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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
