Ants on a Raft

• Getting kids to eat a fresh vegetable can sometimes be a challenge, which is one reason for the enduring popularity of "ants on a log." Celery on its own might be a tough sell, but when paired with kid-friendly peanut butter and raisins it's a slam-dunk. When feeding your kids whole grains is the goal, the same logic applies. Spread a handful of Wheat Thins with peanut butter, then scatter raisins over their surface. To make things even more fun, add a few dried cranberries. That way, your kids have both red and black "ants" to accompany the whole grains and high-protein peanut butter.

PB, Not J

• The traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwich is longtime favorite with both kids and frugal parents, and for the most part it's a good snack. Transplanting those flavors to Wheat Thins, with their crisp texture and compact size, makes a PBJ even more appealing. Its only real shortcoming is the high sugar content of the jam or jelly. To replicate the preserves' fruity flavor with less sugar, spread your Thins with peanut butter and then spoon fruit-flavored yogurt on top. Opt for sugar-free yogurt to make an even more virtuous version of the treat.

Really Mini Pizzas

• Pizza is always a kid favorite, and Wheat Thins make a finger-friendly version suitable for even the tiniest diners. Squirt or spoon a small quantity of tomato sauce onto each Wheat Thin, and then top it with a few shreds of cheese and a thin slice of pepperoni or a tiny piece of precooked bacon. Heat the Thins in your toaster oven until the cheese is bubbly; let the mini-pizzas rest for a minute or two before serving. That cooling time minimizes the risk of eager snackers burning their mouths on the hot cheese.

Dips Galore

• Wheat Thins are sturdy enough to work well for dipping, and your choice of dips is limited only by your imagination. Stir together equal parts peanut butter and plain or vanilla yogurt for a kid-friendly dip that takes just seconds to assemble. Fruity yogurt makes a fine dip in its own right, or make it thicker -- and less likely to drip on clothing -- by blending it with softened cream cheese or instant-pudding mix. If your kids are good and adventurous eaters, give them a bowl of hummus or other bean dip as a sugarless, high-protein accompaniment to their Wheat Thins. Scattering a handful of grated cheese over the top will help "sell" it if your youngsters should prove wary.