I know my kids aren’t immune from typical school lunch antics. Surely they grab a seat next to their friends and begin the daily rummage through their lunch box contents assessing the choices of the day, frantically unwrapping and munching their treat first, then trading the foods they don’t want with friends and tossing the ones nobody wants at all. I can try my best to provide a healthy, balanced packed lunch for each kid, but once that lunch box leaves the station, there’s no telling what makes it into my kids’ mouths.
But I do have control (well, as much control as any mom can have!) over what they consume at home.
So providing healthy snacks and a balanced dinner at home each night is the only way I can be sure my kids get the protein and nutrients they need each day.
No. It doesn’t always happen. Sometimes dinner is take-out. Or the kids snacks are from the drive-through. Some days, I end the day happy just knowing my kids didn’t starve. Lord knows, we’re far from perfect in this family when it comes to food and eating.
Include a Glass of Milk to Make Kids Snacks Healthier
But that’s one reason I make milk a part of my kids’ daily diet. Because I know it provides more protein and essential nutrients than its alternatives. And it’s easy to get them to drink – especially when I pair it with some yummy kids’ snacks.
This is a sponsored conversation on behalf of The National Milk Life Campaign’s Back-to-School Program. However, all opinions are authentic and my own. Please see my disclosure policy.
6 Perfect – & Simple – Kids Snacks to Pair with a Healthy Glass of Milk
1. Milk & A Granola Bar
A simple twist on a bowl of cereal, serving milk with a granola bar is a favorite for my kids.
2. Milk & Toast
If you’re looking to add a bit more fiber to your child’s day, whole wheat toast is a great option to pair with milk. We like to top ours with peanut or almond butter for some additional protein and flavor.
3. Milk & Fruit
Bananas or strawberries are our go-to fruit picks when pairing with milk. Both fruits are subtly sweet, making them perfect to pair with a delicious glass of milk. Want to make the kids’ fruit snack really fun? Try this easy “Kids in the Kitchen Recipe” for a Silly Strawberry Octopus.
4. In a Milkshake!
The milk itself can be the snack when it’s transformed into a filling and delicious milkshake. Check out this fun and colorful Rainbow Gummy Bear Milkshake recipe to really treat the kids.
5. Milk & Cookies
You knew this was coming. I love to pair milk with the kids’ favorite cookies (like these delicious Cookies with Maple Icing – Yum!) for a special after school snack.
6. One of these 10 Awesome Ways to Make Drinking Milk Fun
The link above offers some super fun ideas. From frozen milk to flavored straws to sprinkles on the rim – check them all out for even more ways to get the kids loving their milk.
For more info on Milk and its benefits, visit MilkLife.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
More Kids Snacks from B-Inspired Mama:
This is a sponsored conversation on behalf of The National Milk Life Campaign’s Back-to-School Program. However, all opinions are authentic and my own. Please see my disclosure policy.
chickie brewer says
October 21, 2015 at 5:33 PMWe love milk! There is milk in our cereal, milk with our yummy desserts and o course I our delicious recipes!
Jennifer Clay says
October 21, 2015 at 12:09 AMMy daughters and my son LOVE milk. I don’t have to do anything special to get them to drink it! They just do!
Chrissy R. says
October 20, 2015 at 11:09 PMWe use chocolate milk as both a reward and good source of protein after physical activity – particularly activities that nobody enjoys such as pulling weeds!
Tina W says
October 20, 2015 at 10:47 PMWe all love milk here, and cereal with milk is often the preferred late night snack.
Maria K. says
October 20, 2015 at 10:29 PMI’d love to win this!
Andrea Sargent says
October 20, 2015 at 9:59 PMWe love milk! We make a lot of hot choc. With it!
Katie Bellamy says
October 20, 2015 at 9:53 PMMy kids want milk with everything! My daughters into chocolate and my son, white is good for him. We go through so much!! 🙂
Amanda says
October 20, 2015 at 9:32 PMWe use milk in cereal, coffee, and smoothies, most of all!
