Back to School Snacks from Snackpicks

Elizabeth

Mother of 3

Back to Basics for Back to School.

Back to school, already? Wasn't it just the last day of school? Well, it's nearly that time again!

There's so much to do and this is the time of year when the questions really start pouring in: Do we need new backpacks? Have the kids outgrown their school clothes? Is summer reading finished? What about school supplies — where did that list go?

Back-to-school time can be sad news for kids, so it's helpful to have activities to reinforce that summer is winding down and school is just around the corner.

For example, I love shopping for school supplies and one of my fondest memories from growing up was when my mother and my friend's mother took us shopping for school supplies every August. After a full morning of shopping together, we always went out to lunch afterward. My friend and I have been doing the same with our own kids for ten years now, and even the high schoolers still want to do it. Just as soon as August arrives, they'll start asking when we're going.

Once school has begun, we've all got to be prepared for each day so the key for us is to plan as much as possible before bedtime. I keep an "out the door" list posted by the back door which details everything each person needs for their day, for each day of the week. The kids check it at night, pack everything up and place it there by the back door.

I also make my kids responsible for getting out their clothes for the next day. It definitely makes mornings more pleasant around here when we're not rifling through clean laundry or scouring the house for a belt at 7:00 a.m.!

Another important part of getting ready for the school day is making sure everyone has what they need to eat. Back-to-school time is the time to restock the pantry with "on-the-go" food. My second grader will need to take a snack to school each day and Rice Krispies Treats and Nutri-Grain Cereal Bars will be two of our snack staples. Last year, my seventh grader decided he was tired of sandwiches, so we agreed that he could take Austin Peanut Butter Crackers and some fruit and cheese which made a great meal and were quick to pack in a lunchbox. And never forget to stock up on snacks for the soccer team at the back-to-school sales; Fudge Shoppe on-the-go packs are a favorite.

Back-to-school time can be hectic, but it's also a great time for fresh routines and some structure after the lazy days of summer. Plan ahead for a successful school year so everyone's relaxed and ready to go on that big first day!

Hungry for more? Snack on these other great ideas...

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All-Day Snack Center

Whether they're in a backpack, at the table, between meals and classes, or after dinner and homework, portioned and planned snacks are the right idea. Make sure you stock your "All-Day Snack Center" with some of the following great snacks:

	Keebler Cookies and Fudge Shoppe varieties: Setting out cookies and milk for kids is one way moms can create a special time after a busy school day.
	Kellogg's Rice Krispies Treats: These bars are ooey, gooey family favorites that are still 90 calories* and promise to sweeten up any lunchbox. *The 22g Original Rice Krispies Treats Bar
	Gripz Cheez-It Crackers and Gripz Keebler Chips Deluxe Rainbow Chocolate Chip Cookies: These are all the snacks and the fun sizes tweens just love! They are Mighty Tiny versions of kids' favorite snacks and the Rip 'N Tip pouches are easy to pack and easy to pop.

Getting Back on Track

The first few weeks back after a long, lazy summer is a difficult transition for most families. Suddenly, new meetings, new commitments and new responsibilities fill our busy schedules. But sitting down and creating a plan for the school year can help relieve some of the stress and erase feelings of being overwhelmed.

Here are some clever thoughts to consider when it's time for your family to carve up a schedule:

	Start with the Morning: Once everyone is on the same page at the beginning of the day, it's easier to stay on track for the rest of the day!
	Don't Forget the Chores: Even though schedules are busy with new homework assignments, club meetings and sports practices, it's still important to have a schedule of cleaning, picking up and helping around the house.
	Schedule "You" Time: It's easy to be consumed with arranging schedules for our children that we forget about ourselves. Make sure to make time for yourself. Pencil in a walk, open a magazine for half an hour, or meet a friend for a cup of coffee.
	Remove Distraction: Turn off the TV and the cell phones when your family is engaged in other activities. This practice will help keep everyone focused, on time and on schedule.

Save on School Lunches

When packing school lunches, it's helpful to find ways to cut costs. But the following ideas for school lunches will not only help your family save money, but also help save the environment.

Use a lunch box or reusable bag instead of paper or plastic bags.

Don't forget about leftovers! Packing leftovers in your child's lunch can save you time and energy, and kids love them.

If they're old enough to use utensils, use stainless-steel or acrylic instead of using disposable plastic utensils.

Pour drinks in an insulated, reusable container like a Thermos®.

Avoid wrapping food in plastic wrap, bags, wax-paper or aluminum foil which is generally thrown out automatically. Instead, pack foods in plastic, reusable containers that your child can collapse and store in their lunch box.

Recycle any containers that can't be used again.

Mix In Some Back to School Fun

Snackpicks.com™ is happy to suggest a variety of products that can be part of every school day. Here is a taste of some of our favorites ideas to deliver tasty snacks for your children:

	Keebler Animal Crackers, Keebler Grahams and Keebler Vanilla Wafers are simple snacks that kids love. Pair one serving of these favorites with fresh fruit or low-fat yogurt for a nutrient-rich snack.
	Keebler Scooby Doo Bones and Keebler Bug Bites are graham snacks that are sure to capture your little one's attention. Both offer a good source of calcium and make a great accompaniment to low-fat milk.
	Mix Cheez-It Reduced-Fat Crackers with nuts, dried fruit and whole-grain cereal for a tasty trail mix that offers three food groups in one!

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