Vegan Kid Snacks

It's overcast today, and slightly gloomy.  I feel just like the grown-up Southern California equivalent of that kid in The Snowy Day.  Last night in a dream, I saw the weather page from the L.A. Times.  It forecast 200 degree highs for the Valleys until Friday, when it would cool slightly.  But when I woke up this morning it was still gray and cool and I put on long pants and went to Desmond's preschool for a back-to-school meeting. 

School starts next week, and it's time to start thinking about snacks.  I already signed up for three snack days at the preschool this month.  With the toddler set, snack is a meal in its own right.  It comes at 10:00.  Often again around 3:00.  And I'm learning to plan for it at the beginning of the week, just like I do dinner, so that I don't blow this twice daily opportunity to get some good food into that little growing body.  

Here's an awfully incomplete list of snacks we like.  A lot of them are recipes from here, some are things you can just go and buy from the store, and some are indispensable recipes from other sites.  I would love it if you would add to the list in the comments.  I even have a tiny treat to entice you to share.  Remember that new children's book I was just talking about?  The author sent some cute buttons of a couple characters in the story along with my review copy.  I'll send two of you a button and a homemade snack.  (So, let's keep it in the Continental U.S.)  I'll draw two names at random in two weeks from the comments here.  Just leave a note about your favorite kid snack.  (Even if you don't have them!  What did you love to snack on when you were a kid, or what healthy snacks have you been making that you just bet a kid would love?) 

• Oatie Bars
• Cheese Crackers (I've been meaning to order a tiny fish cutter, but in the meantime, I just cut squares in irregular cheese-it style.)
• Pudding Cups
• Dried Mango (And, of course, other dried fruit, but both my boys are just such huge fans of dried mango.  They sell the unsweetened variety in the bulk bins at Whole Foods and also packaged at our Trader Joe's.  Tastes like candy and high in iron.)
• Mini Muffins (This zucchini cake will also make you a million mini muffins to put in the freezer.  This sweet potato muffin is great for small children too because it's not very sweet.)
• Oatmeal Cookies
• Fruit (duh.) (Both my boys are currently watermelon crazy.)
• Whole Wheat Pretzel Sticks with Cashew Cheese Dip
• Crackers and Peanut Butter
• Soy Yogurt (I like Wildwood.)
• Edamame
• Carrot Sticks with tahini dip (Though to be honest, I'm the one that wants the tasty dip - Desmond prefers his carrots bunny-style - uncut, greenery attached.)
• Somewhat healthy milkshakes
• All sorts of smoothies
• Popsicles
• Toasted Tortilla Wedges and Bean Dip
• Toasted Pita Wedges and Hummus 

Update:  Thank you everybody for sharing all of your creative ideas!  I'm sending a little love to Amity (comment #26) and Amy (comment #13).  If you two didn't get my email, send me your mailing address and I'll get your pin and treat in the mail!