Hey, mama! Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you shop through them—at no extra cost to you. I only share products we truly love and use in our real, snack-hungry household. 😉
If you’re home with kids, you’re probably spending a lot of time in the kitchen—because, well, a few things in life are guaranteed: death, taxes, and the fact that your children will be hungry five minutes after you feed them.
Let’s be real—no matter how often you feed kids, they always seem to need another snack right after breakfast… or five minutes before dinner. It never fails. THEY ARE ALWAYS HUNGRY!
And as a mom who can’t stand the thought of letting my kids go hungry (at any time of day), I had to figure out how to feed them well without blowing our entire food budget on “snacks.” At one point, we were losing so much money to grab-and-go packaged foods that I knew something had to change. I needed a better way to give my kids the snacks they wanted—at the time they wanted them—without overspending.
Years ago, a wise mom told me, “Packaged snacks are for when you’re out and about. At home, we grab food from the fridge.” And that stuck with me! Of course, there are still moments—like when I’m nursing a baby or trying to get someone down for a nap—when it’s a lifesaver to let a kid grab something easy like an applesauce pouch. But that’s where snack planning (and the right tools!) really helps.
🍽️ Tip #1: Create a Snack Plate
One of my favorite budget-friendly hacks is putting out a snack plate a couple of times a day. It helps cut back on kids constantly asking for food between meals.
Yes, it takes a little prep—but it’s something you can throw together the night before, or while breakfast is cooking in the morning. Think of it as a shared family-sized Lunchable!
Here are some go-to snack plate fillers:
- Apple slices
- Orange wedges
- Watermelon chunks
- Berries
- Carrot sticks
- Crackers
- Cheese slices
- Lunch meat
Fill it up, and let the kids graze! It gives them the freedom to pick what they like (and maybe try a bite of something new without pressure). Plus, if there are leftovers, just pop a lid on the plate or container and stick it back in the fridge for next time.
🛒 Tip #2: Buy Snacks in Bulk
You’ve heard it before—buying in bulk saves money. But when it comes to snacks, it really adds up.
Instead of buying single-serve applesauce or yogurt cups, buy the big containers and portion them out yourself. I reuse old baby food jars or prep them in small containers to make them easy for the kids to grab. It saves money and mess.
Great bulk buys for snack prep:
- Applesauce
- Yogurt
- Crackers, chips, and pretzels in big bags
- Granola
* These are my favorite jars and lids for prepping bulk liquids *
👉 We use THESE for homemade drinkable yogurts too!
At the beginning of each week, I portion out snacks into individual containers or snack bags. This can be done with resealable plastic bags, glass jars, or reusable silicone snack bags depending on your budget and preference.
🥪 Tip #3: DIY Individual Snack Packs
Let’s be honest—what makes a snack feel like a snack? It’s usually the single-serve factor. That’s why creating your own DIY snack packs works so well for saving money.
I use these handy little containers (yes, they’re plastic—but we’re not microwaving them, so I give myself grace). If you’re avoiding plastic altogether, here are my favorite stainless steel containers –>
Easy DIY snack ideas:
- Apple slices + peanut or almond butter
- Carrots/cucumbers + hummus
- Chips + avocado or guac
- Strawberries + yogurt dip or Nutella
- Cheese cubes + crackers
** Bonus Tip: Buy Healthy Snacks Online
If you want snacks delivered to your door (hello, time saver!), check out these options:
✔️ Thrive Market – Get 40% off your first order! You can even use your SNAP/EBT card for eligible food purchases.
✔️ Amazon Grocery – Now accepting SNAP/EBT for a wide variety of pantry snacks.
Final Thoughts
These are my top 3 tips for keeping your kids full without blowing your snack budget:
- Prep a shared snack plate
- Buy in bulk and portion yourself
- Make your own individual snack packs
Give yourself one hour on Sunday to prep a week’s worth of snacks, and you’ll save money and your sanity all week long.
If this post helped you, leave a comment below or follow me on Pinterest for more kid food inspiration, mom hacks, and large-family life tips!
Also check out other blog posts –>HERE<– about my favorite kitchen gadgets!