Sherri J says
October 20, 2015 at 9:17 PMMy kids love milk in their cereal. We go through a lot of milk a week.
evans s says
October 20, 2015 at 8:56 PMI keep flavored milk syrups in the fridge so the kids can make their own drinks.
Dianna Davis says
October 20, 2015 at 8:10 PMOur family are great milk drinkers too. Breakfast fruit cereal and milk.Lunch soup sandwich and milk,dinner is always servered with milk. I can’t imagine a meal without it. Even before bed is milk,and a story. Thanks for the giveaway
Tracy Webb says
October 20, 2015 at 7:55 PMI make homemade muffins with milk in them and milk to drink with them.
Emi says
October 20, 2015 at 7:37 PMMy kids get milk with their snack break. A cute straw and a cocktail napkin with a cartoon character makes it fun.
Sunnie says
October 20, 2015 at 6:51 PMMy kids like milk, but we have it in foods, drink it, recipes.
Danielle Royalegacy says
October 20, 2015 at 6:34 PMI don’t need to force milk onto my kids. They drink it every chance they get.
Audrey griffis says
October 20, 2015 at 6:12 PMThanks so much for the chance gram crackers and milk is one of our favorite snacks
Patty wright says
October 20, 2015 at 6:08 PMWe all love milk and use a gallon every two days. Cold milk and bananas or apples for snack
Stephanie says
October 20, 2015 at 5:33 PMWe are BIG cereal eaters at our house. We eat cereal any time of day. We go through a lot of milk for that. Of course, my kids also like Ovaltine!
Jena says
October 20, 2015 at 5:25 PMWe use milk for cereal and drink a glass for each meal!
Taryn T. says
October 20, 2015 at 5:25 PMWe make smoothies, and add milk to them! I also saw a recipe with milk and cocoa, to make an avocado pudding. I want to try that as well!
Vikki Billings says
October 20, 2015 at 5:16 PMMy family drinks a lot of milk, with cereal, smoothies, milk with every meal and also protein shakes! I make sure everyone drinks plenty of milk.
janetfaye says
October 20, 2015 at 4:06 PMWe use milk to make healthy smoothies and drink milk for or with daily snacks.
cassie says
October 20, 2015 at 12:58 PMwe have a glass of milk at every meal! more protein and less sugar than juice. if it’s not milk, it’s water
lissa crane says
October 20, 2015 at 12:18 PMI always flavor my children’s milk! Strawberry is a house favorite, but we have banana, and of course chocolate too!
Meghan B says
October 20, 2015 at 12:12 PMMy daughter has it with dinner
Breanna Pollard says
October 20, 2015 at 12:01 PMI pair it with cereal and oats!
liza vladyka says
October 20, 2015 at 11:47 AMomg we go thru a gallon every 2 days free month would be nice
rachel says
October 20, 2015 at 10:52 AMMilk and cookies afterschool are our favorite. And if they have dessert, it’s with a tall glass of cold milk!!
Julie W. says
October 20, 2015 at 10:26 AMWe do cereal, but also chocolate milk, and fruit smoothies made with milk. I’m not very creative I’m afraid! But my kids just like a big glass of plain, cold milk!
Erinn S says
October 20, 2015 at 10:26 AMWe always start the morning with a bowl of cereal and end it with a glass of milk at dinner erinnsluka@gmail
tracey johnson says
October 20, 2015 at 9:39 AMWe have a glass of milk and fruit for an after school snack
Fiona N says
October 20, 2015 at 9:36 AMMy son loves milk with cereal and chia seeds. I also make smoothies, banana cakes, jello with milk for our diet
Thank You for the chance
Danielle M. says
October 20, 2015 at 9:10 AMCereal, smoothies, in our meals (mashed potatoes, etc).
TallulahJane says
October 20, 2015 at 8:43 AMMy kids like shakes so we make lots of protein smoothies.
Dia says
October 20, 2015 at 8:25 AMWe love milk in healthy fruit smoothies
kathy dalton says
October 20, 2015 at 8:22 AMWe have a glass of milk in the morning with cereal, and a glass of milk with dinner.
lindsay hess says
October 20, 2015 at 8:20 AMWe go through milk very quickly in our house. Most of the time when I need milk for my coffee the kids or my husband have already finished the gallon off 🙁 This would sure help!! Thanks for a great giveaway!
