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We are right in the middle of summer, and for the first part of it I felt like I’m spending the majority of my day getting snacks for my kids. I realized there had to be a better way- and by making just a few smart changes, I fixed that!
First, I moved the drinks to a spot where they could reach them. We had an entire shelf of reusable water bottles in our cabinet that were just sitting there, but I decided to put them to work. I filled up a bunch of them and put them in the fridge so that every time we leave the house, the kids can grab a water since it’s over 100 degrees every day. They’re also welcome to grab the water bottles any time they’re thirsty- it’s so important to stay hydrated, especially in the summer. Each night I check and see which ones need to be refilled and which need to be washed and act accordingly.
In addition to the easy access to water {and other suitable beverages}, I put the drawer in my fridge to good use! We have a drawer between the upper level, which is the fridge, and the lower level, which is the freezer, and that drawer is the perfect height for both kids. I keep some perishable snacks in there, like carrots and apples, so that they can always grab something fresh.
Finally, and definitely the one the kids were most excited about, I made a snack station! The snacks were kept on a really high cabinet before- even I had a hard time reaching them. Now, they’re easy to access right on the kitchen counter. I didn’t want to just leave boxes of food out all the time, so I made this really cute snack station that I don’t mind seeing on the counter!
To make the snack station, I used a condiment caddy from my local craft store- it was supposed to be $15 but because it’s the end of the outdoor season, it was only $3! {I’ve definitely seen them at Target, too- so you could totally pick one up while picking up the snacks that go inside the station!}
Then, I added these adorable chalkboard clip-on labels from Bullseye’s Playground at Target- that section in front that has fun, seasonal items for just a few dollars. I got a pack of four of these for just $1 and they already had the clothespins attached, which make it super easy to take the labels down and re-clip them every time I need to change the labels!
Lately, this cute snack station has been filled with some of our new favorite snacks from Jif! We’ve been having fun and trying all the different new Jif snacks at Target, but two of our absolute favorites are the Jif® Power Ups™ Creamy Peanut Butter Chewy Granola Bars and the Jif® Power Ups™ Creamy Peanut Butter Creamy Clusters!
The Jif Power Ups Granola Bars are great for at-home and on-the-go, and will make for the perfect school snack when school starts next month. The Jif Creamy Clusters are perfect for lunchboxes, too! Both the granola bars and the clusters are available in other delicious flavors too, like strawberry and even chocolate! I grew up on Jif Peanut Butter and I’m raising my kiddos on it, too, so I am so excited that our absolute favorite peanut butter is now available in our favorite food group- snacks!
Of course, having good tasting snacks isn’t the only thing that matters, so I’m happy to report that these snacks are made with no corn syrup and have peanuts as the #1 ingredient, so it’s a snack you can feel good about giving to your kids. And of course, they’re made with Jif peanut butter- the #1 brand of peanut butter in the USA!
You can get everything you need for back to school right now at your local Target- supplies for a snack station, backpacks, clothing and of course, school supplies! Be sure to head in soon for a great offer- you can save 30% off any Jif® Power Ups™ snack when you use this Cartwheel Offer now through 8/4/18!
What are some of your favorite ways to let your kids do things for themselves?
My kids are constantly asking for snacks now that they are home all day on summer vacation. This snack station is such a great idea.
Thanks! My kids are the same way- or at least they were! It’s been a game changer.
That is a really cute idea. All the snacks in one place for easy reach and everyone knows what is available. I would still have to hand them out or they would be gone in one day.
Haha! Yes my kiddos know they have restrictions on how many they can have, and they’re still young enough that they actually follow those rules {for now!}
Those JIF bars look bomb! That was totally my favorite peanut butter when I was growing up! YUM!
Same! It’s all we buy and these bars are SO good because they have the Jif peanut butter!
When the kids are home from school you need to have snacks ready almost every hour. This snack caddy with Jif bars is a great idea.
So true! Thanks!
I am the queen of snacks in our house (ha!), so I could really benefit from this. Or just another excuse to keep more snacks around, you know?
Hahaha sounds good to me! I am a big snacker too. I have definitely taken a bar or two from the snack caddy!
Oh this is brilliant! My kids could totally use a snack station over the summer and I love the fact that your creation doesn’t break the bank.
Thank you! I’m sure I could have made something crazy fancy for a lot more money but for under $5, this totally gets the job done!
Snacking is my favorite meal! I love the idea of a snack station. What a great way to see if you are low on snacks!
LOL it’s my favorite meal too!
I haven’t seen these before, they look like they have great texture. That snack station would also come in useful at a yard sale or garage sale for kids to make some money.
They do, and I’m totally weird about textures. These pass my test! And yes that would be awesome for that as well!
Ok. The water idea is brilliant. My toddler always grabs her water going out the door but my teen always forgets. She complains the whole time we are away from the house. If it’s in the fridge then maybe….maybe she will remember!
Yes! I always make sure there are several bottles that way even if they leave one in the car and go out later, there’s still another cold one!
I am totally making a snack station for back to school! I can’t wait to fill it with lots of snacks!
Hope it helps make the back to school craziness a little easier!
I need to try those Jif Powerups for myself. I need a new bar to keep in my bag!
Love this idea! It would be great for a party, picnic or just to survive the summer with kids out of school. lol.
Oh these looks delicious. A great snack for after workout. I think my kids would love these too.
I love this idea! Some days we are literally only home to recharge, so this would be a perfect idea for us. Our house feels like a hotel sometimes, because we come home to eat and change!
What a cute ideas for snack basket my family likes Jif as well. You are very creative I need to re organize ours.
a snack station is SUCH a good idea. I’d never think of that but may have to make one now. So fun
What a great idea. I don’t have any kids of my own, but i get really busy with work and school and sometimes I don’t always have the time to just cook meals. A snack station would make it easier for me to grab and go.
I love this idea! A couple colleagues recently retired that always hooked us up with snacks. Maybe I’ll step up to the plate and do something like this.