Best Kids Snacks Under £2 at UK Supermarkets in 2026

The Snack Aisle Reality Check

I stood in the Tesco Express near my flat last Tuesday, phone calculator open, genuinely outraged at a pack of "healthy" fruit snacks that cost £3.50 for four tiny pouches. That's 87.5p per pouch. For what is essentially dried fruit in fancy packaging. My mum would have a field day.

Here's the thing: feeding kids shouldn't require a second mortgage, but the children's snack aisle is designed to make you feel like a bad parent if you don't buy the expensive stuff. The branding is clever. The packaging is bright. And the prices? Quietly extortionate.

But I've spent the last month doing what I do best—comparing, calculating, and finding the actual bargains. Because good kids' snacks under £2 do exist. You just need to know where to look and what to avoid.

Why Kids' Snacks Are So Expensive (And How Supermarkets Get Away With It)

Let me be blunt: the children's snack market is one of the most overpriced sections in any supermarket. I've tracked this during my spreadsheet phase—three years of logging every grocery purchase, and children's snacks consistently had the highest markup compared to their adult equivalents.

The psychology is ruthless. Colourful packaging with cartoon characters. Claims like "made with real fruit" (which could mean 5% fruit). Portion sizes designed to look generous but containing barely anything.

Take fruit pouches. A branded kids' fruit pouch might cost 90p for 90g. Walk two aisles over and you'll find a 500g bag of dried apricots for £2.10. That's the same fruit, without the marketing premium.

The Real Cost Per Serving

This is where most parents go wrong. They see a multipack priced at £2 and think it's a deal. But you need to calculate the cost per serving:

• Branded fruit snacks: Often 50-90p per serving
• Own-brand alternatives: Usually 15-30p per serving
• Bulk buying and portioning: Can drop to 5-10p per serving

The maths don't lie. And frankly, your kids won't notice the difference between a £3 branded product and a 60p own-brand version.

Best Budget Kids' Snacks Under £2: The Complete List

Right, let's get to what you actually came for. These are the snacks I've tested, calculated, and would happily pack in my own kids' lunchboxes.

Biscuits and Cookies Under £2

KGN Teddy Bear Cookies – Around £1-£1.50 at Iceland

These are brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. KGN makes halal-certified teddy bear cookies that taste genuinely good—not like cardboard pretending to be a biscuit. The portion sizes are reasonable, and they're sturdy enough to survive a school bag. My colleague's daughter declared them "better than Milkybar biscuits," which is high praise from a seven-year-old.

Asda Little Angels Biscotti – 85p

These crunchy sticks are perfect for younger children. Low sugar, decent texture, and cheap enough that you won't wince when half of them get crushed at the bottom of the bag.

Tesco Iced Party Rings – £1.10

Not the healthiest option, I'll admit. But sometimes you need a treat that feels like a treat. These are a fraction of the cost of Fox's Party Rings and taste nearly identical.

Aldi Belmont Minis – 99p

Aldi's answer to Penguin bars. Identical taste at a much lower price. I did a blind taste test with my nephew. He couldn't tell the difference. Neither could I, honestly.

Fruit Snacks Under £2

Asda Fruit Strings – £1 for 5 packs

These are essentially cheaper Fruit Winders. Same rubbery texture kids inexplicably love, same fruity flavour. Will they count towards their five-a-day? Technically, barely. But they're treats, not health food.

Tesco Organic Fruit Bears – £1.80 for 6 pouches

If you want something that feels healthier, these fruit-shaped gummies use real fruit juice. Still sugary, but less artificial than most alternatives.

Lidl Fruit Bars – 79p for 6

These are our household MVP. Chewy, naturally flavoured, and cheap enough to buy multiple packs without guilt. My kids actually prefer these to the branded versions—something about the texture being "less slimy."

Crisp and Savoury Snacks Under £2

Iceland Happy Snax Crisps – £1.50 for 12 bags

Specifically designed for lunchboxes. Each bag is portion-controlled, which saves you from the arguments about "just one more handful." Available in several flavours, though my recommendation is to stick with ready salted—the cheese ones are a bit artificial.

Pom-Bear Original – £1.50 multipack

Yes, they're not the cheapest. But these are the gold standard of kids' crisps for a reason. Light, dissolve easily (no choking worries for younger children), and universally loved. Sometimes paying a bit more for something that actually gets eaten makes financial sense.

Tesco Cheese Puffs – £1 for 6 bags

An absolute bargain. These Wotsits-style snacks are crunchy, cheesy, and half the price of the branded version. My only complaint is the bags feel a bit flimsy.

Yoghurt and Dairy Snacks Under £2

Asda Little Angels Fromage Frais – £1.15 for 6

Low sugar, smooth texture, and the perfect size for small hands. These disappeared from my fridge faster than I could restock them.

