No matter how hearty a lunch they may have had, when the clock strikes 4 pm, it's hard for kids — and kids at heart — not to want an afternoon snack. Instead of settling for everyday chips or candy on account of convenience, give them homemade versions of traditional munchies like granola bars and crackers or creative takes on classic picks that include fruit and milk and are a cinch to prepare. Check out a few of Food Network's favorite snack recipes below, then browse Food Network for more ideas on cooking for kids.

While some boxed granola bars are so chock-full of chocolate and cookies that they seem more like desserts than snacks, Ina's Homemade Granola Bars (pictured above) boast a subtle sweetness without disappointing on flavor. She combines old-fashioned oats, crunchy almonds and coconut with a trio of dried fruits to create a five-star pick that's deliciously easy to eat with little hands. The key to making Ina's recipe is prepping the buttery vanilla honey; this simple mixture will help the ingredients stick together and allow the bars to hold their shape.

Can't decide between sweet and salty? Now you don't have to, thanks to Trisha Yearwood's Sweet and Saltines, a top-rated, five-ingredient recipe. To make them, she takes store-bought saltine crackers and adds her signature homemade touch by topping them with a buttery brown sugar glaze and a layer of rich melted chocolate.

Transform an ordinary glass of milk into an extra-special drinkable treat with the help of frozen fruit. Food Network Magazine purees frozen strawberries, peaches and mixed berries, then adds a cup of milk to create kid-friendly Flavored Milks (pictured right). Make a few batches of the fruit puree ahead of time and keep in the refrigerator for a no-stress snack stirred to order.

If you've ever struggled to convince your little ones to eat plain fruit, the secret may lie in the freezer. While a bowl of ordinary grapes hardly seems interesting to kids, frozen grapes — or other varieties of fruit like orange wedges and  chopped cantaloupe or honeydew — are far more impressive. The novelty of chilly temperatures and changed textures will be a welcome departure from the usual tastes they've come to expect. Browse Food Network Magazine's ultimate guide to frozen snacks for more inspiration and must-see ideas.

Browse Food Network’s favorite recipes for kids for more easy meal ideas and tips for cooking with your family.