Back to school time can sometimes bring a little bit of chaos and if your kids are anything like mine then the only way that they have survived all these years is by eating snacks. It doesn’t matter how many meal options I give them, they’re always just gravitating towards a snack over a full blown meal. Not only does parenting require we keep them alive but we also have to feed them. Insert my favorite parenting hack…the snack tray. I’m a millennial mom and therefore my love of Lunchables is quite strong so I feel like this option is a glorified Lunchables for my kiddos! I wish I could credit the person who first shared this idea with me but it was many years ago and mom brain is real! 

For those hungry kids just home from school and tired of the same old things, the snack tray will be your best friend. I pick a bunch of random things that I know my kids enjoy and I utilized either a muffin tin or a portable snack box, aka the “Snackle Box”. This option is perfect for busy families on the go and is great if you have after-school activities and need to satisfy a group of hungry kids! We’ve had lots of fun adventures this summer using the Snackle Box! It is perfect for trips to the park or during a sibling’s sporting event. Also for a day out to the zoo or your favorite amusement park! You can also take the muffin tin outside but it’s a bit trickier since it’s open! However, another mom friend recently shared her trick for keeping bugs out and snacks in using one of my kids’ favorite toys…The MAGNA-TILE! Grab twelve of the squares and this will allow you to cover up each snack area to keep bugs out and snacks in! It works great.

I have had the most success with the Snack trays when I include lots of variety. I have three kids so I make sure to include something that everyone likes. We have great luck with fruits, veggies, fruit snacks, Oreos, Vanilla Wafers, and Ritz Sandwich Crackers. The mini options of the cookies and crackers seem to work the best. We also love mini pepperonis and cheese cubes. The options are endless and it’s a great way to clean out those random items in your fridge or pantry!  That’s what makes this option such a fun and easy after school snack. You can prep earlier in the day or even the night before and just serve when the kids get home. I have had such success with this as an option for snacking that it is something we utilize multiple times a week! 

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