Easy And Healthy Beach Snack Ideas for Kids

A day at the beach is an awesome way to get some fun and relaxation. Whether you plan on swimming or just catching some rays, having a great snack on hand will make the experience even better. That’s why we’re here to share our list of the best easy and healthy beach snack ideas for kids.

While many beaches have restaurants or a grocery store close at hand, packing your own favorite snacks will cut down on the expense of your beach days and provide healthy choices of beach foods for all. And taking along a cooler that keeps your best snacks and drinks cold on those hot summer days is a great way to do it.

Beach Snacks for Kids

What you take with you of course depends on who’s going with you, your whole family, children, etc. Taking into consideration the likes and dislikes of the beachgoers, it makes no sense to take snacks no one will eat. Healthy beach snacks that the group is used to eating will likely ensure that no one turns their nose up at the selections.

Table of Contents

• Beach Snacks for Kids
• Take Plenty Of Fluids
• Fruits And Nuts
• Trail Mix
• Fruit Salad
• Vegetables
• Pretzels
• Cheese
• 100-Calorie Packs
• Roll-Up Sandwiches
• Crudites Are The Perfect Choice
• More Beach Fun

You might also want to check out some ideas of things to do on the beach with kids, to make sure you all have a great day filled with fun.

Take Plenty Of Fluids

The sun and sand are sure to make everyone thirsty.

Bottled water and fruit juices are good choices. Freeze the water first and everything in the cooler will stay cooler and as the ice melts, you will have refreshing ice water.

Ice tea is also a good choice and some individually bottled iced coffee for those coffee fans.

Fruits And Nuts

Most suggestions for healthy snacks include fruit but these are great beach snacks for several reasons. First and foremost they contain a high water content that is good for bodies that are quickly dehydrated by activity in the sun and heat.

Watermelon is a classic for the beach, and hot days. It is super hydrating, so offers a lot of benefits as well as that delicious taste.

Sturdy fruits like apples and pears are easy to transport without causing damage.

Grapes are also great ideas but will need to be stored in plastic containers to limit squashing or bruising.

You can also take homemade fruit roll ups which are a huge hit with our kids.

If you prefer veggies then a few celery sticks, some baby carrots or slices of bell peppers and bring along some low-fat dip for extra flavor.

Make a large batch of trail snack mix using the ingredients that everyone likes.

Use two or three kinds of nuts and maybe raisins, dried cranberries or any other dried fruits, or bananas for the fruit in the mix. Chocolate chips are a tasty addition but add them sparingly to avoid messy hands.

A variety of seeds is in the mix and you have a healthy and satisfying snack filled with healthy fats.

Bring along a few paper cups or sandwich bags so that everyone has a convenient way to eat their snack.

A couple of apples and maybe some seedless grapes will suit those that are looking for a bit more of a crunchy snack.

Trail Mix

Not just for hiking – Trail mix also makes a tasty, satisfying good beach snack food. It is easy to pack, easy to eat, and (best of all) it is totally customizable. Pair sweet and salty in any ratio you desire. Almonds, pretzel sticks, sunflower seeds, walnuts, raisins, cashews, and dried cranberries make a flavorful trail mix combination that is packed with protein.

Fruit Salad

A delightful mixture of pineapple, blueberries, kiwi, peaches, grapes, apple slices and strawberries is another refreshing fun snack to reach for while you are lounging along the shoreline. Add a protein-rich yogurt dip or sour cream dip, low-fat cream cheese, or low-fat cottage cheese to enjoy with the fruits. A good idea is to make sure to keep your snack cool either by packing the fruit into a cooler or by making the fruit salad with frozen fruits (they act as their own icepack). Another quick tip that we use all the time: use frozen water bottles in your cooler, and they work double duty – cooling devices and (eventually) ice cold water for you to drink.

Vegetables

Celery and carrot sticks as well as cucumber and zucchini slices are a nutritious snack to have on hand. Once again, pick those vegetables that your group likes.

If they don’t care for veggies at home, they won’t like them any better at the beach. All vegetables will keep well in your cooler. Bring along a veggie dip if your group likes to dip their vegetables and everyone will be contented.

You can also buy fresh hot corn at the beach, this is a healthy snack worth grabbing

Pretzels

These salty easy beach snacks are low in fat and provide a satisfying crunch that will fill you up. A common problem when eating at the beach is that food always tastes salty. Since pretzels are already salty you won’t really notice the extra salt left behind by the water on your hands, making pretzels the perfect beach snack. Pack the big kind so they don’t break in when mixed in with all of your beach toys and accessories.

Cheese

A great good source of protein, pack a variety of cubed cheeses for your day at the beach. Cheese goes well with fruit and nuts as well as vegetables. Cheese keeps well in the cooler and is fantastic finger food. String cheese is usually individually packaged and much enjoyed by children who like cheese. Maybe some smoked Gouda or Cheddar for the older crowd. Again select cheeses everyone likes.

100-Calorie Packs

These are perfectly portioned into healthy snacks but are also easily transportable, making them great healthy snacks for the beach. Instead of carrying a big bag of chips or cookies, you can just throw in a couple of small 100-calorie bags that take up less space. It will be easy to find something for everybody since you have a lot of options from cookies to chips.

Roll-Up Sandwiches

For your next lazy day of seaside fun, substitute messy traditional sandwiches with delicious roll-up sandwiches. Simply take whole wheat tortillas, fill them, roll them tightly, and either eat them “burrito style,” or cut them up into little pinwheels.

Need filling ideas? Try:

• Peanut butter and jelly
• Hummus (roasted garlic hummus is amazing in roll-up sandwiches)
• Cream cheese with roasted peppers and onions
• Tuna salad
• Chicken Salad
• Avocado and cheese

Make sure to pack them into a cooler with some type of ice pack so that they stay chilled throughout the day.

Crudites Are The Perfect Choice

Hummus, low-fat cream cheese, and low-fat cottage cheese all pair beautifully with veggies. Pack carrot sticks, celery, thick cucumber slices, cauliflower, broccoli, and cherry tomatoes into one container, and pack your vegetable dips into a second container for an easy-to-eat, refreshing treat after a hot day on the sand.

Swimming in the ocean and walking down the shoreline really do work up your appetite. It is really easy to pack great food and plenty of snacks for the beach in your beach bag or a small cooler.

That doesn’t mean you can’t also treat your kiddo to an ice cream, of course!

We hope you enjoyed this list of healthy and easy beach snack ideas for kids. If you’re heading out for a day at the beach, then pack some of these healthy, delicious snacks.

Each one of these beach snack ideas offers a blend of protein and carbohydrates that will keep you going strong all day!

Enjoy your delicious day at the beach, and don’t forget the sunscreen!

More Beach Fun

• Free Printable Beach Scavenger Hunt Game
• Sand (Without the Stress): Preparing a Great Day at the Beach
• Beach Party Theme
• Printable Beach Checklist

Free Printable Beach Scavenger Hunt Game