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Having nut-free snacks is a must when up to 5% of children are allergic to peanuts or tree nuts. That means a preschool classroom of 20 children is likely to have at least one child with a nut food allergy. Even if your child is not allergic to peanuts or tree nuts, you will likely need to adjust what your child brings into the classroom to ensure everyone is safe and healthy. So how do you find a fun nut-free snack for a birthday or holiday celebration? Fret no more as we have a full lineup of options to keep your child’s preschool experience nut free. 

What is a food allergy?

More than 1 in 13 children and 1 in 10 adults have a food allergy, meaning they have an adverse reaction to a certain food. Allergens are the part of the food that the body reacts to (usually a protein). The most common allergens affecting children are peanuts, milk, shellfish, and tree nuts (tree nuts are any type of nut that grows on a tree, like almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts, etc.). 

When someone has a food allergy, their body may respond with mild symptoms, like stomach cramps or a rash. Others with food allergies may have more severe symptoms like tongue or lip swelling, dizziness, hives, or even anaphylaxis (a severe, life-threatening response that can affect the whole body). 

Words to Look For When Going Nut Free at School or Home

Even though nut-free snacks and environments are becoming more common, there is still no regulation of the use of words like “nut-free.” This puts more work on families to read ingredient lists carefully (and check them often as ingredient lists are modified regularly). Families also need to do your due diligence at restaurants and play areas that claim to be “peanut-free” or “nut-free.” Ask questions about how those establishments define those phrases to ensure your little one–and their peers–are safe. 

When reading ingredient lists, look for the following: 

• “May contain” often indicates that the nut-free snack was made in a facility that has peanuts or tree nuts. While not part of the ingredient list, there’s still a chance that trace amounts of nuts may have entered the snack. Phrases like “manufactured in a plant with peanut or tree nuts,” also indicate the above. 
• The words “contain peanuts” (or other nuts) or “contains tree nut or peanut ingredients” is a clear sign that the product is not nut-free. 
• Words like “goober peas” are also red flags. Goober peas is another term for peanut. The Food Allergy Support Team offers a great list of additional words that indicate the use of peanut or tree nuts. 

Nut-Free Snack Recipes and Ideas

When it comes to snacks, some of the best nut-free options are whole foods, like fruits and vegetables. Cheese and yogurt can also be good options (just be sure to check the added ingredients, like sugar). If packaged snacks are on the menu, you can be safe with these nut-free options as long as they aren’t produced in a facility with nuts: 

• Pretzels
• Crackers
• Popcorn 
• Chips 
• Rice Krispie Treats 

Brands like MadeGood produce their products in nut-free environments and offer a range of options like granola bars, oat cups, bites, and more. That’s It.com steers clear of 12 common allergens in its ingredient list, including tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, and milk. Amazon offers a variety pack of tree nut- and peanut-free snacks. The Lean Green Bean offers several other suggestions in their post, “Peanut-Free & Tree Nut-Free Packaged Snacks,”,” そして Happiest Baby gives a great rundown of options in “Nut-Free Snacks Ideas for Daycare and School.” 

If you are in a baking mood, here are some great options: 

• “Favorite Peanut-Free Snacks for School” cooks up snack ideas to make at home or buy that are healthy, tasty, and peanut and nut-free (and some are even dairy-free!). 
• Oh She Glows whipped up “18 Portable Allergy-Friendly Snack Recipes! Vegan, Gluten-free, with Nut-free options” (and some are even no-bake recipes). The chocolate protein bites are a big hit with all ages! 
• Happy Kids Kitchen covers handy snack containers, tips, and a range of homemade school snacks ideas that are nut-free, nutritious, and delicious.  

Eat Up More Tips and Lower Your Preschool Costs 

Looking for more inspiration in the kitchen for your little one? Check out our “Fun Indoor Activities for Preschoolers During Winter (or Anytime!)” blog post. 

And, if you haven’t already signed up for tuition support from DPP, be sure to apply for the current year or get ahead by submitting your application for the 2026-27 school year–lower your preschool costs by applying today!