These Easy After-School Snacks Keep the Hanger Away Until Dinner
Come September, parents have enough to deal with, between school schedules, after-school schedules, sorting out time for homework (and creating a space to instill those good study habits!), and then dealing with weeknight dinners, before, uh, passing out on the couch in front of a Hallmark movie.
So when the first thing they say walking through the door in the afternoon is "I'm hungry" you might find yourself at the end of your rope! Instead of sending them to the fridge or pantry to hunt for themselves (and potentially depriving yourself of necessary dinner ingredients) why not have an after-school snack already prepared, or easy to make?
I'll admit, for me, sometimes the idea of having an extra thing ready for my kids to eat is total #ParentingGoals, but when I can get my act together and have something ready for my girls, to tide 'em over before dinner, the whole day goes better.
You deserve that same feeling of success. To help you out, I've gathered up a handful of my favorite after-school snacks to have on hand. Some are total sweet-tooth treats—absolutely worth it if I know there was a big test or a hard assignment one of my kids had to tackle. Others are healthier (or healthy-ish) — better than something off the shelf and filled with preservatives, and not big enough to ruin dinner.
I hope you find them inspiring! Got an after-school snack you like to make that your kids love? Let me know in the comments!
More smart parenting ideas from Country Living:
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Tuna Melt Sandwich
Want something healthy on offer? Give your kids a snack with some seriously old-school flavor! This light, flavorful sandwich tastes very good, and will tide 'em over easily.
Get the recipe for Tuna Melt Sandwich.
Homemade Yogurt with Berries and Granola
Fresh, homemade yogurt is a revelation. It's so easy to make—and tastes so good—you'll wonder why you haven't been making it yourself this whole time.
You can have it in the fridge, ready to go for whenever hunger strikes!
Get the recipe for Homemade Yogurt with Berries and Granola.
Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies
Got a kiddo with a sweet tooth? We get it. If you're trying to sneak veggies in wherever you can, these tasty sandwich cookies have carrots, pecans, and raisins in 'em.
Get the recipe for Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies.
Alabama Orange Rolls
This classic Southern brunch treat also makes a delicious after school snack that's sure to disappear quickly!
Get the recipe for Alabama Orange Rolls.
Classic Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
What more time-honored after school snack is there, besides chocolate chip cookies and a big ol' glass of milk? (See here if you like your cookies a little crispier.)
Get the recipe for Classic Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Kitchen Sink Layer Bars
Packed with pretzels, almonds, coconut, and plenty of chocolate chips, these treats are sure to please!
Get the recipe for Kitchen Sink Layer Bars.
Spicy-n-Sweet Snack Mix
This sweet and spicy mix is chock-full of nuts, crunchy chickpeas, and sesame sticks.
Get the recipe for Spicy-n-Sweet Snack Mix.
Chocolate-Cherry Oatmeal Cookies
These delicious oatmeal cookies are surefire winners.
Get the recipe for Chocolate-Cherry Oatmeal Cookies.
Banana Bread with Salted Peanut Streusel
Here's a sweet treat that has it all: It's easy to make, keeps well, tastes delicious, sneaks in some protein, and it won't ruin their appetite for dinner.
Get the recipe for Banana Bread with Salted Peanut Streusel.
Carrot-Nut Bread with Sour Cream Glaze
Want get a few more veggies into your kids' tummies? This sweet carrot bread is just the thing.
Get the recipe for Carrot-Nut Bread with Sour Cream Glaze.
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
Make these easy puff-pastry-based snacks on Sunday and you've got a healthy treat all week.
Get the recipe for Ham and Cheese Pinwheels.
Mummy Pumpkin Hand Pies
These seasonal treats are great after-school snacks. You can also just leave the candy googly eyes off, for a tasty fall treat that isn't Halloween-themed.
Get the recipe for Mummy Pumpkin Hand Pies.
Cheddar, Bacon, and Chive Quick Bread
Got a kiddo whose taste buds flare up faster for savory things than sweet? Serve them up a slice of this easy-to-make bread!
Get the recipe for Cheddar, Bacon, and Chive Quick Bread.
Pimento Cheese Sandwiches
These delicious finger sandwiches get their bite from sharp cheddar cheese, cayenne pepper, and horseradish.
Get the recipe for Pimento Cheese Sandwiches.
Pigs In Blankets
Is there a better snack than pigs in blankets? We use frozen pastry dough and all-beef hot dogs for these crowd-pleasing bites.
Get the recipe for Pigs In Blankets.
Goldfish Crackers
Treat your children to something special with this homemade version of the popular packaged food. Best part is, you know exactly what's going into them.
Get the recipe for Goldfish Crackers.
Peanutty Cap'n Crunch Candy Bars
These peanut butter cereal butters are a snap to make and kids will eat 'em right up!
Get the recipe for Peanutty Cap'n Crunch Candy Bars.
Loaded Nachos
They want something warm, and you want something easy. The solution: Nachos packed with healthy toppings.
Get the recipe for Loaded Nachos.
Crispy Oven Chicken Fingers
Baked chicken fingers are easy to whip up, and far healthier than the fried, fast-food kind.
Get the recipe for Crispy Oven Chicken Fingers.
Milk and Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies and milk are a match made in heaven.
Get the recipe for Milk and Chocolate Chip Cookies.
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