I’m a Mom and Nutritionist, These Are the Kids Snacks I Swear By

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Good Housekeeping / Mike Garten

Best Early Introduction Puffs

Mission MightyMe Nutty Puffs

Nutty Puffs

These puffs with a purpose from Mission MightyMe were developed with a pediatric allergist and contain equal parts peanut, cashew, walnut, hazelnut and almond protein. They are the ideal size for developing that pincer grasp and easily melt in baby’s mouth.

LAB RESULTS: GH’s nutrition director praised the brand’s change to superfood sorghum as the base instead of rice, and pointed out that the puffs are more than 50% nuts. Families loved how easy it was to consistently introduce multiple nuts to their infant with just one snack. “This quickly became my son’s favorite,” one mother said.

Best Kids’ Pouch

Stonyfield Organic Kids ZERO Grams Added Sugar Whole Milk Yogurt Pouches

Organic Kids ZERO Grams Added Sugar Whole Milk Yogurt Pouches

It’s hard to find a flavored yogurt without loads of added sugar, especially for kids. But Stonyfield‘s new line of organic yogurt pouches have zero grams of added sugar and are made with high-quality ingredients including a blend of fresh fruits and veggies.

LAB RESULTS: Influencer Yumna Jawad’s family enjoyed that the tasty pouches were a no-mess snack and described them as “sweet, creamy and delicious.” Kids with a variety of preferences all loved the yogurt, with one parent saying, “I actually would buy it for myself!”

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Best Kids’ Dipper

Sunnie Sunflower Butter + Jam Snack

Sunflower Butter + Jam Snack

These adorable Sunnie Dippers are an elevated (and gluten-free) version of a childhood favorite. Dip the crunchy grain-free crackers into a creamy maple-vanilla sunflower seed butter and then into the refreshing strawberry-chia jam for a true treat.

LAB RESULTS: The three flavors just work so well together, and taste testers of all ages adored the snack. “It’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory, and I look forward to having these on the go,” said influencer Yumna Jawad of Feel Good Foodie. One parent added, “I love that you can take this with you or send it with your kiddo and know that they will have a healthy snack.”

Best Shelf-Stable Pouch

Brainiac Kids Neuro+ Carrot Blueberry Smoothie

Neuro+ Carrot Blueberry Smoothie

Brainiac is known for its fortified applesauce pouches, and now delves into the baby food pouch aisle with its Neuro+ line. Each puree combines organic fruits and veggies with omega-3’s and choline.

LAB RESULTS: Our dietitians point out that these pouches include MFGM (milk fat globule membrane), a unique nutrient found in breast milk that can support cognitive development. Parents loved the natural ingredients and added nutrients for even more health benefits. “I also appreciated that the pouches were shelf-stable until opened,” one mom said.

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Best Kids’ Fruit Roll

The Froot Thief Strawberry Real Fruit Whips

Strawberry Real Fruit Whips

The Froot Thief makes snack time fun (and nutritious) with these individually wrapped strawberry fruit whips made with real fruit and no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. The whips look like extra-long spaghetti that unravels up to 9 feet long, perfect for snack break crafts and actually playing with your food!

LAB RESULTS: Kid taste testers and adults alike couldn’t get enough of the fun treat. “I love the use of natural ingredients. I also found the length of the fruit rope to be satisfying for the kids. It took them a while to eat, and they had fun doing it,” one parent commented.

Best Babies’ Melts

YUMI Organic Strawberry & Kale Smoothie Melts

Organic Strawberry & Kale Smoothie Melts

The perfect first finger food for little ones, these organic smoothie melts from YUMI are designed for 8+ months. Made with a dairy-free coconut base, they quickly melt in your little one’s mouth and are the ideal shape and size for working on baby’s pincer grasp.

LAB RESULTS: Our dietitians highlight that the melts are a good source of calcium and potassium, and parents praised the wholesome ingredient list. “My baby daughter immediately enjoyed the entire experience. From the way she held the packaging and grabbed the melts herself to the constant flow of eating as many as she could, and the ingredient list was something I can stand behind,” one parent said.

