With summer in full swing, my kids need food constantly. Like they probably eat the equivalent to a teenager. So I created a snack station for kids that was both easily accessible, but wasn’t piled with too much food. Then I had the genius idea to help create a snack station for a client who was struggling with pantry organization because the kids were snacking on everything. So I broke down the steps I used to create a snack station for kids.

How To Create A Snack Station For Kids

This post was created in partnership with Iris USA and Practically Perfect LA. Some links may contain affiliates. For more, please read my disclosure policy.

Placement

In order to create the perfect snack station for kids, you need to find the perfect placement. For this client, we picked some low cabinets that the kids can access. The current space wasn’t being utilized as perfectly as it could, so we reworked it by removing everything from the cabinet. This space was holding kitchen gadgets like the slow cooker and Instapot, along with other items that had never been used or rarely used.

We sorted through the items that were currently in the cabinet and edited it down to only items that the current homeowner used. Every other kitchen gadget that was being stored in this cabinet went into donation/sell pile.

Then we kept two shelves in the cabinet to act as a snack station for kids. The bottom shelf of the cabinet is holding the slow cooker and Instapot. Because these items were so big, this was the best placement for them. The client said the kids really don’t touch those items either, making this the perfect spot for a snack station.

Storage

Once you have found the perfect placement for snack storage, we need to create a plan for storing those snack items. I used the Iris medium stacking bins in clear to hold bags of chips and bars.

I like these stacking bins because they are perfect for smaller pantries or snack stations. This way you can fill up the station every night and only let the kids nosh on the items that are in the station for the day. It is an easy way to limit some of the “junk food” they want to snack on throughout the day.

Plus you are able to teach them to pace out their favorites. For example, my kiddos love Pirate’s Booty. But if I let them eat all the bags in one sitting, they wouldn’t have any for later in the afternoon. So my kids have learned to pace themselves with their snacks throughout the day.

Set Up

Finally, setting up your snack station for kids will help guide them as to things to eat during the day. I try to be rather thoughtful about what I recommend putting in the snack station.

These bins I selected for this client can hold between 4-8 bags of chips. I like this because the kids can grab and go as they please, but they aren’t going to be able to nosh on food all day. There is a set limit you are putting on the snacks. For younger kids, you are able to allow for independence while still maintaining appropriate eating habits.

And don’t forget to add labels to your bins! I created these custom labels for this client to use on the Iris bins. I think they are adorable and can easily be swapped out if the kids want other snacks instead of the current ones.

Keep Them Busy

One last thing I do when the kids continue to snack… I give them something to do so they don’t just eat themselves silly! I have stored all our Kid Made Modern crayons and colored pencils in Iris USA large supply cases. These cases are perfect for holding the rock crayons and the giant crayons that my kids love. Plus they are portable so I can grab a box and bring it to the kitchen table as I am making lunch or dinner!

Now, head over to Practically Perfect’s blog to read about how they organize after school afternoons!! Joni and Kitt have tons of great ideas for getting organized for back to school!