Whether you have little toddlers, active youngsters or trying teenagers, keeping the kids entertained and finding fun activities that keep them mentally and physically active can sometimes be a challenge during the holidays, no doubt about it. Another difficult task can be coming up with healthy snack ideas for the kids that are not only delicious but nutritious too. 

I am here to make your life and holiday season that little bit easier! To help I have reached out to our resident Happy Way nutritionist Malissa Fedele, to share with us some of her hot tips, go to recipes and favourite healthy snacks that will not only excite the kids, but are full of flavour and wholesome ingredients. Plus, whipping up some yummy treats in the kitchen is a great activity you can do together and it can provide some much needed fun and interaction away from the screens! Whether they are for an afternoon treat at home, or a healthy snack to pack in the beach bag, these snacks are simple, tasty and full of goodness!

1. Happy Way Snack Bars

These pocket sized snack bars are all natural, vegan, soy free, nut free, dairy free, gluten free and made right here in Australia. Available in three delicious flavours, Strawberry Whip, Banana Bang and Apple Cinnamon, they are sure to satisfy without the sugar high “rush” kids can get from a lot of sweet snacks. Instead, these Happy Way snack bars will fill up the tummies with slow releasing energy foods and the kiddies will gradually burn their energy until it’s time to mellow out for a nap.. Perfect to pack in the bag for on the go munchies. Grab some snack bars today!

2. Smoothies 

Smoothies are quick, easy and fuss free snacks for the kids at any time of the day! Blend a mix of fruits, veggies, oats, yoghurt, your milk of choice and a dash of Happy Way protein powder if you wish, for a healthy, nutritious snack that the kids will not only enjoy but also have fun making together. It’s a great way to ensure the kids are getting the nutrients they need whilst sneaking in lots of wholesome ingredients that they may usually be reluctant to have! Check out @happywayrecipes on Instagram for a heap of smoothie ideas for the kids. Two of my favourites are the Strawberries and Cream Smoothie and the Frosty the Snowman Smoothie which is perfect for this holiday season!

3. Protein balls

Protein balls are that perfect pocket sized snack that are great for on the go and packing in kids lunch boxes. Made with lots of wholesome ingredients like nuts, chia seeds, dates, almond butter, oatmeal and dried fruit, they can be a source of protein, fibre and are filled with antioxidants. The kids will love our Fairy Bread Protein Balls the same way that you loved Fairy Bread as a kid! 

4. Popcorn

Home-made popcorn is a simple, healthy snack for kids that you can pack in little ziplock bags for days out or have them enjoy at home as the perfect movie snack. Popcorn is a nutritious whole grain that you can air fry or cook in organic coconut oil as a healthy alternative. Try adding a little butter, parmesan or cinnamon as a healthy topping or check out this sweet alternative, Salted Caramel Popcorn. Be careful giving popcorn to younger children as it can be a choking hazard.

5. Yoghurt with fruit salad

A great, healthy snack for the warmer weather and super easy to make. Create a yummy fruit salad with all of your favourites - apples, strawberries, mango, banana, peaches, nectarines, berries, passionfruit, melon - add some healthy greek yoghurt and voila! 

6. Apple with cinnamon/peanut butter

Cut up apple wedges with a sprinkle of cinnamon are simple and delicious. Apples are full of antioxidants and cinnamon is one of the healthiest spices out there. Combine in a ziplock bag with a sprinkle of coconut sugar, give it all a good shake and pop in the fridge to cool and keep crisp. Serve with a dollop of almond butter for dipping or even peanut butter.

7. Nuts 

Nuts are a great source of fibre, healthy fats, protein, vitamins and minerals and are a simple and easy snack at any time of the day. It is recommended by the Australian Infant Feeding Guidelines that nuts and seeds be introduced to children as early as six months old in the form of butters or pastes to avoid choking. A nut or trail mix with seeds and dried fruit is a great healthy snack with nutritional benefits.

8. Popsicles

A healthy alternative from the store bought popsicles that are often filled with artificial sweeteners and flavours, homemade popsicles are great for warmer weather and can be made with fresh fruit, yoghurt and coconut milk/water. Blended together then dispersed into popsicle moulds, they can be frozen for a minimum of six hours or left overnight. 

See our Choc Banana Popsicles recipe or check out Jessica Gavin’s fruit popsicle recipes here. 

9. Home-made muffins

Get your bake on together in the kitchen by whipping up a batch of healthy, wholesome muffins. There are so many healthy and yummy recipes out there, but check out a couple of my faves -  Happy Way Banana Muffins, the delicious Salted Caramel Muffins or Vanilla and Strawberry Kids Muffins. The kids will wanna lick the bowl!

10. Baked sweet potato fries

A savoury snack that is popular amongst the adults too, sweet potato fries are a great alternative to french fries and are a super easy, healthy snack to make! Simply peel and cut the sweet potato into wedges, toss with a teaspoon of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and bake in the oven at 200-220C for roughly 20 minutes. Result = crispy, baked goodness!

