80+ Fun Road Trip Snacks for Kids & Toddlers - Meldrums on the Move (2024)

Are we there yet?

It’s a question that every parent dreads hearing on a road trip with their kids. While you may have packed games, movies, and other activities to keep them entertained, the snacks can make or break the journey.

Kids can get cranky and bored if they don’t have something to munch on during long drives. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best road trip snacks for kids that are delicious, easy to pack, and will make a good experience in the car. From sweet to savory, we’ve got you covered with snack ideas to make your next family road trip successful.

So buckle up, grab a snack, and hit the road!

Road Trip Snacks for Toddlers

  • Fresh fruit: Cut-up pieces of apple, pear, watermelon, and grapes are easy to eat and refreshing.
  • Cheese: Cheese sticks, cheese cubes, or sliced cheese are a great source of protein and calcium.
  • Veggie sticks: Carrot sticks, celery sticks, and cucumber slices are healthy and easy to eat.
  • Crackers: Whole grain crackers or rice cakes can be topped with peanut butter or hummus for added protein.
  • Yogurt: Yogurt cups or tubes are a great source of calcium and protein and are enjoyable as road trip snacks for kids.
  • Granola bars: Look for bars with natural ingredients and minimal added sugars.
  • Popcorn: Air-popped popcorn is a fun and low-calorie snack that can keep little hands busy.
  • Fruit pouches: Single-serving pouches of applesauce or fruit puree are a convenient and mess-free option.
  • Hard-boiled eggs: Pre-peeled and ready-to-eat, hard-boiled eggs are a great source of protein and healthy fats.
  • Smoothie pouches: Frozen smoothie pouches can be a refreshing and nutritious option if you have a cooler to keep them cold.
  • Strawberry banana bread: Delicious and nutritious, a classic loaf with a piece of fruit for a healthy kick
  • Pizza Muffins: With pizza taste on a muffin, your toddler will enjoy munching on these fluffy snacks making it a fun road trip snack for kids.

Road Trip Snacks for Kids

Healthy Road Trip Snack

80+ Fun Road Trip Snacks for Kids & Toddlers - Meldrums on the Move (1)
  • Trail mix: Make your trail mix by combining nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and dark chocolate chips for a sweet treat.
  • Homemade granola bars: Make your granola bars at home using whole grains, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit as mighty road trip snacks for kids.
  • Hummus and whole grain crackers: Hummus is an excellent dip for whole grain crackers, providing protein and fiber.
  • Peanut butter, whole grain bread, or rice cakes: This classic snack provides protein and healthy fats to satisfy kids.
  • Roasted chickpeas: These crunchy snacks go well with spices like paprika or cumin for added flavor.
  • Fruit and nut butter wraps: Spread nut butter on a whole grain wrap and add sliced fruit like strawberries or bananas for a healthy and portable snack.
  • Jerky: Look for lean protein options like turkey or beef jerky that are low in sodium and free of added sugars.
  • Homemade fruit leather: Make your road trip snacks for kids with fruit leather by pureeing fruit and drying it in the oven or dehydrator.
  • Baked sweet potato chips: Slice sweet potatoes thinly and bake them in the oven for a crunchy and nutritious snack.
  • Edamame: These protein-packed beans can be purchased already steamed and salted for a quick and easy snack.
  • Cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls: This tasty, easy-to-prepare snack serves vegetables and protein.
  • Frozen fruit cups: Freeze cups of mixed fruit like grapes, blueberries, and strawberries for a refreshing and healthy snack.
  • Carrot cake energy balls: These homemade snacks come with shredded carrots, oats, and nut butter sweetened with dates.
  • Banana and oat muffins: Bake a batch of muffins made with ripe bananas and oats for healthy and filling road trip snacks for kids.
  • Roasted pumpkin seeds: Roast pumpkin seeds with a sprinkle of salt and cinnamon for a crunchy and healthy snack.
  • Cucumber slices with hummus: Dip cucumber slices in hummus for a refreshing and healthy snack.

