When Thanksgiving dinner is almost ready, I want snacks that give kids something to do besides asking when we’ll eat. These Five Below picks turn the wait into a more manageable part of the holiday.
1. Peelerz® Pineapple Peelable Gummy Candy 3oz – $2.00
Peeling these pineapple-flavored gummies turns snack time into a tiny project, which is exactly what I want while Thanksgiving dinner cooks. The 3-ounce bag is made with real fruit juice and requires no prep.
Taste: The pineapple flavor is sweet, tangy, and surprisingly fruit-forward. A peelable outer layer gives way to a soft, chewy center, making each piece more interesting than an ordinary gummy.
Make It Better: Challenge kids to peel each piece as slowly as possible; anyone bothered by sticky fingers can simply eat one whole.
Parting Thoughts: For kids who love fidgety food, this is the most entertaining $2.00 pick of the bunch.
2. Combos® Pepperoni Pizza Baked Cracker Stuffed Snacks 6.3oz – $3.50
Savory snacks earn their place when the sweets start piling up, and these pepperoni-pizza-inspired stuffed crackers offer a welcome change. I would portion the 6.3-ounce bag into small bowls so kids can graze without spoiling dinner.
Taste: The baked cracker shell supplies a firm crunch around a pizza-flavored filling made with real cheese. Expect familiar packaged pizza flavor rather than anything that truly resembles a fresh slice.
Make It Better: Mix a few into individual snack cups with a separate sweet pick from this list for a simple pre-dinner assortment.
Parting Thoughts: Pizza-loving kids should enjoy the novelty, though picky eaters may prefer a plainer savory option.
3. Lesser Evil® Himalayan Pink Salt Popcorn 5oz – $2.00
When I need something kids can nibble gradually, a bowl of this ready-to-eat popcorn buys useful time near the end of cooking. The 5-ounce bag is organic, gluten-free, and vegan, though it does contain coconut.
Taste: The popcorn is light and airy with a clean salty note from Himalayan pink salt. Organic extra virgin coconut oil adds richness without turning it into a heavy snack.
Make It Better: Divide it among wide bowls or cups before the kitchen gets hectic, especially when several children are sharing.
Parting Thoughts: This one suits steady grazers and balances the candy-heavy choices nicely.
4. Fun Dip® Cherry Yum Diddly Dip Candy 0.43oz – $0.50
Half the fun here is the dipping ritual: one candy stick and cherry powder create a hands-on activity rather than a quick bite. At 0.43 ounces, each packet is small enough to offer shortly before Thanksgiving dinner.
Taste: The cherry powder is intensely sweet and fruity with a fine, powdery feel. Its candy stick adds a contrasting crunch between dips.
Make It Better: Give each child a separate packet and set out napkins first, since powdered candy can wander beyond the package.
Parting Thoughts: Mess-averse households may pass, but the play value is hard to beat for $0.50.
5. Caplico Strawberry & Chocolate Snack 12-Piece – $3.00
Twelve strawberry-shaped candies make this package easy to count, divide, and eat one piece at a time. I like it for a small group of kids who want a cute Thanksgiving pre-dinner treat without any preparation.
Taste: Strawberry and chocolate create a light, sweet combination reminiscent of chocolate-covered fruit. The airy, sponge-like texture melts easily instead of delivering a dense chew.
Make It Better: Turn sharing into the activity by letting kids count the pieces and divide them evenly before anyone starts eating.
Parting Thoughts: Young chocolate lovers get both a playful shape and a pleasantly light bite here.
6. Calbee® Chips 4oz – $3.50
A seafood-flavored chip is the adventurous choice on this list, bringing savory variety to the wait before dinner. Serve the 4-ounce bag to kids who already enjoy shrimp flavors rather than springing it on cautious eaters.
Taste: These chips have a distinct savory shrimp flavor and a crisp, airy structure. The light crunch dissolves quickly, so they feel less dense than many standard chips.
Make It Better: Offer a few at a time alongside a familiar snack, which lets curious kids try the shrimp flavor without committing to a full bowl.
Parting Thoughts: Adventurous snackers may ask for seconds, while seafood skeptics should choose another bag.
7. Drizzilicious® Lemon Cake Bites Rice Cakes 4oz – $4.00
Bright lemon-cake flavor makes these mini rice cake bites feel festive without adding another chewy candy to the table. Their small size encourages piece-by-piece grazing during the final stretch of Thanksgiving prep.
Taste: Each bite combines dessert-like lemon cake flavor with a sweet drizzle. Underneath, the rice cake stays crisp and light rather than dense or fudgy.
Make It Better: Pour them into small cups so the drizzle stays off busy hands and kids can carry their portions away from the cooking area.
Parting Thoughts: Anyone who likes citrusy desserts will find this a cheerful bridge between snack time and pie.
