Get your kids ready for school with a perfectly organized snack drawer! Check out these easy back-to-school snack drawer ideas that will keep healthy, fun, and delicious snacks within reach for your little ones. From granola bars to treats, find out how to stock up on snacks that your kids will love.
Back-to-School Snack Drawer Ideas
Back-to-school season is upon us, and that means it’s time to get organized!
One of the best ways to keep your kids happy and fueled for their busy school days is by creating a snack drawer that’s both fun and functional.
Today, I’m excited to share some easy back-to-school snack drawer ideas that will make your mornings smoother and afternoons snack-tastic!
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Why a Snack Drawer?
Having a dedicated snack drawer helps keep your kitchen organized and makes it easy for kids to grab a quick bite.
A snack drawer can act as a snack station when you kids are home so they have easy access to after-school snacks.
It’s also an easy way to organize snacks, sides, and treats for packing lunches for school.
I created a dedicated snack drawer in one of our kitchen cabinets. This type of snack drawer is great for pantry snacks and things that are non-perishable.
If you want to store healthy snacks, you might want to create a dedicated snack drawer in your fridge. That would be the perfect spot for refrigerated, fresh healthy snack options.
A snack drawer is also a great way to ensure your kids have access to healthy options without having to rummage through the pantry.
Read: Tips for Maintaining a Clean and Organized Home with Kids
Choosing the Right Drawer
Start by picking a drawer that is easily accessible for your kids. Ideally, it should be at their level so they can reach it without any help. A lower kitchen drawer or a shelf in the pantry works perfectly.
You may not have the space for a dedicated snack drawer.
The easiest way to create a snack area is to make a snack bin somewhere in your kitchen. This can work the same way as a dedicated drawer, just for a smaller space. Keep the snack bin in the pantry or even out on your kitchen counter.
Snack Bin
A simple basket can make the perfect snack bin for kid’s snacks.
If you are turning a fridge drawer into a snack drawer, make sure your kids can also reach the drawer.
Some fridges have dedicated center drawers between the upper fridge area and the lower freezer which make the perfect fridge snack drawers.
Related: How to Organize Your Fridge
My Snack Drawer
Here’s a quick video showing the snack drawer I created for my kids in our kitchen.
Snacks in My Drawer
For the snacks in my drawer, I included some of my kids’ favorites:
- Bilot Probiotic Yoggie Bites Strawberry
- Newton’s Soft Fruit Chewy Fig Cookies
- Nature’s Bakery Raspberry Fig Bar Minis
- Barnum’s Original Animal Crackers
- Great Value Mini Alphabet Cookies
- Great Value Mini Bear Chocolate Graham Cookies
- Great Value Mini Iced Oatmeal Cookies
- Nutella & Go Hazelnut and Cocoa Spread with Breadsticks
- Glico Pocky Chocolate Covered Biscuit Sticks
- Glico Pocky Strawberry Cream Covered Biscuit Sticks
- Glico Pocky Cookies & Cream Biscuit Sticks
Organizing the Snack Drawer
1. Use Clear Containers and Bins
Clear containers are a game-changer when it comes to organizing. They make it easy to see what snacks are available and keep everything tidy. Label each container with the type of snack it holds to make it even easier for your kids to find what they want.
These types of containers are better if you have a snack shelf in a pantry. But you could also use shallow clear containers to organize a snack drawer.
Clear Containers
I love these acrylic bins for organizing just about anything. The drawers are huge, and you can store tons of snacks!
2. Separate by Categories
Divide the snacks into categories such as morning snacks, afternoon snacks, and treats. This way, your kids can easily choose a balanced snack.
These drawer dividers would be helpful to use to separate your snacks and keep everything organized.
Drawer Dividers
These dividers make it easy to section off a kitchen drawer to keep everything organized.
3. Individual Portions
A great idea is to pre-portion the snacks into individual servings. This not only makes it easier for kids to grab and go but also helps with portion control. Use small reusable bags or containers for managing the portion size.
You can also buy snacks that come in pre-portioned small bags. These are great for kid snack options or packing in a lunch box for school.
4. Healthy Choices First
Place healthier options at the front of the drawer. This encourages your kids to make better snack choices.
Keep the treats towards the back or in a separate section to avoid temptation. You could even create separate drawers – one as a healthy snack drawer and the other for a sweet treat snack.
Snack Ideas to Fill Your Drawer
Here are some great snack ideas to fill your snack drawer. Some of these obviously would need to be refrigerated, so they would only be appropriate for a fridge snack drawer.
Fresh Fruit and Veggies
- Apple Slices
- Grapes
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Baby carrots
- Fruit Cups
- Cucumber Slices
- Celery Sticks
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Small Containers of Hummus for Dipping
- Dried Fruits
- Applesauce
Proteins
- Cheese sticks
- String Cheese
- Cheese Cubes
- Mini Cheese Wheels
- Yogurts
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Small Bags of Nuts or Trail Mix
- Peanut Butter
- Protein Bars
Whole Grains and Treats
- Whole grain crackers
- Popcorn
- Granola bars
- Fruit snacks
- Cookies
- Chocolates
Involve Your Kids
Get your kids involved in the process!
Let them help you stock the drawer and choose their favorite snacks or healthy snack options. This not only makes them more excited about their snack options but also teaches them about making nutritious choices.
You could also have your kids help create the grocery list to make sure you’re stocked with the best snacks.
If there are specific school snacks that they like to have, make sure to include those in your drawer. Get the whole family involved to make the best snack drawer for your home.
Keep It Fresh
Make it a weekly routine to clean out the snack drawer and restock with fresh options. This helps prevent food waste and keeps the drawer inviting.
Refreshing your snack drawer will also give you an idea of which snacks are the favorites, and which ones your kids aren’t reaching for as much.
Try swapping out different types of snacks to give your snack drawer some variety.
Final Thoughts
Creating a back-to-school snack drawer is a simple and effective way to keep your kids happy and healthy.
With a little organization and some creativity, you can make snack time a breeze. Plus, it’s a fun project that you and your kids can enjoy together.
I hope these ideas inspire you to set up your own snack drawer!
What are your favorite back-to-school snack ideas? Share in the comments below!
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