Fun Car Ride Snacks

Sugar-Free Snacks for Kids

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Cooler Snacks for Car Rides

  • Pudding cups
  • Homemade popsicles – make your own healthy and refreshing popsicles with pureed fruit and juice, and store them in a cooler for fun and delicious road trip snacks for kids.
  • Chocolate bites
  • Pear
  • Frozen yogurt cubes
  • Pickle packs
  • Babybell Cheese Wheels
  • Grapes and blueberries
  • String cheese

Mess-Free Road Trip Snack Ideas

80+ Fun Road Trip Snacks for Kids & Toddlers - Meldrums on the Move (3)

Honestly, there is no such thing as a mess free snack. Let’s be honest.

Kids love to tear into their food, throw it around, and clean clothes and non-sticky hands are not a priority for the average kid. Here are a few options though, that don’t leak or stick. Crumbs, however are a different story.

Kid-Friendly Road Trip Lunch Ideas

And there you have it, a comprehensive list of road trip snacks for kids that will keep your little ones happy and satisfied on your next adventure. Whether you choose healthy snacks like fruits and nuts or classic treats like candy and chips, the key is to have various options that suit every taste bud. Pack enough water and other beverages to keep your kids hydrated throughout the journey.

By planning and packing smart, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable road trip for the whole family.

Enjoy the ride with your little ones.

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FAQs

What are the best road trip snacks for kids?

Packing up a diverse selection of road trip snacks for kids is wise. Here are a few examples from our guide on Road Trip Snacks of Kids:

Road Trip Snacks for Toddlers
Road Trip Snacks for Kids
Healthy Road Trip Snack
Fun Car Ride Snacks
Sugar-Free Snacks for Kids
Cooler Snacks for Car Rides
Mess-Free Road Trip Snack Ideas
Kid-Friendly Road Trip Lunch Ideas

What are no-mess road trip snacks for kids?

Here are a few “mess-free” examples from our guide on Road Trip Snacks of Kids:

Bagel chips
Banana muffins
Coconut chips
Chocolate covered almonds
Tillamook snack cheese
M&M’s Classic Mix
Mini Graham Crackers

80+ Fun Road Trip Snacks for Kids & Toddlers - Meldrums on the Move (2024)

FAQs

What are four examples of healthful snacks for school age children? ›

What Snacks Are Good for School-Age Kids?
  • home-made trail mix with whole-grain breakfast cereal and nuts and raisins.
  • string cheese with grapes or other fruit.
  • fruit smoothies made with yogurt, milk, or a dairy-free milk-alternative.
  • ice pops made with 100% fruit juice or yogurt in ice pop molds or ice cube trays.

What is an example of a healthy snack kids can have that will also help meet their nutrient needs? ›

Did you know?
GrainVegetableFruit
CerealFresh veggies with low-fat dipFresh fruit, such as apple slices, with peanut butter*
Wheat crackers with cheeseCelery with peanut butter*Dried Fruit
Rice cakesBaby carrots100% fruit juice
Trail mix (cereal, nuts*, dried fruit)100% vegetable juiceApplesauce
2 more rows

What food to pack on a road trip with kids? ›

Now that we have the basics down, here are my top seven road trip snacks:
  • Hard-boiled eggs. ...
  • Fresh fruit. ...
  • Shelf-stable fruit. ...
  • Dry cereal. ...
  • Whole grain snack bars. ...
  • Muffins. ...
  • Cheese sticks.

What is the number 1 snack food on road trips in the US? ›

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of HI-CHEW™, the results showed that seven in 10 (71%) agree that road trips give them a hall pass to eat as many snacks as they'd like. Respondents are grabbing chips (47%), cookies (44%) and candy (42%) in addition to traveling with friends (39%), kids (33%) and pets (30%).

