10 Snacks to Buy When Your Kids Are Sick of Trader Joe’s, Aldi, and Costco

I’m in that rare minority of people who actually enjoy grocery shopping, but even I need a break sometimes — especially once the school year starts and the demand for school lunch ideas and convenient, wholesome, kid-friendly snacks reaches a fever pitch. To keep our house well-stocked with all the snacks my kids require to fuel up for a day of school, I lean on a snack drawer filled with goodies that give me peace of mind. That way I know that when the kids get snacky, they’ll have nothing but good choices. Here are the top 10 snacks I’m buying on repeat and in bulk.

Beef jerky is a great choice for a quick blast of protein, but not all jerky is created equal. This brand earns high marks from me, thanks to their use of grass-fed beef with zero hormones, antibiotics, or nitrites. And my kids love their chef-inspired flavors — especially the sesame teriyaki.

These days every retro snack has gotten a glow-up, and Pringles-style chips are no exception. The Good Crisp Potato Crisps come in a familiar stackable tube that has the bonus advantage of not getting smushed in backpacks, but the best part is the list of allergen-free ingredients that make these a satisfying salty snack you can feel good about.

Created by Posh Spice’s husband, David Beckham, BEEUP fruit snacks are powered by honey. They give kids a natural way to fuel up before or during sports practice, or just a nice treat that’s free of artificial additives. And the flavors, like sour berry and pink lemonade, are bright, sweet, and delightfully tangy.

With 11 grams of protein and 100 calories in every bag, these snacks are perfect for fueling up while providing a satisfying salty crunch. And they’re virtually indestructible, so they can tag along in a gym bag for a few days until whenever my kids need a little boost. (They’re also the snack I snag the most often for myself.) We’re partial to the classic Sea Salt flavor, but these beans are also available in Sriracha, Wasabi Soy Sauce, and Buffalo.

It’s nearly impossible for me to convince my 13-year-old to eat breakfast at 7 a.m., and the way I avoid worrying about it all day is by packing a few of these Seven Sundays Cereal Snackies in his backpack. If he does decide to eat breakfast at a more reasonable time — say, 9 a.m. — he’ll have a great option at his fingertips.

Good ol’ Sun Chips haven’t changed much since the days when I fell in love with their Harvest Cheddar variety. They’re still made with 100% whole grains, and they still have those crave-worthy ripples, so I’m delighted to pass on one of my favorite middle school snacks to the next generation.

These individually wrapped cheese squares are a life-saver when I need a quick bite to throw in the car for taking kids from school to their extracurriculars. The small squares pack five grams of much-appreciated protein for those late-afternoon activities.

I’m a big fan of making my own fruit leather, but during the winter (when local fruit isn’t as abundant) this is a great choice for a snack that’s 100% fruit with no extra ingredients. It’s easy to grab in a hurry, and very easy to love.

We go through a ton of pistachios at our house — my son loves the spicy chili roasted variety, while my husband and daughter prefer them simply salted. Either way, everyone appreciates the fact that the shells have been removed already, so all we have to do is dig in and enjoy.

My 7-year-old adores Go-Gurt as an after-school snack or packed in her lunch box. We keep them in the freezer and then pop them in her lunch box in the morning, so they’re the perfect chilled treat by midday. And with 10% more protein than the OG yogurt tubes, these provide a needed energy boost for long days.