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Best Yogurt Pouch

Little Spoon Strawberry Bananza YoGo

Strawberry Bananza YoGo

Little Spoon uses organic whole milk Greek yogurt from family farms, plus real fruit and hidden veggies in its popular YoGo pouches. The Strawberry Bananza flavor is a fun take on a banana split, with a twist of real strawberries, creamy bananas, a hint of pumpkin and vanilla bean.

LAB RESULTS: Kid taste testers loved the colorful and fun packaging and gave the pouches a big thumbs-up. “My kids really enjoyed the taste of it,” one parent said. “They also seemed to like the consistency, and nobody had any issues getting the food out of the package. They asked for more the second they were finished.”

Best Graham Cracker Sandwiches

Once Again Organic Peanut Butter Graham Cracker Sandwiches

Organic Peanut Butter Graham Cracker Sandwiches

Now 16% Off

Creamy dry-roasted peanut butter sits between two graham crackers in these individually wrapped graham cracker sandwiches from Once Again. The treat is made with all-organic ingredients and comes in a variety with chocolate inside too.

LAB RESULTS: Our dietitians appreciate that the organic and gluten-free graham crackers are made with sorghum, an ultra-nutritious grain. “Loved the simplicity and practicality of this,” influencer Kevin Curry of Fit Men Cook commented. “This snack is the perfect size for adults and kids,” another person raved.

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Best Kids’ Nutrition Shake

Kendakids Vita-Boost Creamy Chocolate Nutritional Shake

Vita-Boost Creamy Chocolate Nutritional Shake

Made with European whole milk from grass-fed cows raised on family farms, KendaKids Vita-Boost Shakes are enriched with 27 essential vitamins and minerals. They pack in 9 g of protein plus DHA omega-3’s to support growing kids, and a unique blend of prebiotics and postbiotics for immune health.

LAB RESULTS: Parents said that kids thought the shake tasted just like chocolate milk and drank it right up. “It passed the picky kid taste test and it has good ingredients,” one father commented. GH’s nutrition director also appreciates that the beverage is free from corn syrup and palm oil.

Best Teething Sticks

Little Bellies Organic Strawberry Pick-Me-Sticks

Organic Strawberry Pick-Me-Sticks

Designed for babies from 7+ months, these organic teething sticks from Little Bellies are just the right shape for baby to hold. They are not sweetened or salted but are made with wholesome ingredients and melt in baby’s mouth.

LAB RESULTS: “My 9-month-old literally shrieks with excitement when he sees these come out, so I think we’re going to keep them around for a while,” one parent said. “He loves chewing on them and it’s great practice for holding objects and food.”

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Best Refrigerated Pouch

Once Upon A Farm Organic Belly Blend

Organic Belly Blend

This new gut-focused refrigerated pouch line from Once Upon A Farm is thoughtfully crafted with fresh fruits, veggies and prebiotic fibers to feed the added probiotics.

LAB RESULTS: Our dietitians highlight the brand’s use of a special cold-pressed technology that locks in both the refreshing taste and nutrients in each pouch. Parents loved the nutritional quality, and toddlers enjoyed every bite. One parent commented, “I loved the fact that it was healthy and fresh with a delicious taste. All of my kids who tried it loved it… and that is rare!”

Best Kids’ Bar

Happy Wolf Chocolate Chip Snack Bar

Chocolate Chip Snack Bar

Founded by a mom, Happy Wolf bars are made with a simple list of organic ingredients including sunflower seed butter, oats, dates and honey. The school-friendly snack is naturally high in protein and fiber and free from artificial flavors and preservatives.

LAB RESULTS: Kids of all ages enjoyed the bar, plus parents (and our dietitians!) appreciated the wholesome ingredients. “The first thing I liked about this snack bar was its size. It’s a good size for my child,” one mom said. “The bar is soft and easy to eat with little to no mess.”

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Best Fortified Baby Pouch

Cerebelly Sweet Potato Banana Blueberry Dairy-Free Smoothie

Sweet Potato Banana Blueberry Dairy-Free Smoothie

This dairy-free smoothie pouch from Cerebelly is conveniently shelf-stable but ultra-nutritious. It features organic sweet potatoes, bananas and blueberries for a nutrient-dense puree free from added sugar.

