11 Healthy Snacks to Pack in Your Kid's Backpack

“The snack should contain protein, fiber, and a little fat, which helps with satiety, such as a KIND nuts and spices bar, a Mini Babybel cheese, and piece of fruit, or hummus with raw veggies,” says Gans. So next time you go to pack your lunch for your kids, remember to include a brain-boosting midday snack to help them adjust to the long school days ahead.

The Daily Meal has rounded up some of our favorite snack time options so you can add healthy nutrients to their diet — plus a little kid-friendly fun — all with the portability of a backpack in mind.

Let your kids play with their food.  Part art project, part snack, these apple turtles will keep them entertained and full until dinner.

For the Apple Turtles recipe, click here.

This is an easy-to-make sushi that, well, isn’t sushi at all. This quick snack combines fresh bananas and peanut butter, neatly rolled in the topping of your choice to mimic a cute sushi roll that is a little easier for tiny hands to craft.

For the Banana ‘Sushi’ recipe, click here.

It is delicious, satisfying, and made with real food, which is more than can be said for its microwaveable counterparts. The key to its irresistible flavor? Nutritional yeast. Though common in vegan cuisine, this ingredient is not something most of us use every day. It's a deactivated yeast that is yellow in color, and it imparts a nutty, cheesy flavor when used as a condiment. — Christie Ellis

For the Cheesy Popcorn recipe, click here.

For the fall season, try these chia cornbread muffins. They can be used as snacks or a side dish. — Kimberly Daly

For the Chia Cornbread Muffins recipe, click here.

Put away the chips and try something healthy for a change. This snack is super tasty and also happens to be gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan. — Amie Valpone

For the Cinnamon Spiced Nuts recipe, click here.

Kids will love the addition of gummy worms and Goldfish, and parents will love the fiber-rich oat cereal snuck into this simple-to-make trail mix.

For the Gone Fishin’ Snack Mix recipe, click here.

Made with grapes, cherry tomatoes, and a few chocolate chips, these hungry caterpillars are perfect for a fun, healthy snack time. Even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy them! — Bolthouse Farms

For the Hungry Catepillars recipe, click here.

Pancakes can be a fun and healthy alternative to sandwiches in the lunch box — and who among us can get our kids to eat cottage cheese and wheat germ at school? Now we can! — Missy Chase Lapin

For the Rainbow Lunchbox Pancakes recipe, click here.

If you're looking for a way to give your favorite brownie recipe a healthy boost, look no further. The spinach, whole grains, and antioxidant-rich blueberries in these baked goods make them a healthier dessert. — Missy Chase Lapine

For the Sneaky Chef Brainy Brownie recipe, click here.

You only need four ingredients and a few minutes of prep work to create this wholesome and satisfying snack. Best of all, it can be made up to one day in advance. — Tessemae’s

For the Turkey Pinwheels recipe, click here.

Mixed nuts are a super healthy snack since they’re loaded with protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Take them up a notch by flavoring them with zesty ranch flavor and dried herbs. — Tessemae’s

For the Zesty Ranch Nut Mix, click here.