Five Tips for Packing Travel Snacks for Kids

By: Jamie Kaun

Let’s face it – travel can be exhausting whether it’s by car or plane. And one thing that can ruin travel plans quickly, especially when children are involved, is hunger.

If your summer plans involve traveling, even if it’s just day trips around the area, there are many options for packing nutritious and filling snacks to help fuel you (and the kiddos) to keep everyone from getting hangry.

1. Pack what they love – Travel is stressful enough without having to worry about you or the kids being hungry. Travel isn’t the time to try new foods. Stick to foods they love that don’t require refrigeration or can remain out for a few hours before being consumed. For air travel, avoid peanut products (some flights will not allow them) and remember the TSA rules on liquids.
    
2. Keep it clean – While you may have wipes handy at all times, airplanes and cars are tight spaces to change clothing and clean up messes. If your kiddo still hasn’t mastered not squeezing the applesauce fruit pouch onto themselves, save yourself some stress and don’t pack it.
   
   You can pack snacks already in individual packages, uses zip top baggies if you want to toss them when done or use Bento-type containers (there are even disposable ones) that allow you to pack a variety of items in one container. Variety can also help keep kids happier.
    
3. Pack extras – Have you noticed that the kids (and maybe you too!) seem hungrier when traveling? Be prepared with having more snacks on hand than you think you’ll need. You never know when you’ll run into traffic or flight delays too. You control the food you pack so you can ensure it’s more nutritious than much of the gas station food and isn’t as costly as airport food.
    
4. Surprise them – If you limit the treats that your kids normally consume, pack some special treats. We don’t often have chips and candy in our home, so if my children found these items among their snacks, they would be elated. You can pack them mostly nutritious snacks and splurge with the “sometimes” foods.
    
5. What to pack – A combination of foods high in protein and/or fiber are good choices for fueling your body. Protein bars, fruit bars, dried fruit, fresh fruit, nuts (like almonds and walnuts), string cheese, high fiber/protein cereals or granola, hard boiled eggs, pepperoni slices, frozen yogurt sticks…the ideas are endless!

These tips may also be helpful if you’re considering sending your kids to camp this summer. While meals are provided at overnight camps, kids love having snacks to supplement their meals and to share with their fellow campers. The Dayton YMCA offers amazing day and overnight camps, so be sure to check them out!