11. Fruit skewers

A fun take on fruit salad or your standard piece of fruit, creating fruit skewers together is a fun way to get creative in the kitchen! Simply cut up your favourite fruits - apple, pineapple, melon, strawberries, banana - and have the kids design their own colourful, healthy fruit snack!

12. Homemade cookies

Another baked treat that the kids are sure to wanna help with, homemade cookies! There’s nothing like the smell of fresh cookies baking in the oven and these healthy recipes are sure to leave your kitchen smelling delicious! Try our Christmas Cookies to get into the festive season, Triple Chocolate Fudge Cookies, or the popular Peanut Butter Choc Chip Cookies.

13. Rice cakes with peanut butter and banana

One of the quickest, healthiest snacks to prepare, rice cakes with peanut butter and banana are filled with protein, magnesium and healthy carbs. Simply spread 1-1.5 teaspoon of peanut butter (or almond butter as an alternative) on each rice cake, top with sliced banana and sprinkle with chia seeds for added nutrition. You can also add a hint of honey or maple syrup if you prefer a vegan snack, for a touch of sweetness. Yum!!

14. Veggie sticks with hummus

Simple yet delicious, veggie sticks and hummus are a great savoury snack that you can put together quickly and will satisfy those savoury taste buds. Containing chickpeas, olive oil and garlic, hummus is one of those dips that tastes good with everything! I like to pair hummus with carrots as they are filled with lots of antioxidants, are an excellent source of Vitamin A and contain very little fats, but celery, cucumber and capsicum are also great options too. Check out Cookie and Kate for a delicious homemade hummus recipe.

15.  Healthy rocky road

The kids will love this healthy take on an old favourite! Filled with lots of healthy goodies like raw nuts, goji berries, dates, cinnamon and cacao powder, these are a great healthy snack to pack in lunch boxes and enjoy chilled in the warmer weather. Check out our Protein Rocky Road Slice recipe also. 

16. Homemade rice puff slice

A healthy twist on the famous choc rice crackles and store bought rice bars, Happy Way’s Chocolate Protein LCM Bars and Rice Puff Slice are a sweet treat that are sure to be a hit. Also try the Rainbow Treat Bars. 3 super easy recipes to make filled with lots of natural, healthy ingredients. 

17. Pita pizzas

Pita pizzas are one of my favourite healthy snacks to have during an afternoon or evening at home and they are sure to be one the kids will love too. Using whole wheat pita bread, add a thin layer of tomato sauce on top plus a variety of healthy toppings to create your own unique pizza! You can keep it simple with just tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, get creative with fresh spinach, fetta, olives and capsicum or add your favourite salami, ham or chicken for some protein. 

18. Chia pudding  

Chia seed pudding can be made with three simple ingredients - chia seeds, milk of choice and a sweetener if desired like honey or maple syrup. Topped with some nutritious fruits or berries, this snack is loaded with protein, fibre and healthy fats. Simply mix 2 tablespoons of chia seeds with ½ cup of milk and mix well so there are no clumps of seeds together. You can mix in honey along with the milk beforehand or add on top after at least 2 hours of refrigeration. It can be kept for up to 7 days in the fridge.

See Happy Way’s Chia Seed Pudding recipe.

19. Frozen fruit bites

Super healthy and with very few ingredients, these frozen fruit bites are tasty and refreshing! Place all of the below ingredients into a blender and blend well until smooth and creamy. Simply pour into ice cube moulds and place in the freezer to set overnight.

INGREDIENTS:⁣

▫️ 1 cup berries of choice ⁣

▫️ 1 1/2 cups full-fat greek yoghurt ⁣

▫️ 1 scoop Happy Way Berry whey protein ⁣powder

▫️ 1/2 cup shredded coconut ⁣

▫️ 1 tbsp chia seeds ⁣

20. Brownies

Brownies are a favourite amongst kids but there are many recipes out there that put a healthy spin on this sweet treat. Try the delicious Sweet Potato Brownies, Fudgy Choc Mint Brownies or the delicious Banana Blender Protein Brownies. A perfect healthy snack that the kids will love!

I asked Happy Way nutritionist, Malissa Fedele, for some of her tips and reasons behind the importance of feeding your kids healthy, nutritious snacks. 

Why is it important to have healthy snack options for kids instead of overly processed foods?

What can be some mental/physical side effects if kids don’t eat healthy snacks?

You have two adorable nieces, what are some of your favourite snacks to make with them and how much fun do you have cooking together?

My nieces and I love to get in the kitchen and make lots of delicious snacks! Cooking with kids is such a great way to educate them on foods, nutrients and what real foods look like. It’s a great way to introduce new fruits, veggies and other whole foods into their diet. I find that children are way more excited and keen to try new foods when they have cooked/prepared it themselves. A favourite in my kitchen is smoothies, protein balls and easy little treats like chocolate crackles and muffins! 

Making your own sweet treats and snacks at home from scratch is the best way to ensure that you know exactly what is going into your recipes and more importantly, your kids little bodies—and be sure to make a few sneaky extras for yourself too! 

Follow @happywayrecipes for more daily recipes and easy snack ideas!