Snacks that are typically offered to children in afterschool programs

Afterschool programs are enjoyable to work for. The staff at afterschool programs offer various snack options for the children. The children might typically participate in the afterschool programs from approximately 3pm until 6 or 7pm, each weekday: Monday - Friday. The afterschool program that is coordinated to operate during the afternoon and evening hours might be housed in the very same school building where a child attends school earlier in the day. Many working parents find these afterschool programs to be very convenient for keeping their children while the parents are working.

Having worked in two schools' afterschool programs, here is a list of the types of snacks that I have seen being offered. This might be of interest to parents both to see what kind of foods their children are being offered and to get ideas about what to offer them when at home.

This article might also interest individuals or small groups who work as babysitters or plan to implement at home daycare groups. When you have a model to look at, it might be helpful.

In the category of already prepared (e.g.- boxed or bottled foods), the most common snacks I've seen offered are:
1. Jello gelatin cup

2. Pudding cup

3. Box of raisins

4. 8 oz disposable cup full of pretzels

5. 8 oz disposable cup full of popcorn

6. Polly-O string cheese, other brand string cheese or cheddar cheese stick

7. Sandwich crackers such as Ritz brand

7. Single serving yogurt container

8. Fresh fruit- apples, bananas, oranges, pears, etc

9. Fruit (chunks) cups such as Dole brand mixed fruit cup

10. Applesauce cups

Beverages

1. Box of milk (white or chocolate)

2. Small (4-8oz) juice box

3. Water

Below are examples in the category of foods that require some albeit minimal preparation. Often times, the children assist in the food preparation as an afterschool program "cooking activity". Program staff supervises with cutting and operating a blender for example. :

1. Ants on a log (where the log is a celery stick, the ants are raisins and peanut butter is used to adhere the ants to the log)

2. Carrot and raisin salad (shredded carrots mixed with raisins and a scoop of mayonaise)

3. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (or half sandwiches)

4. Vanilla pudding mixed with slices of banana

5. Various types of fruit smoothies (e.g: One cup of strawberries or blueberries blended with 1 cup of milk and a scoop of ice or 1 medium banana blended with 1 cup or milk and a scoop of ice.)

Cookies, cake, cupcakes, candy, potato chips, sodas are NOT typically offered.

I welcome you sharing your own ideas or thoughts in the comment section.

Thanks for reading this brief but hopefully helpful article.