Petits Filous Tubes – £1.80 for 6

The squeezable format is genius for mess-free snacking. Slightly pricier but worth it for the convenience factor, especially in the car.

Special Mention: Halal-Certified Options

Finding halal-certified kids' snacks used to be a nightmare. The options were limited, expensive, or both. That's genuinely changed over the past few years.

KGN products at Iceland are halal-certified and affordable. Their Teddy Bear Cookies and honey biscuits are specifically marked, making shopping easier for Muslim families.

Bebeto sweets and gummies—available at most major supermarkets—are also halal-certified. Look for their fruit-flavoured options in the sweet aisle.

For parents who need halal options, I'd recommend checking Iceland first. They've quietly built up one of the better halal selections on the high street.

Where to Find the Best Deals: Supermarket Breakdown

Not all supermarkets are created equal when it comes to budget snacking. Here's my honest assessment based on actual shopping, not press releases.

Iceland: The Budget Winner

I know Iceland gets overlooked by some parents—there's a perception it's all frozen pizzas and ready meals. But their children's snack section is genuinely impressive. Prices are consistently lower than Tesco or Sainsbury's, and they stock brands you won't find elsewhere.

The KGN range is exclusive to Iceland, as are several other budget-friendly options. They also do bulk deals on crisps and biscuits that make the per-serving cost incredibly low.

Aldi and Lidl: Best for Own-Brand

If you're comfortable with own-brand products (and you should be—they're made in the same factories), Aldi and Lidl are unbeatable. Their fruit snacks, biscuits, and crisps are typically 30-50% cheaper than equivalent branded products.

The catch? Limited selection and stock can be inconsistent. I've been caught out more than once finding an amazing product, only for it to disappear the following week.

Asda: Good Middle Ground

Asda strikes a nice balance between price and selection. Their Little Angels range is particularly strong for younger children, and their regular price drops mean you can often find branded products at own-brand prices.

Pro tip: Check the reduced section near closing time. Kids' snacks approaching their best-before date get marked down significantly, and most have a long shelf life anyway.

Tesco: Convenient But Pricier

I shop at Tesco out of convenience—it's close to my flat. But I'm not going to pretend their prices are competitive. For the same products, you'll typically pay 10-20% more than at Asda or Iceland.

That said, their Clubcard deals occasionally make specific products genuinely cheap. It's worth checking the app before shopping.

Money-Saving Tips That Actually Work

I could write an entire article on this (and probably will), but here are the strategies that make the biggest difference.

Buy Large and Portion Yourself

This is the single biggest money-saver. Those individually packaged snacks are convenient, but you're paying for that convenience.

A bag of 14 snack boxes of raisins costs around £2.64. A 500g bag of loose raisins costs £2.10. Buy a few small reusable containers, portion the raisins yourself, and you've just cut your cost per serving by 70%.

This works for dried fruit, crackers, cheese, popcorn, and pretty much anything that doesn't need to stay cold.

Stock Up During Back-to-School Sales

Late August and early September bring some of the best snack deals of the year. Supermarkets discount lunchbox items heavily to attract parents doing the school shop.

I bought enough Soreen bars last September to last until Christmas. The per-unit price was less than half the normal cost.

Don't Ignore the World Foods Aisle

Some of the best value snacks are hiding where you'd least expect them. The world foods section often has biscuits, dried fruits, and crackers at a fraction of what you'd pay in the mainstream snack aisle.

I've found amazing sesame snacks, honey biscuits, and fruit rolls in the Polish, Indian, and Middle Eastern sections. Same quality, different packaging, better price.

Make Some Things Yourself

Before you roll your eyes—I'm not suggesting you become a Pinterest parent. But some DIY snacks are genuinely easy and dramatically cheaper.

Popcorn is the obvious example. A bag of kernels costs under £2 and makes dozens of portions. Pop it in a pan, add a little butter or seasoning, done. Kids love being involved in making it too.

Flapjack is another easy win. Oats, butter, golden syrup, and whatever dried fruit or chocolate chips you fancy. Twenty minutes of work gives you a week's worth of snacks.

What I'd Avoid: Overpriced and Overhyped

I promised honesty, so here it is. Some products marketed at parents are not worth your money.

Premium "Organic" Baby Snacks

The organic baby snack market charges obscene prices for minimal product. Some brands charge over £1 for a 20g pouch. You're paying for the packaging and the peace of mind, not the food itself.

Unless your child has specific dietary requirements, standard own-brand alternatives are nutritionally similar at a quarter of the price.

Character-Licensed Products

That PAW Patrol pasta shapes? Same pasta as the regular version, with a 40% markup. The Peppa Pig biscuits? Identical to the supermarket own-brand, just in a pink packet.

Kids might ask for them, but they genuinely won't notice the difference once it's on their plate.

