One of the challenges for parents, especially moms, these days is to provide healthy snacks for their children when they go to school. Some don’t have time to shop for healthy ingredients and prepare, while others just don’t know which snacks fall under the ‘healthy’ category.

Giving your child money and letting him decide what snack to buy at school is really not a good idea. A child is generally attracted to sweet things, and that is what he would probably buy with his money. Driving through a fast food restaurant to pick up his snack before dropping him off at school isn’t a better idea either. You will only be loading your body with unhealthy ingredients.

Well, there are snacks you can make that won’t be harmful to your child and won’t take you hours to make. Here are some of them:

peach popsicles – Kids (of all ages) love those literally cool pops. Instead of giving your child one with condoms, why not make one of your own? You can use peaches (or any of your child’s favorite fruits, for that matter) to make a peach puree and freeze it.

watermelon sauce – If your child loves tortilla chips (who doesn’t?), instead of making tomato sauce, make it more exciting by substituting watermelon. This is especially ideal during those hot days.

Pick those pickles – You can certainly get canned pickles at the grocery store. But there is nothing better than something made in your own home. Your own loving touch adds something more to the food that no food store can offer. Pickles can be made in a jiffy, plus they can stay in your fridge for up to 10 days.

polenta cookies – These crispy golden slices can make a nice contrast when paired with fruit or a hot beverage (such as tea). The name of this snack may sound intimidating, but you really don’t have to be an expert baker to make them. You just need a few basic ingredients and some kitchen magic.

cornish pasties – This snack is well known and loved throughout Great Britain. It’s great for your child’s lunch or snack. You can even have it as a main course by serving it with fresh vegetables.

Banana Yogurt Smoothie– Nothing beats fresh fruit as a healthy snack option. And if you combine fruits like bananas with dairy, you have a mini-meal that is filling and good for your health.

Here are some snack ideas that you can prepare for your child without compromising their health. This can give him the peace of mind that he only consumes the good stuff whenever he is at school.