When kids are in school, sometimes there's a long stretch between lunch and the end of school so when they get home, they are hungry. It's up to you to choose the appropriate snacks for them to make a healthy choice.
Typically the standard type of snack for kids after school is cookies, which are very high in fat. They are easy access food but are not the best choice as a snack. You need to provide snacks that are high in vitamins and low in fat; this is the best choice.
Veggies. If you keep vegetables cut up and available at all times, it's easy to give your child serving after school. Try cutting up carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, and celery and keeping them in the refrigerator. You can also keep a vegetable dip prepared if your children don't like eating vegetables without any dressing.
Fruits. Fruit is another great snack for kids after school. Keeping apples, pears, strawberries, peaches, and plums stocked in your refrigerator will give your kids the opportunity to eat these healthy snacks. When you get home from the store, wash your fruit immediately and put it in a bowl where your kids can have easy access to it.
Certainly the best alternative to give your kids for snacks are natural types of food such as nuts, dried or dehydrated fruit, cheese, or popcorn. And always offer then a glass of milk instead of soda or imitation fruit juice.
The important thing you need to know is your kids should have snacks that are low in preservatives and food coloring and high in nutritional value. These are the best types of foods to have available for your children.
Allowing your kids to use peanut butter as a dip is great; it adds protein and taste and limits the unhealthy calories they get from other types of foods.
There are a great many snack items in the grocery store that aren't healthy foods to have for your kids to snack on. It's up to you to change their eating habits and give them a healthier alternative to cookies and junk.