Planning for a whole class
You want enough portions for every child, without lots left over. Count the children and check how many individual bags are in each pack.
Which option works best for you?
Want to hand them out quickly?
You want to pop the bags straight into party bags or hand them out at school. A multipack of individual bags saves you having to portion out a large bag at home.
Planning around school rules or dietary needs
You need to know what the school or childcare provider allows and whether you need to consider allergens or dietary requirements when choosing your crisps. Check the rules before deciding which product to buy.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how many children you’re buying for and check what rules apply to the group. Then compare the number of portions, the amount in each one and how much preparation the packaging involves.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions you can use | Count the individual bags and compare the total with the size of your group. If you’re buying a large bag, work out how many portions you’ll make yourself. | If I’m buying treats for a whole class, I want enough portions without lots left over. Around 46% of consumers put the number of usable portions first. |
| Quick, easy and fair distribution | Check whether the portions are individually wrapped, how many grams each bag contains and whether it’s a mix of flavours. | I want to take the treats with me without having to portion them out at home, and give every child their own bag. Ease of handing out treats is a priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Rules and ingredients | Check what the school or childcare provider allows, then read the current packaging for the exact flavour and size you’ve chosen. | If school rules or dietary requirements affect my choice, the product needs to meet them. Around 18% of consumers put this first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a large bag contains ready-to-hand-out portions
With a large bag, you’ll need to decide how much each child gets. A multipack of individual bags tells you how many are inside; for example, Jumbo lists a multipack with 15 bags of 25 g each.
Count the children first. If you choose a large bag, decide in advance how you’ll portion and package the crisps.
Portioning them yourself takes time and means you’ll need bags or tubs; you may also have crisps left over.
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Assuming every flavour has the same allergens
Ingredients can vary by flavour and pack type. For example, the listing for Pringles Original 12 x 40 g on Joybuy names wheat and gluten, and possible traces of milk and soya. This information doesn’t apply to other varieties.
Ask about any relevant allergies and check the current packaging for every product you plan to hand out.
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Waiting until after you’ve bought the treats to check the rules
According to the Voedingscentrum and GGD Twente, schools may have their own rules about treats. That means your chosen quantity or edible treat may not automatically be suitable for the setting.
Ask the school, after-school club or childcare provider in advance about rules on food, packaging, allergens and portion sizes.
Brands and own-label options
Check the details of the specific pack rather than choosing on brand name alone: the number of portions, pack size and ingredients can vary from product to product.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells both large bags and a multipack of paprika and ready salted crisps.
- The listed multipack contains 15 individual bags of 25 g each.
- Check that the mix of flavours and the amount in each bag are right for your group.
Albert Heijn
The own-label range includes AH Chips naturel 20-pack, with 20 bags of 40 g each.
- The pack shows what a larger number of individual portions looks like.
- Check current availability and the information on the packaging before choosing this product.
Lidl Snack Day
Lidl’s Snack Day range includes various types of crisps, including ready salted ridged crisps.
- The listed ready salted ridged crisps come in a 250 g bag, which you could portion out yourself.
- Lidl lists these particular ridged crisps as an in-store purchase; they aren’t a ready-made multipack of individual bags.
Lay's
As well as individual bags, Lay's sells multipacks and snack boxes with individual portions.
- Jumbo lists a Lay's Naturel pack with 20 bags of 40 g each.
- Check what’s in a snack box; not every mix contains crisps only.
Pringles
Pringles is available in both individual tubes and multipacks.
- Albert Heijn lists an Original 12-pack as a multipack of individual portions.
- Check the current allergen information for each flavour and size; don’t assume one variety represents the whole range.
Multipacks and bags on Joybuy
These products are options for handing out individual portions. Note the difference between a box of small bags, individual tubes, a mixed snack box and larger bags: they won’t all fit the same party bags.
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Lay's Fun Mix Box Chips 15 Pack
If you’re buying for a group of fifteen children, you can plan on one bag per child. Check which varieties are in the mix and, if dietary requirements apply, read the information on the current packaging.
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Pringles Red Pepper, 12 x 40 g
This pack could work if you need twelve individual portions. Check that 40 g per child and the Red Pepper flavour fit the rules for your treats, and remember to check the allergens on the packaging.
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Lay's Doritos Chill Box, 12 pieces
If you want to put together twelve treats using a snack mix, check which varieties are in the box. Check the quantity in each bag and any allergens before handing them out.
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Lay's Family Box, 15 pieces
For fifteen children, the number of pieces works out as one treat per child. Check which snacks and portion sizes come in this mixed box; don’t choose it based on the name alone, as the bags may not all contain the same crisps.
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Takis Blue Heat Corn Chips, 18 x 100 g
This is an option if you need eighteen individual bags, but 100 g per bag is a different portion size from the smaller multipacks. Check that the Blue Heat variety is suitable for the children and fits the school or childcare provider’s rules. If dietary requirements apply, read the current packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Can you hand out crisps as a school treat?
First, check the treat policy at the school or childcare provider in question. The Voedingscentrum and GGD Twente explain that schools may have their own rules about treats; also check whether there are rules for the group about portion sizes or allergens.
When should you choose individual bags instead of a large bag?
Choose individual bags if every child needs their own ready-wrapped portion and you don’t want to divide them up yourself. A large bag could work if you can portion it out at home; just remember to allow for the bags or tubs you’ll need and any leftovers.
How do you check allergens in a mix of crisps?
Read the current packaging for every variety you’ve chosen and ask in advance which allergies you need to consider. The NVWA says that accurate allergen information on food labels is important. If you’re buying a mix, don’t assume that one ingredients list applies to every flavour or snack.