Pam H. says
October 20, 2015 at 8:13 AMI serve my family a glass of milk at breakfast and dinner; sometimes with lunch.
Rebecca Niehaus says
October 20, 2015 at 7:05 AMWe go through lots of milk! My oldest son drinks it at each meal.
Meghan Godby says
October 20, 2015 at 12:12 AMMilk with cereal is the way to go. Extra flavor, hydration, and protein! Would love to win.
Dominique says
October 19, 2015 at 11:42 PMfortunately, my kids love milk! we pair it with everything from cereal, to lunch, to jello, to dinner!
Laura says
October 19, 2015 at 11:18 PMLots of smoothies!
Tammy Woodall says
October 19, 2015 at 11:15 PMWe have milk daily in our cereal or with oatmeal. We also use it as a snack. We put the milk in with Frozen Blueberries and it makes quite a treat.
Claire says
October 19, 2015 at 10:45 PMusually with oatmeal or in a smoothie
Jennifer Wilson says
October 19, 2015 at 10:18 PMMilk is a favorite around here. Cereal for breakfast and milk flavorings make it hard to keep milk in the fridge!
Laura ari says
October 19, 2015 at 9:25 PMI use milk in soups and recipes
Connie Tillman says
October 19, 2015 at 7:44 PMThere are 6 of us in the house hold — we have kids who cereal for breakfast, then drink it during the day. We love milk! Thanks for the chance!
Katherine Hahn says
October 19, 2015 at 4:58 PMMilk is a big part of our daily lives around my house. We drink milk with just about every meal. We also use it in morning cereal and snack time smoothies or just for something to drink!
Neiddy says
October 19, 2015 at 3:00 PMMy kids have a glass of milk with their breakfast, lunch and after school snack. Thanks for the chance to win!
KJ Skib says
October 19, 2015 at 2:37 PMMy daughters have milk with breakfast and dinner every night. Sometimes it includes chocolate, but any way to get them to drink it, right?
Lauren says
October 19, 2015 at 1:32 PMWe make smoothies and use milk with cereal.
Betsy says
October 19, 2015 at 1:05 PMwe go through a LOT of milk at our house!
Alissa R says
October 19, 2015 at 12:25 PMMilk in cereal is the main way we use milk. We also love chocolate milk around here, but it’s probably not all that healthy.
Allison S. says
October 19, 2015 at 12:06 PMWe have milk in the morning with cereal, and a glass of milk with snacks.
Nicki says
October 19, 2015 at 12:05 AMI give the kids some at breakfast and at lunch! We also make smoothies quite a bit, and occasionally milkshakes.
Brynna says
October 18, 2015 at 11:19 PMMy little ones have my husbands metabolism, so we do protein powder in milk at least once a day, usually before bed to help everyone sleep!
Kelley H says
October 18, 2015 at 11:02 PMI incorporate milk in the snack time smoothies I make for my son.
maleficent m says
October 18, 2015 at 4:48 PMwith cereal. we eat a ton of cereal here.
Sarah Hernandez says
October 18, 2015 at 2:22 PMThe kids love milk. They have it with cereal or oatmeal for breakfast, and they always have a glass with either lunch or dinner.
Laura J says
October 18, 2015 at 1:23 PMOh are very lucky that little Carter LOVES milk! We always try to add to meals when cooking too!
Deborah says
October 18, 2015 at 9:16 AMWe have it in cereal every morning
Ashley says
October 18, 2015 at 9:14 AMWe use milk for Cereal and oatmeal every morning!!
Dawn Hecke says
October 17, 2015 at 11:49 PMWe use milk in the morning in cereal,oatmeal and coffee and always have a glass with dinner.
