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10 Easy Pool Snacks That Will Keep Your Kids Full

Meghan Splawn
Meghan Splawn
Meghan was the Food Editor for Kitchn's Skills content. She's a master of everyday baking, family cooking, and harnessing good light. Meghan approaches food with an eye towards budgeting — both time and money — and having fun. Meghan has a baking and pastry degree, and spent the first 10 years of her career as part of Alton Brown's culinary team. She co-hosts a weekly podcast about food and family called Didn't I Just Feed You.
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updated Aug 6, 2020
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My family and I are currently hitting our neighborhood pool every afternoon to beat the heat. There’s only one problem: Swimming seems to double (or even triple) my kids’ snack appetite and it feels like I can’t keep our pool bag stocked for long. On a mission to buy fewer packaged snacks and keep them full from after pool snack time until dinner, I rounded up 10 of our favorite snacks that just happen to be perfect for packing for the pool.

1. Farmers Market Breakfast Bread

This bread is everything. Not only is it full of fresh farmers market veggies, but it also has whole-wheat flour and eggs to keep the kids full. Slice it before you leave to make eating it al fresco easier.

Credit: Kelli Foster

2. No-Bake Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

These look fancy enough for a party, but they take less than 10 minutes to mix up, travel surprisingly well, and the cream cheese filling makes them a more substantial snack than fruit alone.

Credit: Emma Christensen

3. How To Make Crispy Roasted Chickpeas in the Oven

Don’t be turned off by the idea of heating the oven here! You can also make these crispy chickpeas in a toaster oven or air fryer. But trust me when I say, make a double batch because these won’t last long.

Credit: Emma Christensen

4. Smoked Almond Snack Bars

These bars are like a sweet and savory Kind Bar. The smokiness of the almonds isn’t overt or overpowering, but gives these a subtle kick that grown-ups will appreciate.

Credit: Maria Siriano

5. Ham and Cheddar Lunch Box Muffins

These muffins are part sandwich, part muffin, and part cornbread. Plus, they are pre-portioned in their own wrapping, making them nearly perfect for taking to the pool.

Credit: Yossy Arefi

6. Coconut Snowballs 

You could pick nearly any energy bite for the pool. They transport well, are super filling, and are fun to eat. But these coconut snowballs are as creamy and cooling as the name implies and really hit the spot after a hot day at the pool.

Credit: Ghazalle Badiozamani

7. Easy No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars

These no-bake bars also have just five ingredients and are easy enough that your second-grader could make them (mine does).

Credit: Joe Lingeman

8. How To Make Jello Jigglers

Take this as your annual reminder that you can take any fruit liquid — juice, purée — and turn it into jello. Plus, the gelatin that makes this possible has added protein, making these a fun, filling snack.

Credit: Joe Lingeman

9. Creamy Vegan Chia Pudding

Chia pudding requires zero cooking and is both cooling and filling. Opt for plastic containers for these pint-sized puddings, as most pools don’t allow glass.

Credit: Naomi Robinson

10. Summer Fruit Spring Rolls

Okay, these fruity spring rolls do require a little bit of work, but your kids can help with the slicing and rolling. These are so fun to eat and another way to make refreshing fruit more filling for the pool.

What are your favorite snacks to bring to the pool?

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children
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