The Best Guide to Travel Snacks for Kids: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles!

The Best Guide to Travel Snacks for Kids: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles!

The Best Guide to Travel Snacks for Kids: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles!

Traveling with kids can be an adventure in itself, and one of the biggest challenges is keeping them happy (and full) on the journey. Whether you're flying across the country, taking a scenic train ride, or embarking on a road trip, having the right snacks can make all the difference. Here’s your ultimate guide to what to pack and even some easy snack ideas you can make at home!

General Tips for Packing Travel Snacks

  • Choose Non-Messy Options: Avoid snacks that are sticky, crumbly, or require utensils.

  • Opt for Healthy Choices: Balance fun treats with nutritious options like fruits, veggies, and protein-packed snacks.

  • Consider Allergies & Restrictions: Be mindful of fellow travelers’ allergies, especially on planes and trains.

  • Use Easy-to-Open Containers: Bento boxes (try our Stainless Steel Lunch Box, Super Fun Building Block Bento Box Leakproof Kids Lunch Box ), reusable snack bags, small Tupperware, and reliable insulated bags (Unique Insulated Lunch Bag) make access easy and prevent spills.

  • Hydrate Smartly: Bring spill-proof water bottles and avoid sugary drinks to keep energy levels stable.

Best Snacks for Airplane Travel ✈️

Flying with kids means you need TSA-friendly, mess-free snacks that can keep little ones occupied.

  • Pre-cut Fruits & Veggies: Apple slices, grapes, carrot sticks (store in a resealable bag to prevent mess).

  • Cheese & Crackers: String cheese or small cheese cubes with whole-grain crackers.

  • Trail Mix (Nut-Free): Dried fruit, pretzels, sunflower seeds, and chocolate chips.

  • Granola Bars: Opt for ones with minimal added sugar and no nuts if flying.

  • Puffed Snacks: Rice cakes or puffed chickpeas are easy to munch on.

Bonus Tip: Avoid anything too salty or heavy to prevent dehydration and tummy troubles at high altitudes.

Best Snacks for Train Journeys 🚆

Trains allow for a bit more flexibility, so you can pack heartier snacks.

  • Mini Sandwiches or Wraps: Peanut butter & banana, hummus & cucumber, or turkey & cheese.

  • Hard-Boiled Eggs: A protein-rich, easy-to-eat option (peel them in advance!).

  • Yogurt Pouches: Easy to squeeze and great for probiotics.

  • Popcorn: A light but filling snack—just skip extra butter.

  • Fruit Leather or Dried Fruit: A sweet but natural energy boost.

Bonus Tip: Pack wet wipes—trains can be bumpy, and little hands can get sticky quickly!

Best Snacks for Road Trips 🚗

Car rides allow for more variety since you're in control of stops and storage.

  • Homemade Snack Boxes: Use a lunchbox to portion out cheese, crackers, fruit, and veggies.

  • DIY Lunchables: Whole-grain crackers, deli meat, cheese, and a small dip.

  • Energy Balls: Oats, honey, peanut butter, and chocolate chips rolled into bite-sized treats.

  • Muffins or Banana Bread: Homemade versions are less sugary than store-bought.

  • Veggie Chips or Whole-Wheat Pretzels: Crunchy and satisfying without too much salt.

Bonus Tip: Have a “garbage bag” ready for wrappers and crumbs to keep the car clean!

Easy Homemade Travel Snack Ideas 🍪

Want to prepare snacks at home? Here are three easy, kid-approved ideas!

  1. Oatmeal Energy Bites: Mix 1 cup oats, ½ cup peanut butter, ¼ cup honey, and ¼ cup chocolate chips. Roll into small balls and refrigerate.

  2. Homemade Granola Bars: Combine oats, honey, dried fruit, and a little coconut oil. Bake and cut into bars.

  3. Zucchini Muffins: A sneaky way to add veggies while keeping it tasty!

Snacks to Avoid While Traveling ❌

  • Sticky Candies & Gummies: Can be a choking hazard and make a mess.

  • Overly Sugary Treats: Leads to sugar crashes and hyperactivity.

  • Messy Foods: Anything that melts (like chocolate) or needs utensils.

  • Strong-Smelling Snacks: Be considerate of other passengers.

Tips for Packing Road Trip Snacks

  • This is not the time to try new foods! Stick with what you know your toddler likes and be sure to include their favorite foods. If you discover some foods that you think will travel well, try them several times prior to the trip.
  • Be sure to pack food in a cooler, especially during the summer months so everything stays nice and fresh! 
  • Place ice or freezer packs on TOP of the food rather than at the bottom.
  • Eat the most perishable foods first. For instance, eat berries before longer lasting foods, like unripe banana and apples.
  • Pack extra ice packs, and if you are traveling by car, purchase ice from a gas station as necessary.
  • Don’t forget to pack: anti-bacterial wipes, hand sanitizer, trash bags, ziplock bags, napkins, paper towels.
  • Limit the number of times you need to open the cooler. l highly encourage you to label the meals and snacks so you can easily locate them, adding ones that need to be eaten first at the top.
  • Pack nonperishable food items separately in a basket or a large container. These include, nuts and seeds, dried fruits, granola bars, crackers, trail mix, energy bites, pretzels, etc. 

 

Final Thoughts

Packing the right snacks for travel keeps kids happy and avoids unnecessary meltdowns. Whether you’re flying, riding the rails, or hitting the open road, a little preparation goes a long way. Keep it simple, fun, and nutritious, and your journey will be smoother for everyone!

Happy travels! 🚀