30+ Easy Snack Ideas for Traveling with Kids this Summer

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Summer is here, and that means busy schedules filled with sports, beach days, pool days, and family vacations. As a mom with young children, finding travel-friendly and kid-approved snacks can be a challenge. Even more so of a challenge if you’re looking for healthy snacks. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of over 30 easy snack ideas that will keep your whole family happy and energized while on the go. From picky eaters to health-conscious families, these are great choices that cater to all tastes and requirements, whether you’re traveling by car, plane, or simply spending a day outdoors.

  • Fruit Kabobs: Skewer chunks of melon, berries, and grapes onto wooden skewers for colorful, refreshing, fresh food snack.
  • Mini Sandwiches: Prepare bite-sized sandwiches with fillings like cheese, turkey, and cucumber. Use whole grain bread for added nutrition.
  • Trail Mix: Create your own mix with a combination of nuts, dried fruits, pretzels, and chocolate chips. This trail mix is a great option for healthy road trip snacks. When you create your own mix, you can add in a variety of nuts and seeds like pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.
  • Veggie Sticks with Hummus: Slice up carrots sticks, celery, raw veggies, and bell peppers and serve with a side of hummus for dipping.
  • Cheese and Crackers: Pack individual portions of cheese cubes or string cheese along with whole grain crackers.
  • Yogurt Tubes: Freeze yogurt tubes the night before, and they’ll stay cool throughout the day while providing a healthy treat.
  • Popcorn: Air-popped popcorn or low-sodium microwave popcorn is a satisfying and low-calorie snack option.
  • Apple Slices with Nut Butter: Slice apples and pair them with individual servings of peanut or almond butter for a tasty and filling snack.
  • Granola Bars and Protein Bars: Opt for homemade granola bars or grocery store-bought granola bars made with whole grains, nuts, and dried fruits.
  • Mini Muffins: Bake a batch of mini muffins with flavors like blueberry, banana, or zucchini for a quick and portable snack.

Girl in swimming pool with oranges.

  • Squeezable Fruit Pouches: These convenient pouches are mess-free and come in a variety of fruit flavors.
  • Rice Cakes: Choose plain or flavored rice cakes as a crispy and gluten-free alternative to chips.
  • Hard-Boiled Eggs: Prepare a batch of hard-boiled eggs in advance and pack them for a protein-rich snack.
  • Pretzel Sticks: Crunchy pretzels are a crowd-pleasing snack that doesn’t require refrigeration.
  • Fruit Cups: Opt for pre-packaged fruit cups in natural juices for a no-mess option.
  • Fruit and Cheese Skewers: Alternate cubes of cheese and fruit on skewers for a fun and nutritious snack.
  • Energy Balls: Make a batch of energy balls using oats, nut butter, honey, and mix-ins like chocolate chips or dried fruits.
  • Cereal Bars: Look for cereal bars made with whole grains and low sugar content for a convenient snack option.
  • Frozen Grapes: Freeze grapes overnight for a refreshing and naturally sweet snack to satisfy your sweet tooth.
  • Mini Quesadillas: Prepare bite-sized quesadillas with cheese and tortillas, and pack them in an insulated container.

Family eating snacks in front of their camper.

  • Dried Fruit: Stock up on a variety of dried fruits like mango, apricots, and pineapple for a naturally sweet treat. Have a variety pack of fruit snacks without the added sugars.
  • Mini Pizzas: Top whole grain English muffins with tomato sauce, cheese, and toppings of your choice. Pack them in an insulated container.
  • Turkey or Beef Jerky: Choose lean and low-sodium options for a protein-packed snack. Stock up before you head out so you can skip the higher gas station prices.
  • Popcorn Balls: Make popcorn balls with sweet or savory twist by adding honey, cinnamon, or cheese to the mixture. Wrap them individually for mess-free snacking. Peanut butter would be another great way to add a little protein in too.
  • Mini Fruit Popsicles: Blend fresh fruit with yogurt or fruit juice and freeze in popsicle molds for a refreshing and healthy frozen treat.
  • Graham Crackers with Nutella: Spread a thin layer of Nutella on graham crackers for a delicious and easy-to-pack snack.
  • Mini Cheese Pizzas: Top whole grain mini pitas or bagels with tomato sauce and cheese, and bake until the cheese melts. Let them cool before packing.
  • Edamame: Steam or roast edamame and pack them in individual containers. They are packed with protein and make a great snack and finger food.
  • Mini Pancakes: Make a batch of mini pancakes and pack them with a side of maple syrup or fruit preserves for dipping.

Youth playing baseball.

  • Veggie Chips: Look for vegetable-based chips made from ingredients like beets, sweet potatoes, or kale for a healthier alternative to potato chips
  • Mini Wraps: Roll up tortillas with your choice of fillings like turkey, cheese, and lettuce. Slice them into bite-sized pieces for easy snacking
  • Apple Chips: Slice apples thinly and bake them until crispy for a crunchy and naturally sweet snack.
  • Sliced Cucumbers with Cream Cheese: Spread cream cheese on cucumber slices for a refreshing and low-carb snack.
  • Homemade Fruit Leather: Blend fresh fruit, spread it on a baking sheet, and bake at a low temperature until it becomes a chewy fruit leather. These are great for long trips because they keep well.
  • Popcorn Trail Mix: Mix air-popped popcorn with nuts, seeds, and dried fruits for a customizable and crunchy snack.
  • Mini Bagels with Cream Cheese: Pack mini bagels with individual servings of cream cheese for a quick and satisfying snack.
  • Ants on a Log: Spread nut butter or cream cheese on celery sticks and top with raisins for a fun and nutritious snack. Such a healthy snack option
  • Fruit Salad: Prepare a fruit salad with a variety of chopped fruits and pack them in individual containers for a refreshing snack.
  • Mini Rice Balls: Mix cooked rice with ingredients like tuna, vegetables, or soy sauce, and shape them into bite-sized balls for a portable snack

Don’t forget to plan ahead and freeze up ice packs for coolers and pack plenty of water. Good idea: freeze a water bottle or two and use as ice packs in a small cooler. And if you are on a long road trip use the rest stop to have your snacks and allow the kids to get out, run around, and burn off some of that energy.

With these 30+ easy snack ideas, your summer adventures will be filled with delicious and travel-friendly treats. Whether you’re looking for great road trip snacks, at the beach, or simply enjoying a day outdoors, these snacks will keep your kids fueled and happy. From picky eaters to health-conscious families, there’s something for everyone. So, stock up on these kid-approved, favorite snacks, pack them in your cooler or cooler bag, and enjoy a stress-free and tasty summer with your family.

What are your favorite go-to snacks? Let us know in the comments! Happy snacking!

About the Author
Dawn has been in the influencer marketing space for 10+ years and now provides Digital Marketing for small businesses. Including writing content and managing the Scoreboard Fundraising social channels, she is also the person that you most likely will talk to if you call or email Scoreboard with questions.
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