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    Home » Snack Recipes

    Modified: Aug 1, 2025 · Published: Aug 23, 2013 by Vicky · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    10 Favorite After School Snacks

    9 shares


    The school day is finally over, and those hungry little faces come running through the door. Snack time doesn’t have to be one more thing on your already busy plate—it can be simple, happy, and full of little moments that make the afternoon easier.

    These ideas are quick to pull together, kid-approved, and perfect for keeping everyone fed without the fuss. Plus, if you’re looking for even more easy ways to keep after-school hunger in check, be sure to check out our Easy Snacks post.

    A calm, tasty afternoon is just a snack away!


    My kids start school next week after a busy day of learning and playing, I know they will be arriving home hungry. So I have pulled up our 10 Favorite After School Snacks. The kids enjoyed making these easy snacks with me almost as much as they loved eating them.

    Some of these work well in lunch boxes the next day too! If you have Star Wars fans at home, they will love these Star Wars Snacks for Kids.

    BEST TOOLS IN MAKING AFTER SCHOOL SNACKS

    A few simple tools can make snack prep way easier. A sturdy cutting board and small knife are perfect for quick chopping, while mixing bowls keep everything neat and ready to go.

    Measuring cups come in handy when you want the right balance, and a baking sheet is great for anything that needs a quick warm-up. Don’t forget storage containers for saving leftovers (if there are any!).

    No need for fancy gadgets—just the basics to keep things simple, fast, and stress-free.

    WHY YOU'LL LOVE AFTER SCHOOL SNACKS

    🕒 They’re super quick: No one wants to wait forever when they’re hungry—these snacks come together fast.

    😋 Kids actually eat them: No battles, no fuss, just happy little snackers.

    🧼 Easy cleanup: Less mess means more time to relax (or chase the kids around).

    🎨 Fun to mix and match: You can switch things up so it never gets boring.

    👨‍👩‍👧 Parent-approved: Simple, stress-free, and keeps everyone full until dinner.

    TIPS FOR MAKING AFTER SCHOOL SNACKS

    Tip 1: Keep it simple. Use ingredients you already have at home so snack time doesn’t turn into a big project.

    Tip 2: Get the kids involved! Let them mix, scoop, or sprinkle—snacks taste better when they help make them.

    Tip 3: Prep a little extra. Leftovers make the best quick bites for busy afternoons.

    FAQs ABOUT AFTER SCHOOL SNACKS

    Are these recipes okay to make with my kids?

    Absolutely! Most steps are safe and simple enough for kids to help with, which makes snack time more fun (and a little less work for you).

    How can I make snack time less messy?

    Use small bowls, lay out everything in one spot, and keep wet wipes or napkins nearby—it keeps cleanup quick and painless!

    Can picky eaters enjoy these?

    Yes! These snacks are super customizable, so you can easily adjust flavors or toppings to match your child’s taste.

    FAVORITE AFTER SCHOOL SNACKS

    School days can be long, and little tummies get hungry fast! This collection has plenty of easy options that keep kids happy without adding stress to your day. From quick bites you can prep ahead to simple treats the whole family can enjoy, these ideas make snack time feel effortless.

