Remember to select the right travel snacks for kids. This can make a journey more enjoyable for both parents and children. It’s important to have convenient, nutritious, and appealing options that cater to the tastes of young travellers. It’s essential to find a balance between kid-friendly travel food that is both wholesome and enticing. Packing healthy snacks for kids is crucial as it helps maintain energy levels and prevents the temptation of less healthy options on the go.
We’ll discusses various travel snacks for kids, including fruits, vegetables, healthy snacks to purchase, homemade healthy snacks, drinks, and hydration, as energy-boosting travel foods. Each section provides practical, balanced travel snacks for kids, offering creative travel snack ideas that are easy to prepare and pack. Our focus on portable snacks and on-the-go nutrition for children ensures that parents have a variety of options to keep their little ones nourished and satisfied during their travels.
Fruits and Veggies
Fresh Fruits Like Apples, Bananas, and Berries
- Bananas: Ideal for on-the-go snacking, bananas are a hit with toddlers and older kids alike. They can be easily mashed for younger babies or eaten directly by older children.
- Strawberries: Soft and juicy strawberries are perfect for self-feeding by babies around 9 months old. They can also be mashed and mixed with water if needed.
- Apples and Pears: These can be sliced and paired with dips or enjoyed on their own. They provide a crunchy, hydrating snack that’s full of fibre and vitamins.
Vegetable Sticks with Dips
Source: Make And Takes
- Carrot and Celery Sticks: These vegetables can be cut into sticks and served with various dips. Kids will more likely to enjoy eating their veggies when they can dunk them into delicious dips like hummus or creamy pesto.
- Cucumber and Capsicum: Fresh and crispy, these veggies are great for dipping. They can be sliced into manageable sticks and paired with a savory dip to enhance their flavor.
Fruit Salads and Smoothies
- Combining Favorites: Mixing fruits like pineapple, oranges, and grapes can create a colourful and appealing fruit salad that kids love.
- Smoothies: A fantastic way to incorporate both fruits and vegetables, smoothies can be made with ingredients like spinach, which blends well with fruits like bananas and berries for a nutritious and tasty snack.
Healthy Snacks to Buy
Store-bought granola bars
Source: KIND Snacks
For parents seeking convenient yet nutritious options, store-bought granola bars can be a great choice. These bars are not only delicious but also pack a nutritional punch with ingredients like whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Key considerations include selecting bars with 7 grams of added sugar or less and ensuring they contain at least 2 grams each of protein and fiber. Notable recommendations include KIND bars, which are favoured for their low sugar options and chewy texture suitable for kids, and granola bars by Kate’s Real Food and Thunderbird, known for their wholesome ingredient lists and minimal added sugar.
Nut butter packets
Source: Love You Foods, LLC
Nut butter packets, particularly those that are keto-friendly and low-carb, emerge as an essential travel-friendly snack. These packets are celebrated for their simplicity, containing only one ingredient without any added sugars, and do not require refrigeration. Their portability and mess-free nature make them an ideal snack for on-the-go situations. Noteworthy mentions include “F-Bombs” by Love You Foods, LLC, offering flavours like “Macadamia with Sea Salt” and Once Again’s Organic Almond Butter squeeze packs. These nut butter are not only tasty but also provide a healthy dose of Omega-3.
Healthy store-bought crackers and biscuits
When it comes to crackers and biscuits, choosing nutrient-dense options is key. Look for products made with whole grains, oats, brown rice, nuts, and seeds, and those that contain at least 2-3 grams of fibre. Some of the healthiest options include Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers, RW Garcia Sweet Potato Crackers, and Triscuit Thin Crisps, all of which offer a good balance of protein, fibre, and low sodium. Additionally, Mary’s Gone Crackers and Crunchmaster crackers are praised for their ingredients, like brown rice flour, sesame seeds, and quinoa, making them a substantial snack choice.
Homemade Healthy Snacks
DIY Trail Mix
Creating a personalised trail mix is a delightful way for children to engage with their food. Start by selecting nuts and seeds, such as almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds, ensuring a rich source of energy and nutrients. Add some dried fruits like raisins or bananas for a touch of sweetness. For an extra treat, include small amounts of dark chocolate chips or yogurt-covered raisins. Encourage children to mix their chosen ingredients in a large bowl, fostering a sense of independence and decision-making about their snacks.