What are the top 10 snack foods? ›

filters
  1. 1 Reese's Peanut Butter Cup83%
  2. 2 M&M's83%
  3. 3 Hershey's Kisses79%
  4. 4 Kit Kat79%
  5. 5 Reese's79%
  6. 6 Lay's79%
  7. 7 Heinz Ketchup78%
  8. 8 Ritz78%

What's a good snack for toddlers? ›

What Snacks Are Good for Toddlers?
  • thin slices or small pieces of fruit.
  • applesauce.
  • cooked veggies.
  • graham crackers.
  • cheese slices.
  • yogurt.
  • low-sugar, whole-grain breakfast cereals.

What foods keep kids full? ›

Snacks with fiber or protein help kids feel full longer. Foods with these nutrients take more time to digest. Fiber comes from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Protein comes from beans, cheese, milk, meats, eggs, nuts, and nut butters.

What food should I bring to my toddler while traveling? ›

Here is a list of travel-friendly foods for babies and toddlers that you can easily make at home.
  • Milk and baby formula.
  • Veggies or fruit puree.
  • Baby porridge.
  • Carrot cake.
  • Yogurt.
  • Eggs.
  • Cheese.

How to pack snacks for a toddler? ›

Tips for packing snacks for your child

Avoid choking hazards such as nuts, dried fruit, popcorn, and large amounts of sticky foods such as peanut butter for your younger toddler or child. Additionally, be sure to prepare foods in the size and texture that your child can handle and eat well.

How to pack snacks for travel? ›

10 Essential Tips for Packing the Best Travel Snack Bag
  1. Get the right bag. ...
  2. Choose a relatively small bag. ...
  3. Pack a spare Ziploc bag (or five). ...
  4. Always include protein. ...
  5. Embrace local snacks. ...
  6. Pocket everything. ...
  7. Avoid perishables and anything fragile. ...
  8. Don't forget to hydrate.
May 24, 2019

What are easy snacks to eat while driving? ›

Similar to carrots, grapes are a great option for when you are bored and want to eat something on the road. Healthy, clean, and easy to eat, grapes will help stave off the boredom. Just don't go overboard with the grapes — they do have a lot of sugar in them.

What is easy to eat on a road trip? ›

Healthy Travel Snacks:

Lara bars or homemade granola bars. Trader Joe's fruit bars/fruit leathers. Cereal (I use snack cups for my little ones) Fresh fruit: blueberries, grapes, bananas, apples, etc.

What are the dry foods for road trips? ›

14+ Best Non-Perishable Food for Travel You Didn't Know
  • Trail Mix. Nature's Garden Healthy Trail Mix Snack. ...
  • Nut Butter. Almond Butter Squeeze Packs. ...
  • Pumpkin Seeds. Now Foods Pumpkin Seeds. ...
  • Roasted Chickpeas. Organic Dried Chickpeas. ...
  • Veggie Chips. ...
  • Fruit Leather. ...
  • Granola Bars. ...
  • Baked-Ins.
Feb 4, 2022

What are the healthy foods for school age? ›

Nutrition for kids: Guidelines for a healthy diet
  • Protein. Choose seafood, lean meat and poultry, eggs, beans, peas, soy products, and unsalted nuts and seeds.
  • Fruits. Encourage your child to eat a variety of fresh, canned, frozen or dried fruits. ...
  • Vegetables. ...
  • Grains. ...
  • Dairy.

What is the best snack to take to school? ›

20 School Snack Ideas for Kids
  • Dry Cereal. ...
  • Hard-Boiled Egg. ...
  • Chips and Guacamole. ...
  • Olives. ...
  • Crunchy Chickpeas. ...
  • Cucumber Slices and Hummus. ...
  • Cashews and Dried Cranberries. Not all kids like nuts, but many will be open to the delicious cashew nut. ...
  • Jerky. Jerky is a great source of portable protein.

What are 5 healthy eating habits for kids? ›

Here are some guidelines to follow:
  • Establish a predictable schedule of meals and snacks. It's OK to choose not to eat when both parents and kids know when to expect the next meal or snack.
  • Don't force kids to clean their plates. ...
  • Don't bribe or reward kids with food. ...
  • Don't use food as a way of showing love.

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