Kristie says
October 17, 2015 at 11:31 PMMy nephew loves milk. He would drink it all day every day if he had his way. He likes other dairy products like ice cream too. I’m not sure about yogurt. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
tina reynolds says
October 17, 2015 at 10:41 PMWe go through a lot of milk my kids love milk with breakfast and with lunch
Angela Saver says
October 17, 2015 at 8:46 PMWe drink a lot of milk in our house! My also make oatmeal & pudding with milk so that helps to get more milk in our diets! Thanks for an awesome giveaway!
andysavi.mom@gmail.com
Barb Miller says
October 17, 2015 at 8:03 PMWe go through about 10 gal a month…! This could really help! We drink it straight or as chocolate milk, it’s used in recipes, with cereal (hot and cold), and to make French toast!
stacey grantham says
October 17, 2015 at 7:04 PMWe go through 2 gallons of milk a week in this house of 4 boys. They enjoy it with cereal, with bananas, and fruit bars. And of course, they enjoy it with a little strawberry or chocolate syrup.
Candace M says
October 17, 2015 at 5:44 PMMy kids only like milk with cereal. I love these ideas.
Ronda says
October 17, 2015 at 2:39 PMMy family goes through 4 -5 gallons of milk a week. This would sure help out.
Maddy says
October 17, 2015 at 1:08 PMLuckily, my 18 m old daughter loves milk and always drinks it with her meals in a sippy & also before bedtime! :o) We’ve also made oatmeal with milk for her, rather than water.
Aaron says
October 17, 2015 at 4:46 AMWe use milk for morning cereal and evening pudding.
Emily N. says
October 16, 2015 at 10:39 PMIt’s used in smoothies, recipes, or just on its own.
Sarah Cool says
October 16, 2015 at 9:38 PMWe love it in smoothies
Samantha Mills says
October 16, 2015 at 8:16 PMWe go through milk so fast in our house. Me and my son drink a lot of as a healthy beverage, and I use it so much when preparing meals and snacks. I’ve always been a big fan of milk and am so happy my little boy likes it just like mommy.
Nicole Sender says
October 16, 2015 at 6:11 PMI incorporate milk into breakfast with cereal, afternoon snacks are peanut butter, crackers and milk. Also milk at dinnertime and at bedtime with a cookie.
Missy says
October 16, 2015 at 4:48 PMWe use milk in smoothies, cereal and drink it for a treat.
Lilith Katz says
October 16, 2015 at 4:46 PMWe use milk in cereal, in smoothies, and in oatmeal
Brianna K says
October 16, 2015 at 3:23 PMWe always have milk to drink for supper in our meals or supper. Milk is one thing that our big sized family loves thanks for the chance!
Diana B says
October 16, 2015 at 9:57 AMIf my kids had their way they would drink milk all day every day, but I use it as a meal drink or as a snack.
Yvie says
October 16, 2015 at 9:37 AMWe go through so much milk…this would be a blessing!
Marija says
October 16, 2015 at 9:16 AMWe have milk with cereal and often in smoothies, too!
meredith says
October 16, 2015 at 5:47 AMMy little girl loves milk so she just drinks it in a cup!
Sarah L says
October 16, 2015 at 12:01 AMMilk on cereal in the morning. Milk to drink with lunch and dinner. Milk in puddings.
Thanks for the contest.
Emily says
October 15, 2015 at 10:35 PMWe have milk on our cereal and sometimes with a meal.
Nancy Loring says
October 15, 2015 at 9:24 PMNow that it is getting colder out we all enjoy drinking hot chocolate made with milk of course.
Ally says
October 15, 2015 at 6:55 PMMilk is a big part of every meal here. Recently, a lot of breakfasts have been a glass of milk with some carnation good start 🙂
Denise Konkel says
October 15, 2015 at 6:49 PMWe go through a ton of milk so this would be awesome. I use milk to make homemade mac and cheese..so good.
wen budro says
October 15, 2015 at 4:50 PMI incorporate milk into our daily diet by adding milk in some way to our breakfasts. I also serve milk as our dinner beverage instead of soda or juice.
Kenny Hall says
October 15, 2015 at 3:28 PMWe always have milk with breakfast..I put some in their oatmeal, too.
Dana says
October 15, 2015 at 2:45 PMMy daughter gets milk at every meal!
