The second my kids walk through the door, it’s like a tornado hit the living room. Backpacks explode, shoes vanish, and someone’s already yelling, “What’s for snack?” That’s when the after school snack board comes to the rescue. It’s basically a mini charcuterie board for kids, but without the fancy name or the stress.

Two kids enjoy a colorful back-to-school snack board with Sunset® Sprinkles tomatoes, Peppy's teeny tiny peppers, strawberries, grapes, clementines, and crackers on a wooden board in a bright kitchen.

We keep it simple with whatever’s in the fridge—usually some fruit, cheese, crackers, and those sweet little SUNSET® Sprinkles® Teeny Tiny Tomatoes my kids treat like candy. Whether they’re coming home from school, sports, or dance, this setup gives them the freedom to build their own plate and gives me a much-needed pause before the dinner chaos starts.

Overhead view of a colorful snack board with Sunset® Sprinkles tomatoes, yellow grape tomatoes, strawberries, grapes, blueberries, cheese cubes, mandarin slices, crackers, and tortilla chips on a wooden board.

It’s easy to prep, fun for the kids, and honestly? It makes me feel like I’ve got my life together. At least until dinner.

Why We Love After School Snack Boards

Snack boards help kids make balanced choices and feel more confident in the kitchen. Mine love helping wash the produce, cut the cheese, and arrange everything on the tray. Some days it’s an artistic masterpiece. Other days it looks like someone dumped a lunchbox upside down. Either way, they’re proud of it and more likely to eat what’s on the plate.

Back-to-school snack board on a kitchen island featuring Sunset® Sprinkles tomatoes, Peppy’s teeny tiny peppers, fruit, cheese cubes, and a letterboard sign reading “Back to School with SUNSET®.”

We turn it into a game when attention spans are low:

  • Build a rainbow on your plate
  • Pick one thing that crunches and one thing that is sweet
  • Try something new

The Power of Washing Produce and Letting Kids Help

Before anything hits the snack board, we always start by washing the fruits and veggies. It’s a small thing, but it sets the tone for the whole week. We rinse everything, lay it out on a towel to dry, and the kids usually jump in to help. It’s not Pinterest-perfect, but it’s a routine. They’re learning how to take care of their food, and I’m quietly checking off “life skills.”

Close-up of hands rinsing Sunset® Sprinkles teeny tiny tomatoes in a large bowl of water over a kitchen sink.

Most of it gets stored in clear containers in the fridge so snack time is less chaotic—when the hangry hits, they can grab what they want and build their own plate without asking me to stop mid-dinner or laundry. Tomatoes are the exception—we leave those on the counter where they actually taste better. Even my picky one will suddenly eat bell peppers if he’s the one who rinsed them and adds them to the tray like he’s on a cooking show.

I’ve noticed when kids feel involved, they’re more likely to be curious and less likely to complain. Letting them help wash, prep, or arrange the snacks gives them a little control—and gives me a little peace. And if that means they get into the salad spinner like it’s a toy and then magically eat more veggies? Totally worth it.

What to Include on Your After School Snack Board

Top-down view of prepped produce and snacks including Sunset® Sprinkles tomatoes, Peppy's teeny tiny peppers, strawberries, grapes, cheese cubes, and tomatoes on a wooden surface in plastic containers.

There’s no right or wrong here, but these are some of the staples that show up on ours week after week:

  • Sweet & Crunchy: SUNSET® Sprinkles® Teeny Tiny Tomatoes are always the first to go. They’re basically snack-time candy.
  • Cheese & Crackers: Cubed cheddar is our go-to. Sometimes we add mozzarella sticks or string cheese if we have them. Pretzels and whole grain crackers round it out and add a good crunch.
  • Fruit Favorites: Blueberries, grapes, apple slices, and mandarin segments.
  • Veggies: SUNSET® Peppy’s Teeny Tiny Peppers are a favorite. One of my kids fills them with cream cheese and calls it his “snack invention.”

Prep Once, Snack All Week

Every Sunday, we take 15 minutes to wash and prep. That’s it. Nothing fancy. Just enough to make the week smoother:

  • Wash and dry all fruits and veggies
  • Store everything in clear bins at kid-eye level
  • Cube cheese in advance
  • Portion dips like hummus or yogurt ranch into small containers
Containers of Sunset® Sprinkles tomatoes, Peppy's teeny tiny peppers, grapes, strawberries, and cheese cubes arranged on a kitchen counter next to a stove.
Stock the fridge with back-to-school staples that make snack boards a breeze. Sunset® Sprinkles and Peppy’s peppers are always the first to go.

When things are prepped and visible, they get eaten. It’s that simple.

Create a Fridge Snack Station

One of the best things we’ve done is create a dedicated snack space in the fridge. We use bins labeled Fruit, Veggies, Dips, and Protein. That way, the kids can build their own plates without needing help or making a mess. It saves time, cuts down on waste, and makes them feel more independent.

Add a Soundtrack to Snack Time

Music helps set the mood. Our Sprinkle in Some Smarts playlist s filled with mellow, focus-friendly songs perfect for homework or creative time.

Pressed by SUNSET® Sprinkles® Tomatoes, because every smart snack deserves a smart soundtrack.

Start a Weekly Snack Board Tradition

We started doing Snack Board Tuesday, and it stuck. One kid gets to be the “snack captain,” choosing what goes on the board and setting it up for everyone. It gives them something to look forward to and builds confidence in the kitchen.

Listen In: How to Build Healthy Habits with Your Kids

For more on getting kids involved in the kitchen, tune into Episode 60 of the Healthy Family Project podcast. We talk all about teaching kids to prep healthy snacks and build independence at their own pace.

Flat lay of back-to-school supplies including Sunset® Sprinkles tomatoes, Peppy's teeny tiny peppers, colored pencils, notebooks, paint set, pencils, ruler, and alphabet magnets on a white background.
From snack time to school time, Sunset® Sprinkles and Peppy’s peppers bring the color — and the crunch — to your kid’s day.

Stronger Together for Healthier Families

Since 2014, Healthy Family Project has been committed to supporting families during the back-to-school season, and this year we’re proud to continue that mission with SUNSET®. As part of our Back-To-School campaign, SUNSET® is helping families build healthier lunchboxes, power up after-school snacks, and add more fresh produce to their daily routines. Their commitment to quality, flavor, and innovation makes them an ideal partner in this effort.

Alongside other like-minded produce brands, SUNSET® is also helping us make a meaningful impact through a donation to the Foundation for Fresh Produce’s K-12 programs. These efforts support nutrition education and increase access to fruits and vegetables in schools and communities across the country. Because when we support families together, everyone wins.