Mom's Fridge Hack is BRILLIANT for Kid Snack Organization

Q: How can I create a designated snack area in the fridge for easy access for my children?

Choose a convenient location : Select a space in the fridge that is easily accessible and at your children's eye level. The lower shelves or the bottom part of the door are good options. Clear out the space : Remove any items currently occupying the chosen space and clean it thoroughly. Use containers or bins : Purchase clear storage containers or bins to keep snacks organized and separated to make it easier for your kids to find what they want. Group similar items together : Organize snacks by type, such as fruits, vegetables, yogurt, cheese, or pre-made snack packs. This will make it easier for kids to locate the snacks they are looking for. Label containers or shelves : Clearly label each container or shelf with the type of snack it contains. Keep snacks visible : Arrange snacks so that they are easily visible, either by placing them at the front of the container or by using transparent containers. Rotate items : Regularly rotate the snacks to ensure that the older items are consumed first and nothing goes to waste. Teach your children to pick from the front to maintain this system. Monitor inventory : Keep track of the snack supply and restock as needed. Pay attention to adding variety and introducing new healthy options. Encourage independence : Teach your children how to access the designated snack area and help them understand the importance of making healthy choices. Maintain cleanliness : Periodically clean the designated snack area to ensure a clean environment for storing your children's snacks. This will also help you keep track of the snack inventory and prevent any forgotten items from spoiling.

Looking for fridge organization ideas? This mom has a few great hacks for organization for fridge snacks. Organizing snacks in the fridge makes meal time and snack time so much easier. If you’re a parent that needs a little more organization in the kitchen, then look no further.

brilliant fridge hack for keeping kids snacks and food organized in fridge door - containers of kids snacks seen — Credit: The Eager Teacher | This is so smart to keep kids snacks organized in the fridge door!

Fridge Organization

Check out a smart refrigerator organization hack: This Mom posted on social media because her fridge organization is BRILLIANT for keeping kids fed and happy with snacks.

Oh, all those kid fridge snacks! Ever need a way to keep the kid food in the fridge organized?

Me too…which is why I was so excited to find this brilliant org for kids fridge snack ideas.

Fridge Organization Hacks From A Mom

Sarah Hornung, a mom from Buffalo, New York recently posted about a fridge hack that she uses to keep her kids fed in a way that pushes healthy food without always nagging.

She posted on Facebook with the idea and it instantly took off leaving parents everywhere wanting (and even planning) to do the same…

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How to Organize Kids Snacks in the Fridge

In her post she says:

Sunday self-serve is ready for the week. ?????? After grocery shopping I always wash and prep all of the food that is considered self-serve in our house. Self-serve for my kiddos means help yourself without asking and it’s always an okay snack (any time of day, bedtime snacks, etc.) It also helps me when I’m packing lunches and snacks, or as a side dish when dinner doesn’t include something they will definitely eat or if we have a busy/late night. There’s something about having things truly ready to grab that makes kids eat it. I could leave the baby carrots in a bag or leave the grapes on the stems but they wouldn’t eat it. ??????????

PS- For the fruits and veggies I do put covers on the containers so they don’t get gross.
-Sarah Hornung

Related: Keep your kitchen organized with this awesome declutter checklist.

More Smart Snack Organization Ideas In The Fridge from Parents

It truly is brilliant and is a lot like other snack organization ideas I’ve seen for the pantry from other parents on Pinterest.

Same concept just healthier.

As you can imagine, parents are saying how brilliant this hack is, and even saying they will be doing the same (or already do this).

1. Split Deli Drawer into Pre-packaged Plastic Snack Bags

screenshot of social media conversation around tips for fridge organization and snack storage from Facebook — Love these ideas!

screenshot of tip for fridge snack and go ideas — Quick is better when it comes to snacking…

Other parents chimed in with their versions of this fridge/snack hack:

2. DIY Lunchables for Easy Kid Snacking

tip from fb showing baggies with individual storage of snacks — I want this in my fridge right now!

snack station as described from social media - fb — Soooo smart!

3. Simple Snack Organization System

This is so smart no matter how you look at it. You can help your kiddos have quick access to healthy food but also keep any eye on what they are eating.

I love that these fresh fruits and vegetables (along with other healthy options) are within a child’s reach so they can learn how to make healthy choices on their own.

I mean, how many times do you opt for cake or something sweet because it’s too much work to cut up fresh vegetables? I am guilty of that myself.

4. Grab the Right Snack Organizer for Your Fridge

I hadn’t really thought about snack organizer ideas until I started a deeper research on all these ideas and realized there are products out there that can make it easier. Grab some of these clear bins to keep an organized fridge.

4 containers with lids with dried kiwi, dried fruit, cranberry, oranges — Amazon has great stackable containers to keep your fridge organized.