"Healthy" Snacks That Aren't

This is where I get properly annoyed. So many products marketed as healthy kids' snacks are nothing of the sort.

Fruit "leathers" often contain more sugar than actual sweets. "Vegetable" crisps are still crisps—the processing removes most of the nutritional value. Yoghurt-coated anything is just confectionery in disguise.

Read the labels. Check the sugar content per 100g. Compare it to what you'd consider a treat. You might be surprised.

Quick Reference: My Top 10 Under £2

If you want the summary without the context, here are my absolute favourites:

1. KGN Teddy Bear Cookies – £1.50 (Iceland) – Halal, tasty, sturdy
2. Lidl Fruit Bars – 79p – Best value fruit snack
3. Aldi Belmont Minis – 99p – Identical to Penguins
4. Iceland Happy Snax Crisps – £1.50 – Perfect portion sizes
5. Asda Little Angels Fromage Frais – £1.15 – Low sugar dairy
6. Tesco Cheese Puffs – £1 – Cheap, cheerful, cheesy
7. Asda Fruit Strings – £1 – Fruit Winders alternative
8. Pom-Bear Original – £1.50 – The classic for a reason
9. Tesco Iced Party Rings – £1.10 – Affordable treat
10. Asda Little Angels Biscotti – 85p – Brilliant for toddlers

The Bottom Line

Here's what I know after years of tracking, comparing, and occasionally standing in supermarket aisles for too long: feeding kids well on a budget is absolutely possible. But it requires ignoring most of what the marketing tells you.

The expensive products aren't necessarily better. The cartoon characters don't make the food healthier. And your children really, truly won't notice if you swap their branded snacks for own-brand alternatives.

What matters is that they're fed, that the snacks are reasonably nutritious (or at least not actively terrible), and that you're not bankrupting yourself in the process.

Start with the own-brand alternatives. Buy in bulk where you can. Check the world foods aisle. And remember that a banana—which costs about 15p—is still one of the best kids' snacks money can buy.

You've got this.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many snacks should a child have each day?

The NHS recommends that children have two snacks per day maximum, ideally between meals to maintain energy levels. Young children have smaller stomachs and need more frequent eating than adults, but unlimited snacking can reduce appetite for proper meals. A mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack typically works well for most children aged 2-10.

What are healthy snacks for kids under £2?

Fresh fruit remains the healthiest and most affordable option—bananas, apples, and satsumas all cost under £2 for multiple servings. For packaged options, look for products with short ingredient lists, low added sugar, and whole grains. Own-brand rice cakes, cheese portions, and unsweetened fromage frais are all nutritious choices under £2 at most supermarkets.

Are packaged kids' snacks actually healthy?

Many aren't, despite marketing claims. Products labelled "made with real fruit" may contain minimal fruit and high sugar. Always check the nutritional information: look for snacks with less than 5g sugar per serving, minimal artificial additives, and recognisable ingredients. Generally, the simpler the ingredient list, the healthier the snack.

What snacks can I put in my child's lunchbox?

School-safe options under £2 include rice cakes, breadsticks, cheese strings or portions, dried fruit (avoiding whole nuts at nut-free schools), crackers, and fruit bars. Avoid anything that requires refrigeration unless the lunchbox has an ice pack. Most schools have nut-free policies, so check before packing any products containing nuts.

Are halal kids' snacks available at UK supermarkets?

Yes, increasingly so. Iceland stocks the KGN range of halal-certified biscuits and cookies, including their popular Teddy Bear Cookies. Bebeto sweets are halal-certified and available at most major supermarkets. Many standard crisps and biscuits are vegetarian and therefore halal by default—check the packaging for the vegetarian symbol or ingredient list.

How can I save money on kids' snacks?

The biggest savings come from buying in bulk and portioning yourself. A bag of loose raisins costs 70% less per serving than pre-portioned boxes. Stock up during back-to-school sales in August/September when prices drop significantly. Check the world foods aisle for similar products at lower prices, and consider own-brand alternatives which are typically 30-50% cheaper than branded equivalents.

Which UK supermarket is cheapest for kids' snacks?

Iceland consistently offers the lowest prices on children's snacks, followed closely by Aldi and Lidl for own-brand products. Asda offers a good balance of price and selection, particularly with their Little Angels range. Tesco and Sainsbury's tend to be pricier unless you catch specific Clubcard or Nectar deals. For best results, compare prices using Grocefully before shopping.

What age-appropriate snacks work for toddlers?

For children aged 1-3, focus on soft textures that won't pose choking hazards. Asda Little Angels Biscotti, soft dried fruit, cheese portions, and cucumber sticks work well. Avoid whole grapes, whole nuts, and hard raw vegetables. Many brands make "melt-in-mouth" puffs specifically designed for toddlers—these are usually more expensive but safer for younger children still developing chewing skills.