Chelsea A says
October 15, 2015 at 1:43 PMI love how functional this giveaway is. We go through a lot of milk at home, for cereal, smoothies, milkshakes, etc … (I also really like dipping waffles in it, is that weird? Haha)
Thank you for the chance!
Kelly McGrew says
October 15, 2015 at 1:24 PMWe like to have milk for breakfast, smoothies, baking, and potato dishes!
Soo says
October 15, 2015 at 1:07 PMMy kids love milk with their cereal and oatmeal in the mornings, and they always drink a cup of milk before their bedtime routine.
Joy Q says
October 15, 2015 at 10:18 AMMy son has cereal in the mornings most mornings and usually has a glass of milk with dinner.
Dianne Hall says
October 15, 2015 at 1:58 AMWe have milk with cereal or as an after school snack with a piece of fruit!
Susan says
October 15, 2015 at 12:49 AMI love making myself and son smoothies everyday with fruit, ice, milk, and kale! Thank you
Birdiebee says
October 14, 2015 at 9:53 PMMilk in the morning on cereal, milk for lunch at school, milk for dinner as well as using milk to make pudding, milk shakes, mashed potatoes and so much more.
Kathryn Hyatt says
October 14, 2015 at 9:44 PMWe drink milk in the morning, and with snacks in the afternoon
Kathy Hanley says
October 14, 2015 at 7:57 PMWe have cereal with milk, chocolate milk in lunch boxes, milk with cookies for a snack and hot chocolate made with milk.
Jenna H says
October 14, 2015 at 7:33 PMMilk is so popular in our house. We use it of course in cereal, in smoothies and the kiddos enjoy a few glasses a day.
lorene desjardins says
October 14, 2015 at 7:22 PMMy kids have milk with their cereal and in their fave smoothies. Thanks for the chance!
Audra says
October 14, 2015 at 6:33 PMMy daughter drinks milk at every meal
shelly peterson says
October 14, 2015 at 6:26 PMWe have milk every morning with cereal and milk or sometimes chocolate milk with dinner. We also enjoy making milkshakes from time to time.
cshell090869 at aol dot com
Carrie Smith says
October 14, 2015 at 5:30 PMMy son is a year so he is still drinking bottles of whole milk– I will continue to ensure that he drinks milk as he grows up, because it is so important! My husband and I drink tons of it, too. Thank you so much for the chance to win!
Tara says
October 14, 2015 at 3:55 PMMy husband and I drink a lot of milk, this would be such a blessing!!
Wehaf says
October 14, 2015 at 3:55 PMWe use milk in our cereal and also it’s our favorite drink at dinner.
Cheryl says
October 14, 2015 at 8:25 AMWe use a lot of milk! Beginning the day with cold cereal and milk and milk with sandwiches at lunch and always at dinner. For snacks we are wearing out our smoothies maker–milk is always the base of these.
Kay says
October 14, 2015 at 2:04 AMWe ration milk in our house. I wish more giveaways were like this, a truly useful item & not something decadent (although there’s nothing wrong with getting something nice once in awhile!). Just that, whoever wins, it’s going to be a real blessing for them, ya know?
Carrie Barron says
October 13, 2015 at 10:13 PMMy son loves to drink milk. He has a cup at each meal and one before bed. This would be awesome to win. Thanks!
Abby Barge says
October 13, 2015 at 6:16 PMI’m working to make my little one drink more milk at breakfast or with cereal!
Nikki says
October 13, 2015 at 1:00 PMBetween my son and my husband, I can barely keep milk in the house! My son is a huge cereal eater and PB sandwiches. I try to have a glass of milk on the table for my son during every meal.
Em Mahr says
October 13, 2015 at 12:30 PMWe use milk in fruit smoothies and on cereal for breakfast and have a glass of milk with dinner each night.
David says
October 13, 2015 at 12:23 PMOur kids eat cereal for breakfast most mornings, which gives them a substantial amount of milk to start the day. Occasionally a local store puts gallon of chocolate milk on sale, and those barely last a day in our fridge.
Laura Bowen says
October 13, 2015 at 11:38 AMWe go through so much milk, about 12 gallons each month, winning this giveaway would be such a blessing