Sensory Savvy Snacks Help Kids Do Better in School
What kids eat is very important and having the right snack can actually improve a child's ability to learn. Our school occupational therapy consultant, Casey Halper, put together a list of sensory smart snacks just in time for back to school. That means that they are snacks that help kids stay alert and focused in school without making them hyper and restless. These are great snack ideas for children in school, but would be equally great snack choices for toddlers too.
For more tips and sensory activities for kids of all ages, see our posts on Sensory Bin Ideas for Busy Toddlers, DIY Sensory Activities for Babies, and our giant list of 99 Sensory Activities for Toddlers, Infants, and Kids of All Ages.
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Themes for Healthy Sensory Snacks
- Crunchy and chewy foods help make kids more alert by engaging their senses.
- Sipping or sucking can help organize and calm children.
- And of course fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and calcium rich foods make them healthy overall.
Try These Sensory Smart Snacks:
1. Carrot Sticks
2. Celery Sticks
3. Cucumbers
4. Grapes
5. Apples
6. Pears
7. Dried Fruit (cherries, apricots, mangos)
8. Orange Wedges
9. Whole wheat pretzels
10. Rice Cakes
11. Raisins
12. Granola Bars
13. Graham Crackers
14. Fruit Leather
15. Low Fat Yogurt with straw
16. Apple Sauce with straw
17. Chunks of cheese
18. Cheese Sticks
19. Whole grain cereal
20. Whole Grain Cracker (Triscuits)
21. Cereal Bar
22. Popcorn
23. Chewy whole grain mini bagels
24. 7 grain chips
25. Baked pita or bagel chips
Maybe you can get your class or school to institute a healthy sensory snack plan. For more healthy snack ideas check out the book Healthy Snacks for Healthy Kids by B.J. Witz.
This post originally published in October 2007.
