Preparing food for children is always a daunting task. More so when they have just spent hours in a mentally taxing environment and return home physically exhausted as well. As kids are inherently bundles of hyperactive energy, they need a special kind of snack to be able to recharge and refresh them after a tiring day at school. Given here are a couple of ideas and foods that make the best after-school snacks for kids:

1. Frozen grapes
Grapes are known as storehouses of antioxidants, which is perfect to recharge children’s energy after a day of running around at school. In addition, when frozen, the chillness gives an additional stimulation and helps deal with exhaustion. Not to mention that it is extremely healthy and can replace a lot of junk food in a kid’s diet.

2. Hard-boiled eggs
Boiling an egg concentrates the proteins and packs a punch of energy, making it a great after-school snack for kids. It can also be prepared beforehand and stored, which comes in handy when children are cranky with hunger. A hard-boiled egg can provide a burst of protein-packed energy, any day of the week.

3. Baby carrots, cut cucumbers, and assorted veggies
This is a snack with bite-sized picks and is fun to eat as well as light and healthy for kids. There is also the benefit of adding vegetables to your kid’s diet in an enjoyable way, as the snack can be dressed with several condiments. These can range from a simple salt-and-pepper shake to a ranch or other salad dressings.

4. Mini pizza
A snack that is already very popular with kids, mini pizzas have already been around for years. Their main attraction is versatility, as they can be made using your kid’s favorite toppings. It can sometimes be challenging to find a small enough base, so you can also use a tortilla or mini bagels as substitutes.

5. Fresh fruit
Another classic snack, a bowl of freshly cut fruit is perfect after a hot, exhausting day at school. Fill the bowl with your kid’s favorite fruits and other seasonal ones, but ensure that you limit the usage of artificial syrups and sweeteners. If you have to use sweeteners, try using natural alternatives like honey, which is also beneficial for health.

6. Popcorn
This snack for kids should come as no surprise, and it can also be used as an after-school snack for kids. It is recommended that you air-pop your popcorn for maximum deliciousness. This snack is full of fiber, which will keep children feeling full until dinner. However, care should be taken while feeding it to little kids as there might be a risk of it becoming a choking hazard.

7. Baked sweet potato
Sweet potatoes are inherently rich in various nutrients and are very beneficial for a growing child. Add to that their fiber content and they can leave a child feeling full until the next meal.