I just HAD to share with you fellow lazymoms my latest stroke of genius. Be prepared to be blown away here... seriously. It's goo-OOd.
As I'm sure most of you moms can attest to as well, my children are non-stop askers for snacks. Let me stress the words NON and STOP. Can I get a witness??
With three days of school left in the school year, I've been trying to think of some good ideas for ways to keep my kids busy this summer, but also keep MY sanity this summer! The first obstacle to my "summer sanity" that I knew I had to tackle was the non-stop-asking-for-snacks thing. I'm pleased to announce that I came up with a good one! And yes, I'm aware that I'm incredibly humble. It's something I have to live with daily.
BEHOLD.... Lazy Mom Tip #21....
Now before you all start breaking out into applause and mailing me gift certificates for outrageous amounts of money to my favorite restaurants, let me tell you a little bit about my snack bin.
*Ahem*
You could obviously buy prepackaged items, but to save on money, LazyDad and I, bought large amounts of snacks from Sam's Club and Walmart and then filled snack size ziploc bags with it. My plan is to refill it once a week. It took about 30 minutes to fill this tub full of goodies.
On the side of the bin I have magnets of fresh fruits or veggies they can also choose as a snack. My bin is metal, so this works. If you choose a plastic bin, this won't work. [Just trying to make it plain. I know you would have NEVER figured that out on your own. Your welcome.] So for this week, I currently have apples and bananas on hand, so those are the two magnets I put on the bin. Got it? Good.
Another thing I want to point out... just because this is a snack bin, does NOT mean that my little darlings can just run and get something out of it whenever they want. They still have to ask me. Otherwise, the thing would be cleaned out in ONE. DAY. Plus, lots of times they want a snack right before dinner and I want them to wait until dinner to eat. So there.
Wondering what to fill your bin with? Here's what I have:
- Cheeze-its
- pretzels
- raisins
- popped popcorn
- Gold Fish
- granola bars
- Animal Crackers
- dry cereal
Feel free to leave a comment if you have any good snack ideas that you are going to put in your lazymom snack bin!
LONG LIVE THE LAZYMOM SNACK BIN!!!
LM1
chocolate pudding packs that you mix with milk or water :)
ReplyDeletegreat idea...you are awesome!
That's a great idea! I too have a snack basket within their reach filled with snacks. Mine isn't metal though so I can't put the magnets on it. Something to think about! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat Idea!! It seems we should give choices to kids as often as possible. Yesterday I was having my nails done and a mom with 3 young daughters came in. They each picked out their own color for their toes! But what I loved is that te mom kept saying "You can have whatever you want." That's better than candy when your 6-7-8 years old. And it makes up for a lot of times when they cannot have anything they want.
ReplyDeleteI have a snack bag - a Dora bag my daughter was given for Easter. I walk (for exercise) with the kids in the stroller multiple times a week so I can hang this bag on my stroller and keep it handy. I keep it stocked with many of the same items but also always have one of those fruit/veggie baby food pouches - my 2 year old loves those! Glad I'm not the only one who's kids constantly want snacks! :-)
ReplyDeleteI do this for the kids snacks to take to school as well.
ReplyDeleteWe have a snack basket in the pantry and in the fridge! Takes a bit of effort when you come home from the store (filling snack sized containers :)) but it is SO worth it. My kids (10, 3, 2 and 1) still have to ask for a snack but it saves lots of time and my sanity.
ReplyDeleteI've only ever done this on trips. I like the idea of doing it at home too. Right now my idea of a snack for the kids is fruits or vegies that they can snag outta the fridge or garden. My 3 year old however has figured out that if she runs across the yard to grannies she gets cookies! (I really have to talk to mom about hiding them)I do have seeds and nuts in snack bags but they are hidden cos they eat them in a day or take a lil from each bag! I have to get more variety. Maybe by the end of the summer! LOL! My 13 year old is moving outta town so this would be a good idea to send a duffle full of snack bags for his school lunches since I won't be there to help him make them. Less hassle for his uncle too if he don't have to buy more food for a teen boy!
ReplyDelete