Clever Snack Station and School Lunch Solutions
My kids seem to be ravenous after school. Snacking after school is a great way for kids to fuel up for after school activities or homework. I want to make sure its healthy and the portion is just right so they don’t pass on dinner. I am not a type A mom, not even a little. I use the mothering method of “flying by the seat of my pants.” I spend most of my time playing catch up. Being a single mom of four I spend lots of time being a chauffeur . More often than not I find myself on the side line cheering for my kids at sporting events; a little one at my side telling me he’s hungry. Offering the left over animal crackers and cold french fries on the floor of the car is just wrong. I opt for the only thing available, the snack shack offerings. Having snacks at the ready that I can just grab a go would help me avoid the snack shack pitfalls.
These prepped snacks also possess this amazing duality as lunch box side items. I know see the magic I just created there.
Before bed or even during the rush of your morning routine, packing lunch becomes so much more simplified. The kids can grab whatever side items they desire to have for lunch that day, and BOOM lunch is packed!
Because Sunday is my “rest day” using that term lightly what the hell is rest, that’s when I do my food prep. I prep all my veggies, and portion out all my snacks into little sacks, plastic bags, or Tupperware containers.
Id eventually like to switch it all over to reusable snack bags, and glass storage, but all things in time.
You also don’t have to buy the Skippy to go cups. Tiny tupperware containers work just fine, and a large jar of peanut butter is more cost effective. I do the same with the ranch dressing.
Cucumbers, broccoli, peppers, etc. are great bagged up in single portions, not only for snack options but for a lunch time salad. My daughter just packs a container of lettuce and grabs the snack bags. She can make her salad at lunch and all the components stay crispy. The same applies for the granola, and fruit for their yogurt.
What Snacks Do I Prep?
Cucumber slices
Carrot Sticks
Celery Sticks
Broccoli pieces
Apple Slices
Pepperoni and Cheese
Green and Red Pepper slices.
Pineapple cubes
Grapes
Graham crackers
Granola
Peanut Butter dip cups
Ranch dip cups
Strawberries
Chocolate chip cookies
Popcorn
Pretzels
What Snacks Do I Buy “Single Serve”?
Peanut Butter Crackers
Cheese Sticks
Yogurt cups
Yogurt drinks
Juice boxes and bags
Granola Bars
After School Snack Station
Snack Organization
I’m a big believe in the use of baskets.
Stuff= Baskets
Snacks = Baskets
Juice bags =Baskets
Everything looks so much neater and organized in, you guessed it, a basket!
Why the green baskets? Because that’s the only color my Dollar Store had at the time, and well, beggars can’t be choosers.