LAB RESULTS: Our dietitians appreciate that Cerebelly packs in 16 brain-supporting nutrients like DHA and choline into its blends to support growing babies. Parents loved the added nutrition and that the pouch didn’t have to be refrigerated. “My son gobbled this down, and I felt like it was something substantial and not just straight fruit,” one mother said.

Best Toddlers’ Bar

YUMI Organic Strawberry Super Bar

Organic Strawberry Super Bar

YUMI‘s soft-baked breakfast bar is free from added sugar but packed with fiber and essential nutrients. The toddler snack is organic and great for on the go.

LAB RESULTS: Parents loved that it was the right portion size for kids and that it is much healthier than similar bars of its kind. “Seeing my son enjoy this makes me so happy — he’s a picky eater, so anything he finishes feels like a win! The bar is a good size, and the colorful packaging definitely catches his attention,” one parent said.

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Best Complete Baby Meal

Square Baby Almond Butter & Banana Square Meal Puree

Almond Butter & Banana Square Meal Puree

Square Baby‘s Almond Butter & Banana puree checks multiple boxes for new parents. Designed by a dietitian and made in small batches, the nutrient-dense meals also include small amounts of common allergens like tree nuts for easy allergen introduction.

LAB RESULTS: The high-quality, organic ingredients were a standout to both our dietitians and parent testers. “Felt like I was giving my daughter something she enjoyed that was also good for her,” one mother said, with another adding, “I like the packaging and how it was shipped. I know if I ordered more baby food through them it would come fresh.”

Best Kids’ Plant-Based Nutrition Shake

Kate Farms Kids’ Chocolate Nutrition Shake

Kids' Chocolate Nutrition Shake

For kids who need nutritional support, including those with food allergies or selective diets, this nutrition shake from Kate Farms is a great solution. The plant-based option is suitable for ages 1 to 13 and provides a vegan source of DHA without any artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners.

LAB RESULTS: Our dietitians were impressed by the healthier ingredient list and that a serving packs in 8 g of protein and 27 vitamins and minerals. Chocolate was a tester favorite. “The kids liked that it was ‘yummy.’ They drank it in one sitting as an afterschool snack and didn’t need anything with it,” one parent commented.

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Best Bite-Size Snack

Earth’s Best Organic Melty Hoops Spring Veggies

Organic Melty Hoops Spring Veggies

Designed for little ones 8+ months, Earth’s Best Organic Melty Hoops are an adorable (and tasty!) finger food. Made from puffed corn and quinoa, the hoops are the right texture for babies to pick up, but they melt instantly in the mouth to safely self-feed.

LAB RESULTS: Parents loved that the size was suitable for little hands and that the ingredients seemed healthier than others on the market. “This is a great toddler snack — the shape (a ring) is great for their little pincer grasp, and the melt-in-your-mouth texture is just right for that age,” one mom said, adding that the portion size was quite generous too.

Best Freeze-Dried Fruit Snack

OHME! Freeze-Dried Strawberry Yogurt Crunch

Freeze-Dried Strawberry Yogurt Crunch

Freeze-dried fruit gets an upgrade with the addition of protein-rich Greek yogurt in this snack from OHME!. The family-friendly treat strikes the ideal balance of crunchy and creamy textures and is free from preservatives and artificial flavors.

LAB RESULTS: The adorable packaging was a favorite among families, and the snack delivered both freshness and great flavor. “The fact that it is in small cute squares made it really fun for the kids to eat, and extremely handy to have as a snack after my daughter’s hockey game,” one mother mentioned.

Headshot of Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., NASM-CPT

Stefani (she/her) is a registered dietitian, a NASM-certified personal trainer and the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition and Fitness Lab, where she oversees all nutrition and fitness-related content, testing and evaluation. She holds a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from New York University, as well as advanced certifications as a Women’s Fitness Specialist and a Behavior Change Specialist. Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family.

Headshot of Alyssa Jung

Alyssa is a senior editor for the Hearst Health Newsroom, where she has written research-backed health content for Prevention, Good Housekeeping and Woman’s Day since 2017. She has more than 13 years of reporting and editing experience and previously worked as research chief at Reader’s Digest, where she was responsible for the website’s health vertical as well as editing health content for the print magazine. She has also written for Chowhound, Healthination.com, Huffington Post and more.

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