Grab these Plastic Storage bins that are Stackable and Clear for Organizing the Fridge Food and Snacks.
This set of 11 clear refrigerator organizer bins are stackable with handles. I love stackable bins.
These Produce Saver Storage Containers have lids and are great for refrigerator organizer bins for use with snacks.

A Few More Fridge Organization Tips

All these tips are the best way and are amazing and I love them! But a couple good things that I personally do is:

5. Write Expiration Dates On Everything For Extra Fridge Organization

Writing expiration dates on your DIY lunchables, bins, salad dressing will help you know when to throw stuff away. Often times we overlook the little writing on the containers until things pile up. This way you can always keep your food items rotating so nothing is piling up and going bad because you can see the expiration date.

6. Keep A Special Container or Shelf for Raw Meat

Raw meat should not be on the same shelf as fruits and veggies and other things that can easily be contaminated. Put the raw meat on the top shelf or a special container to keep other foods from getting contaminated. I like to use my bottom shelf. That way if anything leaks it doesn’t drip down. No one wants their fresh foods tainted.

7. Produce Drawers Are Great To Keep A Fridge Organized

A lot of us put fresh food or fresh produce and the “healthy foods” like fresh fruit in the crisper drawers, but they can be used for other things.

Glass containers like drinks, smaller items like juice boxes, or different items that take up a lot of space can be put away in these drawers. That also includes the big packs of string cheese and hard boiled eggs older children like to snack on.

Though drawers where you can change the humidity level I prefer for my fruits and veggies like leafy greens.

8. Don’t Push Things To The Back Of Your Fridge

The back of your fridge is kind of the black hole of your fridge. Keeping food in plain sight is a good idea because it helps with less food waste.

It’s a great way to keep an organized refrigerator because it also leaves more space.

The last thing we want is forgotten old leftovers taking up space in the back. That, and salad dressings tend to get lost in the back of the fridge.

9. Keep Your Favorite Snacks In Refrigerator Bins Inside Of Your Fridge

Don’t just stack your healthy snack and tasty snacks. It takes up room. This food storage is perfect for keeping your fridge in order.

Sorbus Fridge Bins and Freezer Buns Refrigerator Organizer Stackable Food Storage Containers

You can keep your egg carton on here, along with Greek yogurt, condiments, soda, tea, fruit juice, peanut butter and even veggies!

At the end of the day, we just want a place for all the fridge essentials and our snack drawers to be organized for kids whether they’re getting a morning snack or afternoon snack.

How can I create a designated snack area in the fridge for easy access for my children?

Choose a convenient location: Select a space in the fridge that is easily accessible and at your children’s eye level. The lower shelves or the bottom part of the door are good options.
Clear out the space: Remove any items currently occupying the chosen space and clean it thoroughly.
Use containers or bins: Purchase clear storage containers or bins to keep snacks organized and separated to make it easier for your kids to find what they want.
Group similar items together: Organize snacks by type, such as fruits, vegetables, yogurt, cheese, or pre-made snack packs. This will make it easier for kids to locate the snacks they are looking for.
Label containers or shelves: Clearly label each container or shelf with the type of snack it contains.
Keep snacks visible: Arrange snacks so that they are easily visible, either by placing them at the front of the container or by using transparent containers.
Rotate items: Regularly rotate the snacks to ensure that the older items are consumed first and nothing goes to waste. Teach your children to pick from the front to maintain this system.
Monitor inventory: Keep track of the snack supply and restock as needed. Pay attention to adding variety and introducing new healthy options.
Encourage independence: Teach your children how to access the designated snack area and help them understand the importance of making healthy choices.
Maintain cleanliness: Periodically clean the designated snack area to ensure a clean environment for storing your children’s snacks. This will also help you keep track of the snack inventory and prevent any forgotten items from spoiling.

What are some healthy and easy-to-grab snack options that I can store in the fridge for my kids?

First, check for any food allergies or preferences your children may have before choosing the snacks you will stock in the fridge. Also, be sure to consider age-appropriate portion sizes and textures to ensure your kids can safely enjoy these snacks.

Baby carrots or carrot sticks
Sliced bell peppers or cucumber
Cherry tomatoes
Grapes (seedless)
Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
Apple slices (sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent browning)
Low-fat yogurt or Greek yogurt (in individual cups or small containers)
String cheese or cheese cubes
Hummus (in small containers, can be paired with veggie sticks)
Edamame (cooked and shelled)
Hard-boiled eggs (peeled and stored in a container)
Cottage cheese (in individual cups or small containers, can be paired with fruit)
Whole-grain crackers (store in a resealable container or bag)
Granola or protein bars (choose low-sugar options)
Mixed nuts or trail mix (in small containers or snack-sized bags)

How can I optimize fridge space to accommodate a variety of snacks and kids' food without overcrowding?

To optimize fridge space, use clear stackable containers or bins to group similar snacks together, and utilize door shelves and compartments efficiently. Additionally, regularly declutter and reorganize the fridge to remove expired items and maintain a clean, well-organized space for your kids’ food.