Pool Snack Ideas for Kids

Especially during this heatwave, we’ve been utilizing our pool membership often. Ours doesn’t have a snack bar so there are staple foods I keep on hand to grab and go to the pool with my kids. Because we go so often, I really try to keep things somewhat healthy, but also want to keep things easy!

I’m going to start with one of my favorite pool foods, stolen from a friend…

• Frozen Mango! You can keep it in a cooler with ice packs, but it will still melt a little. By the time you go to eat it, it’s perfectly cold but not too frozen. We rarely bring any home. Frozen peaches also work well.

The mango stands on its own because YUM! The rest of my list of go-to pool snack ideas include:

• Veggie straws might be magic. The kids love them! And I keep my fingers crossed the veggie powder does provide some nutritional value more than regular potato chips.
• String cheese sticks. But only bring enough for each person and keep near your freezer packs so they don’t go bad!
• Fruit. Watermelon, mandarins, grapes, bananas, strawberries, pineapple. Whatever you can clean and pack up. With my smaller kids, it does take extra prep time to cut and pack up.
• Smucker’s Uncrustables. Yes, PB&J is easy to make, but these are just so easy! Keep it in your freezer to use whenever you need them. I just wish they made ones with sunflower butter!
• Yogurt tubes. We keep ours in the freezer to be used whenever we need them. It’s a nice, frozen treat. Similar to the cheese sticks, keep these near your freezer packs!
• Applesauce. Dump some into serving sized containers or GoGo SqueeZ pouches if I’m in a hurry. When I plan ahead enough, I make my own apple sauce in the crockpot.
• Cheddar bunnies. Or Goldfish, cheeze-its, etc. Crunchy for my cheese-head kids.
• Pirates Booty is messy but delicious. It’s better they eat this stuff outside where I don’t have to vaccum up their crumbs!
• Steamed sweet potato. When I did Whole30, I learned a delicious and easy way to prepare a single sweet potato. I package in a tupperware with the other hot items.
• Dill pickles. Is it just my kids that love pickles? When they make their own lunch, pickles are often a staple!
• Cherry tomatoes. I’m the only one that eats these but they’re SO GOOD! And healthy. Win win! Carrots, celery and peanut butter or snap peas also do the trick.
• Bubly and/or Hint water. Yes, this is for me, but it’s nice to add a little bubbly or flavor to your drinks! Blackberry is my favorite for both.
• Freezer pops. What’s a list of pool foods without some sort of popsicle treat?
• RXBars. They’re quick and easy to eat, filling, and low B.S.

When I asked my kids their favorite pool foods, they both immediately screamed, “PIZZA!” So of course, putting it out there that ordering pizza delivery is always an option we consider too. Or bringing food for the grill (hot dogs, chicken, hamburgers, buns, ketchup, veggies, etc.).

We don’t bring all of these items every time, but it certainly gives us some options to choose from so things don’t get boring. And, it helps keep off the hangry attitudes.

A few other non-edible and non-essential go-to pool items include:

• Pampered Chef 1-Quart Micro-Cooker. If we’re eating dinner at the pool, I steam frozen veggies in my micro-cooker and then bring them along. The 1-quart is big enough for a side of veggies, and I just pop it into a lunchbox to keep them warm.
• OXO food containers with locking lids. I’ve never had one leak before! They’re also microwavable.
• Scout cooler bags. Pool bag, soccer game bag, whatever. This is a great size and keeps the food cool enough that I don’t feel the need to buy a crazy expensive Yeti bag.
• Puddle Jumper. I’ve gotten so much use out of our puddle jumper. But also know it is for use in addition to an adult supervision (not in lieu of).
• Battery Operated Mini Fan. Maybe we’re a bit diva, but when my littlest takes a nap in the stroller, I like to have a fan on hand to keep her cool. This fan with rechargeable batteries has been so awesome during these heat waves!
• Pottery Barn Kids water bottles. The designs wear off after a year or so, but they don’t leak and keep drinks cold through the heat! They come in different sizes too, but I go for the ones small enough to fit in their school lunch boxes.
• Pottery Barn Kids beach towels. The designs are fun and the quality is great! My kids love their towels!
• Spoons, forks, plates, napkins. We rarely use them, but good to have on hand just in case!
• Unicorn pool float. Yup, we were gifted a pool float. And yes, this thing comes with us to the pool now every time. Don’t worry, we share.
• Freshly freezer pack. Yes, this is the freezer pack that comes with my Freshly meal service delivery, but we’ve found nothing to compare to these monsters. You want your food cold? Get yourself some good meals and a free ice pack to use for the pool!

Do you have any other pool snack ideas that your kids love and are easy to pack up? If so, please comment below and share! Happy Summer!