    1
    Bubble Wrap Stomp Painting
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    Bubble Wrap Stomp Painting
    Bubble wrap stomp painting lets kids jump, stomp, and make art all at once. It’s messy fun that lets kids burn energy while creating something colorful.
    Click here for activity
    2
    Make a Balloon Zip Line
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    Make a Balloon Zip Line
    As kids make their own zip line, they will learn about gravity and science and be amazed as a simple balloon into a mini science project at home.
    Click here for this activity
    3
    Painting Popcorn
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    Painting Popcorn
    This hands-on snack lets kids dip popcorn (and even mini marshmallows!) into brightly colored edible “paint” so they get to make art they can munch on. It’s a totally creative twist on snack time that’s quick to set up.
    Click here for this activity
    4
    Fruit Loop Towers
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    Fruit Loop Towers
    This fun fine motor activity lets kids build colorful rainbow towers using play dough, uncooked pasta, and Fruit Loops. The best part? Once the towers are done, they get to eat their creations!
    Click here for this activity
    5
    Fine Motor Skills Activity With Tongs pin
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    Fine Motor Skills Activity with Tongs
    Kids will use tongs and colorful pom‑poms to scoop and sort while strengthening their hand muscles. It’s a smart way to sneak in dexterity work disguised as a game!
    Click here for this activity
    6
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    Colorful Dancing Milk
    This cool activity lets kids make swirling, dancing bursts of color, all using items you already have in your kitchen. It’s like watching a mini rainbow come to life right before your eyes!
    Click here for this activity
    7
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    Bubble Wrap Art Prints
    This creative idea turns ordinary bubble wrap into a super fun painting tool. It’s hands-on art and sensory play rolled into one awesome activity.
    Click here for this activity
    8
    messforless.net
    Tape Resist Art with Watercolors
    This project uses tape and watercolor paint to create a surprise design! It’s like uncovering hidden art shapes, turning painting into a mystery.
    Click here for this activity
    9
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    Homemade Harmonica
    This fun craft turns simple items like popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and paper into a real, playable harmonica. It’s a fun mix of crafting and music!
    Click here for this activity
    10
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    2 Ingredient Shaving Cream Paint
    Painting with shaving cream is a great sensory activty. Kids get to squish, swirl, and smear all the colors together, and the patterns come out looking super cool. Plus, cleaning it up is weirdly satisfying.
    Click here for this activity
    11
    Fun with Pipe Cleaners Fine Motor Skills
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    Fun with Pipe Cleaners Fine Motor Skills
    Playing with pipe cleaners is a sneaky way to work on fine motor skills while kids think they’re just having fun. They can bend, twist, and loop them into all sorts of shapes, and the bright colors make it even more exciting.
    Click here for this activity
    12
    Counting Game with Buttons and Muffin Cups
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    Counting Game with Buttons and Muffin Cups
    This counting game turns buttons and a muffin tin into a super simple math activity. Kids get to sort, count, and match while playing, and the hands-on part makes it way more fun than just using a worksheet
    Click here for this activity
    13
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    Dripping Salt Painting
    Kids sprinkle salt on their designs, then drop paint and watch it spread in the coolest way. It’s a fun art activity that is super easy to set up.
    Click here for this activity
    14
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    Make Your Own Scratch Art Paper
    Kids color a bright background, cover it up, then scratch designs to reveal the surprise underneath. It’s colorful, creative, and makes for eye catching art!
    Click here for this activity
    15
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    Birthday Party Playdough
    This fun activity turns playdough into a pretend birthday party. Kids decorate “cupcakes,” add candles and jewels, then blow them out. It's like the real thing, but without the mess.
    Click here for this activity
    16
    Exploding Milk Experiment
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    Exploding Milk Experiment
    The exploding milk experiment is a quick, colorful science trick that feels like magic. A drop of soap makes the colors in the milk swirl and burst apart, and kids will want to watch it over and over.
    Click here for this activity
    17
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    Glitter Oobleck Recipe
    This cool mix of cornstarch, water, food coloring, and glitter becomes a goo that’s sometimes solid and sometimes liquid. Kids will love squishing and poking it while watching the sparkles.
    Click here for this activity
    18
    Art Activity: Square Collage
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    Art Activity: Square Collage
    This open-ended art activity has kids cutting out colorful paper squares and gluing them onto black paper to create anything from abstract patterns to cute pictures. It’s a perfect mix of creativity and learning.
    Click here for this activity
    19
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    Erupting Play Dough
    This bubbly experiment turns lotion play dough made with baking soda into mini volcanoes when you drop it into a cup of vinegar. Kids will love to watch the fizz erupt!
    Click here for this activity
    20
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    Simple Science Rising Raisins
    This super cool experiment has you drop raisins into a mix of water, baking soda, and vinegar then watch them magically rise and sink like they’re doing a dance.It only needs stuff you probably already have at home!
    Click here for this activity
    21
    Calming Bottles and Sensory Bottles
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    Calming Bottles and Sensory Bottles
    Calming bottles are like little jars of magic. Just swirl them and watch glitter and colors slowly drift down. They’re soothing to look at and a fun, easy project for kids to make.
    Click here for this activity
    22
    No Cook Lotion Dough
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    No Cook Lotion Dough
    This super soft sensory dough uses just four easy ingredients for a sweet‑scented, pastel play experience that needs zero stove time. It’s a squishy delight that smells great and comes together in minutes!
    Click here for this activity
    23
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    Baking Soda Experiments
    Baking soda experiments are fizzy, bubbly fun that double as a little science lesson. Just add vinegar and watch the colorful eruptions happen. It’s simple, messy, and kids love it.
    Click here for this activity
    24
    Q-Tip Painted Snowman Craft
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    Q-Tip Painted Snowman Craft
    This crafty activity uses q‑tips to stamp and paint your very own snowman! Kids get to practice fine-motor skills while turning simple supplies into a winter wonderland.
    Click here for this activity
    25
    Snow Gak Sensory Play
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    Snow Gak Sensory Play
    This snow slime is super stretchy, gooey fun! Kids will make foam “snowballs” they can squish and stretch. Kids can play with it for hours!
    Click here for this activity

    What are your kids favorite after school snacks?

    For more snack ideas check out:

    Crescent Roll Lemon Bars                                           

    Creative Kids Snacks


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    Vicky from Mess for Less

    I'm Vicky, the founder of Mess For Less, which I started in 2011 to share easy, family-friendly recipes. With over a decade of experience as a home chef and recipe developer, I love creating meals that bring people together. I also design play and learning activities for kids, using my background as a former teacher with a Master’s degree in education. Learn more about me.

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