With kids around all Thanksgiving weekend, snack requests can arrive between outings, movies, and family gatherings. These are the eight Publix picks I’d stock to keep those hungry moments covered.
Prices were checked at a Publix in Atlanta on November 7; they vary by store and change with each week’s ad.
1. Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Cheddar Baked Snack Crackers
Fish-shaped cheddar crackers are my dependable answer when visiting kids need something familiar during a lull between holiday activities. The 10-ounce bag is easy to bring out for playtime, movies, or the ride home.
Taste: The cheddar flavor is mild and kid-friendly rather than sharp. Each baked cracker has a light, crisp crunch that makes casual handfuls especially easy to eat.
Make It Better: Toss them into a simple snack mix, or divide some into small containers before the weekend gets busy.
Parting Thoughts: For an uncomplicated savory staple that rarely requires negotiation, these earn their cupboard space.
2. GoGo squeeZ Fruit & VeggieZ Variety Pack Speedy Strawberry Pedal Peach
When everyone piles into the car for a Thanksgiving-weekend outing, these 12 fruit-and-veggie pouches can come along without spoons. The Speedy Strawberry and Pedal Peach variety also keeps snack choices from feeling repetitive.
Taste: Both flavors lean naturally sweet and fruity. The puree is smooth, with none of the crunch or chew that can bother texture-sensitive kids.
Make It Better: Slip a few into the day bag before heading out; the shelf-stable pouches are particularly handy for travel.
Parting Thoughts: Little kids and busy caregivers will appreciate how little ceremony this snack requires.
3. Chocolate Chip Cookies 13-Count – $6.99
A fresh bakery cookie feels just special enough for the long Thanksgiving weekend, especially when cousins gather after dinner. This $6.99 baker’s dozen contains 13 cookies, so there is an extra one for good measure.
Taste: They are dense and soft through the middle, with crispness around the edges. Generous chocolate chips bring sweetness without making the whole cookie feel overdone.
Make It Better: Put a few on a plate instead of setting out the whole package; it turns an ordinary snack break into a small holiday treat.
Parting Thoughts: Anyone nostalgic for the Publix kid-cookie tradition will understand why I make room for a box.
4. Entenmann’s Little Bites Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins
Early risers tend to appear before the Thanksgiving leftovers do, and these portioned mini muffins fill that awkward gap nicely. Five individual packs make them simple to hand out during cartoons or tuck into a bag for an outing.
Taste: The muffins are moist, soft, and dotted with real chocolate chips. They land closer to a small bakery-style treat than a crunchy pantry snack.
Make It Better: Keep the individual pouches together in an easy-to-see basket so older kids can grab one without opening several snacks at once.
Parting Thoughts: They are a practical win for chocolate lovers, though less useful if your guests prefer something salty.
5. Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats Original Crispy Marshmallow Squares
Gooey marshmallow squares belong in my movie-night pile because their individual wrappers keep passing them around pleasantly low-mess. The eight-count box also provides an easy head count when several kids are visiting.
Taste: Classic marshmallow sweetness coats the crisp rice cereal without hiding its toasted-cereal flavor. The texture alternates between airy crunch and a soft, chewy pull.
Make It Better: Save these for the family movie rather than putting them out with every snack; the designated occasion makes a basic square feel more festive.
Parting Thoughts: Movie watchers who want something sweet and handheld should be very happy with this box.
6. Frigo CheeseHeads Light Low Moisture Part Skim Mozzarella String Cheese
For the child who is genuinely hungry—not merely scouting for dessert—I reach into the fridge for one of these individually wrapped mozzarella sticks. Peeling the cheese gives restless hands something to do while the next Thanksgiving meal is still coming together.
Taste: The mozzarella has a creamy, mild flavor that does not overwhelm cautious eaters. Its firm, stringy texture rewards slow peeling instead of disappearing in two bites.
Make It Better: Pair a stick with fruit or crackers for a more rounded snack, and keep the rest refrigerated until needed.
Parting Thoughts: This is the sensible counterweight to the sweeter choices on the list.
7. Betty Crocker Fruit Roll-Ups Fruit by the Foot Gushers Variety Pack
Part snack and part entertainment, this eight-count variety pack mixes Fruit Roll-Ups, Fruit by the Foot, and Gushers for kids who enjoy playing with their food. I save it for an afternoon break when the cousins need a cheerful diversion.
Taste: The flavors are bright, candy-like, and unmistakably fruit-inspired rather than subtle. Textures range from stretchy and chewy to soft pieces with juicy centers.
Make It Better: Let each child choose a format instead of opening several at once; the variety itself becomes part of the fun.
Parting Thoughts: Parents avoiding candy-like snacks may pass, but novelty-seeking kids will consider this the exciting pick.
8. Snyder’s of Hanover Mini Pretzels – $5.19
Plain salty snacks can be a relief after a weekend of pie, and these bite-size mini pretzels work for grazing at home or on the go. They cost $5.19, and the store checked was offering Buy 2 Get 1 Free through 11/10, though weekly offers can vary by location.
Taste: The flavor is straightforward: toasted pretzel with a clean salty finish. Their firm baked crunch holds up well to dipping and contrasts nicely with the weekend’s softer sweets.
Make It Better: Serve a small bowl with cheese or hummus for dipping; the pretzels are made in a facility that does not process peanuts, which is useful information when planning for guests.
Parting Thoughts: After several sugary treats, this no-frills crunch is often exactly what the snack table needs.
