School snack

[Mamabear04]

Just wondering what you give your kids school snack? DC is going to start school after the summer. Just wondering what the notm is...

We didn't bother giving DS a snack to take to school. In reception, Y1 and Y2 they get free school means so he is having those, rather than a packed lunch. And they have fruit in his classrooms for the kids to help themselves if they want it. So we just send him with a water bottle. He's going into Y2 now and hasn't asked to take snacks in, so I think he's happy with the set up.

I would check what the school offer, if they have fruit in the classroom and what lunch options they have, before you decide what to send in with your child.

Have they told you to send a snack? Most schools especially in KS1 don't do snacks at break time they instead get daily fruit and milk as a class.

Some schools let children take their own snacks in. Some only allow fruit and some allow any healthy snack.

Just don't complicate the situation is my advice. What you don't want is your child fumbling around in a backpack that is the same size as he is looking for a snack whilst everyone else is tumbling outside to play.

Nothing in a box because then they are outside with a Tupperware. Nothing in a packet like dried fruit that they can't open on their own. Nothing sticky as then they have to wash their hands.

DS usually takes either carrot/cucumber sticks or fruit. I usually peel/cut as needed and put into a little tub. Occasionally he gets a tube yogurt or pack of resins if I'm running out of fresh stuff.

As others have said in the infants section of school they have access to free fruit for snacks, this is basically apples, bananas,oranges. If your little one isn’t keen on those or you want a bit more variety maybe just send him/her in with some strawberries etc or some breadsticks, rice cakes etc

Also check your school's policy on nuts and other allergens. We're not allowed to send anything with nuts in it to school. Which rules out a lot of cereal bar type snacks.

In our school, KS1 have snacks provided (a choice of raw fruit and veg). KS2 often can choose from the same, but it isn’t always provided due to funding so they can bring food from home. Mine brings a piece of fruit usually.

Our school says healthy snacks eg fruit, veg, small sandwich, yogurt, cheese cereal bar. I sometimes send breadsticks or cereal which I think is fine. Other children apparently bring crisps and party rings and things. Love arguing with my child about why she won’t be having those things!

they have the free fruit in the morning and their own snacks in the afternoons.

We don't get free fruit etc because we're not in England. We do need to provide a morning snack and nut free of course. Would like to provide a healthy option but like OP said, don't want to send her with tupperware and also DD likes apples cut up rather than bite into them, would struggle to peal an orange etc so not sure what to get for her. I think when I was young I was just sent with a packet of crisps but that was the 90s...is that still acceptable or too unhealthy?

Cut up the apple into segments and put it back together with a rubber band?

Most schools have a healthy eating policy, so crisps aren't allowed.

At my children's primary they could bring in a fruit snack only. Can be fresh fruit or dried. Most take in a small tuppaware with some fresh chopped fruit, or something like a small bag of dried fruit.

At my kids school they can get away with crisps as part of a pack lunch, but they would definitely not approve as a stand alone snack. The more hard line schools would take it off the kid and hand it to the parent at pick up.

@Timeisnevertimeatall Does that work to stop the browning?! I've got a crazy fussy eater and he has turned up his nose at other chopped apple preserving methods!

If you aren’t in England, which country are you in OP, as it could help inform the replies

I'm in Scotland and my kids school are quite flexible and say either fruit or a savoury snack, no nuts. Generally it's crisps, mini cheddars, cereal bar or an apple mine take. Most of their friends have crisps.

It's not really my own tip, children I've taught over the years have brought it in like that. It does seem pretty reliable as a method - maybe depends on the tightness of the rubber band. Possibly worth an experiment over the holidays?

Absolutely it is, thanks!

Croissants, belvita soft bakes and fruit throughout the years. DD's school stopped free snack in y3.

In infant school they get a free piece of fruit. We've continued the fruit in junior school but we buy it and put it in her bag.

In Scotland and have never had any guidance from the school on this.

Kids go to a well regarded school in a good catchment and most kids seem to have crisps or similar for snack.

I've never heard of any snack being an issue / handed back to parents.

Crisps, mini cheddars are popular. As is fruit but can be hit or miss as a lot of kids just won't eat it so I know a lot of mums just gave up sending it.