Road trips are one of the best types of family vacations. The thrill of the open road is something that transcends age gaps, and has a generational mystique that everyone, from toddlers to grandparents, can enjoy and appreciate.
However, let’s not pretend that they can’t be challenging. Any vacation with young kids will have its share of ups and downs, and while there is plenty of excitement to be had on a road trip, there are also going to be long stretches of time where there isn’t all that much to see or do.
The key to keeping kids happy on a long road trip is packing enough snacks. Snacks give your little ones something to do when they are bored, a little treat to look forward to, and a way to prevent grumpiness and irritation that can come from hunger pangs. Plus, packing the right snacks can make eating on the road a far healthier prospect than it might otherwise be.
And snacks aren’t just great for road trips! Keeping little bellies full is a key part of ensuring a happy vacation, from plane journeys and trips to the beach to cruises or National Park hikes. So whether you are driving down the Pacific Coast Highway, road tripping right the way across Texas, or even taking a Puerto Rico cruise, here are some of the perfect snacks for kids to make your family vacation a success.
Granola bars
An oldie but a goodie, granola bars are the quintessential road trip snack for kids. Great for silencing rumbling tummies, healthy, and tasty enough to be a bit of a treat, they really tick all the boxes. If you are feeling really extravagant, you can even pack a few coated in yogurt or chocolate, for a little extra bump of sweet goodness.
Squeezie yogurt
These yogurt tubes are great fun and almost all kids love them! They can be messy, but either frozen or straight from the fridge they make a wonderful snack.
Dried fruit
A great way to get a bit of fruit into your little ones on the road. Dried bananas, mango, apple, raisins, and pineapple are a healthy, convenient snack that are usually sweet enough for your kids to look forward to as well.
Trail mix
One of the best ways to keep your kids energized, and absolutely perfect for on-the-go snacking. Buy ready-made trail mix from the store, or get your kids to make their own as pre-vacation prep!
