Snack Hacks in the Time of COVID-19

In the wake of the new coronavirus and way too much time near the kitchen, parents are trying to manage snack requests while we stay indoors. 

We know this is no easy task (for both kids and adults, if we’re being honest). Here are a few of our snack hacks that we hope will help!

Self-Serve for the Healthier Foods

Offer self-serve snacks! Put cups of healthier self-serve snacks on the counter or fridge door. Let your kids know which snacks are ‘free’ — sliced cucumbers, carrots, grapes, cheese sticks, yogurt squeezes, apples, eggs, bananas, mandarin oranges, snacking peppers, etc.

Make a Daily Container

Place daily snacks and cups in color coded containers and let the kids know that when the special treats (like graham crackers, gummy fruit snacks, and Goldfish) are gone, they’re gone for the day. Also, since most of us have dishwashers running 24/7 lately, designate one cup per person per day to make your life a little easier.

Keep the Treats Out of Reach

This one seems like a no-brainer, but keep all special occasional treats up in an unreachable, concealed spot. Just today, I found a brand-new bag of honey wheat pretzels opened and half eaten in our family room. My 4- and 6-year-olds are sneaky! 

Open Up a “Market”

Give your kids an allowance every day and have them “shop” for their food. Make healthier foods more affordable and more splurge-y foods more expensive. This hack will not only give children limits on snacks, but it also teaches them how to budget!

Save Less-Than-Healthy Treats for the Weekend

For me, I’m working from home with two young kids at home with me while my husband is away at work. We’re allowing more treats during the weekends than we normally do (hello, cupcakes, juice, potato chips and Koolaid!), but the kids know that these are weekend treats. We keep all these sugary treats set aside until the weekend, when both parents can keep a closer eye on what’s being consumed. We definitely don’t want to always say no to sweet treats! Finding that balance is key.

What snack hacks have worked in your home? Please share them with us!