The Best Snacks to Pack for Your Next Trip With Kids

While traveling I want my kids to stay hydrated, but if they have to use the bathroom every two seconds that can be a problem. So I’m not exactly encouraging them to drink a ton of water. Which is why I love having a few Happy Tots pouches on hand. For the kids it’s a delicious and nutritious smoothie, and I also know they are staying hydrated without overdoing it. It’s like an entire meal on the go.

When a salty fix is required there are plenty of options out there laden with additives, preservatives, and excess amounts of salt and fat. Chips can also get crushed in backpacks, or, depending on the flavor, leave a colorful residue on the fingers of the snacker that inevitably ends up coating clothing, skin, and even hair. 

Skinny Pop is our go-to salty snack because popcorn is surprisingly durable, ridiculously tasty, and healthier than many of the meals my kids end up eating. A single bag of Skinny Pop is made with only three non-GMO ingredients, and has 11 grams of whole grains, as well as a little fiber and protein, with zero added sugar. Stash a few of these in your luggage and watch with satisfaction as your kids gobble them up.

At home we try to be pretty conscious of sugar intake. But on the road, when the going gets tough, plying your kids with something sweet is advisable. They are out of their comfort zones and potentially changing time zones and anything you can do to keep them in the non-meltdown zone is a win. 

Yet it is also a win if this treat satiates them so that they aren’t hangry travelers liable to crash once the sugar rush wears off. Kirkland Trail Mix has M&Ms and raisins—check on the sugar fix—but is also full of roasted peanuts, almonds, and cashews, supplying the fiber and protein that will help your kids stay fuller longer.

Another sweet option that holds up well during travel and provides plenty of energy on the go is the banana chocolate chip soft baked bar from Once Upon a Farm. There is no added sugar, and the whole grain oats help a little traveler feel full, while the chocolate chips make this a desirable snack. Plus they don’t take up too much space in your pack despite offering a hearty bite.

I think fruit snacks possess the highest overall approval rating of any food I’ve seen children eat. Everybody loves fruit snacks. They are colorful, chewy, and satisfying, and they come in packaging that is perfectly suited for travel. Typically, however, they are loaded with sugar.

The reduced sugar fruit snacks for Welch’s eliminate that last problem without eliminating any flavor. And considering they have a host of vitamins and fiber and are made with real fruit they are the perfect spring break option, helping your kids eat the rainbow while hopefully basking under one.