunchbox friendly snack is healthy, mess-free, and delicious. It's also packed with plant-based protein to keep kids full.
Made Good Granola Bars, 40 Count
Granola bars are a yummy treat but can often have not-so-good ingredients. These Made Good bars are organic and made from gluten-free oats, and are allergy friendly and nut-free.
Review: "Made Good are a great product for my kiddo with food allergies. It is a quality brand and we don't have to worry about the food safety aspect. (I just have to hide them from my daughter, or she will simply inhale the lot as she loves them.)"
Bob Snail Fruit Snacks, 30 Count
These delicious fruit snacks will satisfy any sweet tooth and give a natural boost of energy. They come in raspberry, mango, and pear and contain no added sugar.
Review: "This was a gift for my niece and nephew who have food allergies. When I got the box it looked like someone had taken a couple of the fruit rolls. The kids loved the flavor and their mom did too. But maybe you could seal the box a little better so that it prevents such easy access. This is a wonderful snack."
Homefree Mini Cookies, 10 pack
These cookies are school-safe and easy to pack in your child's lunchbox or bring as a treat for the entire class. They are made with whole grains and contain no trans fats, cholesterol, palm oil, or high fructose corn syrup.
Review: "We've had Homefree cookies for years, after finding them at a Gluten-Free & Allergy-Friendly Expo. Not only are they safe for my son with celiac disease and nut allergies, but it's safe for his friends with nut, egg or dairy issues, too! Plus the mini bags are easy to take on-the-go or share in a safe way. I love this sampler for all of the different flavors, most of which we can't find in stores."
Yumble Kids Lunches
Starting at
$3.49
from
If you want a healthy and super easy option for packing your child's lunches, look no further than Yumble. This brand was designed as weekly subscription service that delivers prepared, balanced, and delicious kids meals right to the doors of busy parents.
Review: "This is one of my all-time favorite companies and it makes it so easy and stress free to feed my kids food they will actually eat."
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, CafeMom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