Homemade Protein Balls
Protein balls are a fantastic snack option that combines nutrition with convenience. Begin with a base of oats or crushed nuts, add in some natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, and bind together with nut butter. To enhance the nutritional profile, consider adding chia seeds or flax seeds. For flavour, vanilla or a pinch of cinnamon can be included. Mix all ingredients until combined, then roll into small balls. These can be stored in the refrigerator, making them a handy snack for days out.
Baked Goods Like Muffins and Bars
Baking at home allows control over the ingredients, ensuring snacks are healthier travel Snacks for Kids. Muffins are a great option and can be made with whole wheat flour, adding fruits like blueberries or apples for natural sweetness. For bars, mix oats, honey, and your choice of nuts or seeds press into a baking dish and bake until set. Homemade snacks not only provide a healthier alternative to store-bought snacks but also offer a fun baking activity for children, teaching them valuable kitchen skills.
Drinks and Hydration
Healthy Juices and Smoothies
For parents aiming to boost their children’s nutrient intake, incorporating smoothies and healthy juices can be a strategic choice. These beverages can serve as a nutritious snack or complement a meal. Here are some tips:
- Smoothie Composition: Blend a mix of fruits and vegetables, ensuring a balance that prevents excessive calorie intake. Steaming vegetables before blending can enhance their smoothness and digestibility, particularly for young children.
- Sweetening Techniques: While natural fruit sugars are generally sufficient for children who are new to smoothies, a small amount of honey or maple syrup can encourage initial acceptance. Gradually reduce the sweetener as their palate adjusts to the natural flavours.
Flavoured Water
Source: Hint
Flavoured water presents a delightful alternative to sugary drinks, helping maintain hydration without the added sugar. Consider these options:
- Cirkul Wild Splash and Hint Kids: These brands offer interesting flavours without sweeteners, appealing to children’s taste buds while keeping their hydration levels optimal.
- Stur: This brand stands out as a squeezable option, allowing you to enhance water with flavours without artificial colours or sucralose, making it a parent-approved choice.
Milk and Dairy-Free Alternatives
For children who either cannot consume dairy or choose not to, there are several nutritious alternatives that ensure they still receive necessary nutrients like calcium and vitamins. Options include:
- Soy and Almond Milk: These are popular dairy-free alternatives fortified with calcium and vitamins to support a child’s growth and bone health.
- Coconut and Rice Milks: These alternatives should also be fortified with nutrients to ensure they provide similar benefits to traditional dairy milk.
By incorporating these drinks into a child’s diet, parents can ensure adequate hydration and nutrient intake, supporting their overall health and well-being during travel and beyond.
Additional Snack Ideas
Exploring further into the realm of travel snacks for kids, there are several nutritious and delicious options that cater to both convenience and taste. These additional snack ideas not only provide energy but also keep little ones satisfied during journeys.
Popcorn and Rice Cakes
Popcorn, a universal favourite, is not only a healthy option but also comes in generous-sized bags, making it perfect for sharing. It’s important to note the choking hazard for children under the age of four. Rice cakes, on the other hand, have a crunch and come in various flavours like cheese or spring onion. These snacks are not only enjoyable but also serve as a lighter alternative to bread, cutting out the carbs while still providing a fulfilling eating experience.
Dried Fruits and Nuts
Dried fruits such as raisins, mangoes, apples, peaches, and pears offer a sweet and chewy snack that’s rich in nutrients. When combined with nuts, they form a powerhouse of energy, perfect for long journeys. However, it’s crucial to be mindful of nuts as a potential choking hazard. Creating a homemade trail mix by adding freeze-dried fruit to a combination of nuts and seeds can be a fun activity, allowing kids to customise their snacks.
Cheese Slices and Yogurt Cups
Cheese, whether in slices or sticks, provides a source of protein and calcium, making it an excellent snack for children. Pairing cheese with crackers or fruit can enhance the snack’s nutritional value and taste. Yogurt cups or tubes, another great option, offer a dose of probiotics essential for a healthy gut. For added convenience, consider drinkable yogurt or kefir that can be easily consumed on the go.
By incorporating these additional snack ideas into your travel plans, you ensure that your children have nutritious and appealing food options. These snacks not only cater to different tastes and preferences but also contribute to a balanced diet, keeping kids energised and happy throughout the journey.
Wrapping Up: Travel Snacks for Kids
When choosing travel snacks for kids, it’s important to consider a balance of nutrition, convenience, and taste to make the journey enjoyable for both kids and parents. Options such as portable fruits and vegetables, homemade snacks, and hydration solutions can provide sustained energy and promote healthy eating habits while away from home. These choices show that it’s possible to maintain a nutritious diet on the go, prioritising well-being and enjoyment.
