Traveling with toddlers can be an exciting adventure, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. One of the key challenges parents face when traveling or flying with young children is keeping them fed and content during the journey. Thankfully, the right selection of snacks can make all the difference.
While older kids are more likely to go with the flow on a long travel day, little ones may have a difficult time adjusting to the change in schedule. If it’s your first time trying air travel with little ones, don’t panic. Snacks are a great way to keep them entertained, fed, and calm.
Whether you’re headed on road trips or a long flight, I’ll tell you the best snacks toddlers and young children to help you have a more enjoyable travel experience.
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Packing Plane Snacks for Toddlers
Before we dive into the snack recommendations, let’s understand why having the right snacks for your toddler is crucial during a flight. When you’re flying, you may not have time for a proper meal before your next flight, so packing lots of nutrition and hydration is crucial for keeping little kids happy. Have your little ones bring their own carry-on bags that you can stuff with small activities and snacks.
Snacks help with:
1. Hunger Management: Toddlers have small stomachs and may get hungry more frequently than adults. Having a variety of snacks on hand helps prevent hunger-related meltdowns.
2. Distraction and Comfort: Snacking can be a comforting and distracting activity for toddlers, especially during takeoff, landing, or turbulence. It can help ease anxiety and keep them occupied.
3. Nutrition: Airplane meals may not always cater to toddlers’ dietary needs or preferences. Packing nutritious snacks ensures your child receives the right nutrients during the journey.
4. Hydration: Many snacks, like fruits and vegetables, have high water content, helping to keep your child hydrated in the dry cabin air.
Pack a variety of snacks
Some snacks take longer to eat (I.e. lollipops, Goldfish crackers) and can keep your young kids happy for awhile. Other great airplane snacks may meet their nutritional needs (I.e. baby carrots, apple sticks). Make sure not eat perishable snacks first so you aren’t worried about keeping ice packs cold.
Related: 25+ Healthy Toddler Snack Ideas (That They’ll Actually Eat!)
Best Toddler Airplane Snacks
There are lots of snack ideas on this list, but be sure to check TSA regulations to make sure these snacks will work for your flight. I have traveled with my toddlers and young kids many times, and I think this list of the best airplane snacks will help you find some good options.
1. Fresh Fruit: Fresh fruits are a good idea for toddlers. Sliced apples or pears, quartered grapes, or berries are convenient, healthy, and hydrating. To prevent browning, you can sprinkle a little lemon juice on apple slices. On domestic flights, packing fresh fruits and vegetables isn’t an issue, but check the TSA website to make sure your food will make it past airport security.
2. Vegetable Sticks: Carrot and cucumber sticks are easy to pack and provide a satisfying crunch. Pair them with a small container of hummus or ranch dressing for dipping.
3. String Cheese: String cheese is a portable source of calcium, protein, and fat for a filling snack . Its individual packaging makes it mess-free and easy to serve. Keep a few wrapped in an ice pack to keep them fresh for an easy snack that is also filling.
4. Yogurt Pouches: Yogurt pouches are a hit with most toddlers. They come in various flavors and are easy to eat on the go. Look for options with no added sugars. Many are even shelf stable to make it a great travel snack for kids that can be kept at room temperature.
5. Mini Sandwiches: Create mini sandwiches with toddler-friendly fillings like cream cheese and jam, peanut butter and banana, or turkey and cheese. Use fun-shaped cookie cutters for added appeal. Sandwiches are perfect for when you need a meal on the go and airport food isn’t going to cut it for your kiddo.
6. Whole Grain Crackers: Whole grain crackers are a great source of fiber and energy. Serve crackers with cheese for a high protein snack.
7. Dried Fruit: Dried fruits like raisins, apricots, and mango slices are convenient and have a longer shelf life. However, be mindful of high sugar content in some dried fruits and choose options without added sugars.
8. Cereal: Low-sugar whole grain cereals are a hit with toddlers. Pack them in a resealable bag or container for mess-free snacking. You can also buy mini boxes of cereal that are fun for younger children.
9. Granola Bars: Opt for granola bars with whole grains and minimal added sugars. Many bars come in toddler-sized portions and a variety of flavors.
10. Mini Muffins: Bake a batch of mini muffins using ingredients your toddler enjoys. Blueberry, banana, or carrot mini muffins are often favorites and make for a convenient in-flight snack. You can also purchase mini muffins for an easy on-the-go breakfast.
11. Freeze-Dried Snacks: Freeze-dried fruits like strawberries, apples, and bananas are lightweight, non-perishable, and easy for toddlers to eat. They maintain their flavor and nutritional value and come in individual portions to make it even more convenient.
12. Applesauce Pouches: Portable applesauce pouches are mess-free and perfect for toddlers. Opt for unsweetened or naturally sweetened options so your toddler isn’t getting too much sugar on a travel day. The squeezable design makes them easy for little hands to handle making it a great option for toddler travel snacks.
13. Rice Cakes: Rice cakes are a low-calorie, gluten-free option that can be enjoyed plain or with toppings. They also come in lots of different flavors depending on what your little one likes. They are a healthier option than chips. You can buy full sized rice cakes, or the mini ones for a fun snack.
14. Pretzels: Pretzels are a low-fat, salty snack that toddlers often enjoy. You can make it more nutritious by serving with cheese or hummus dip.
15. Baby Food Pouches: While these are designed for infants, they can also be suitable for toddlers, especially if your child enjoys pureed fruits and vegetables. Many baby food pouches are available in toddler-friendly flavors and are mess-free.
16. Fruit Snacks: My kids’ personal favorite airplane snacks are of the gummy variety. They know it’s a special treat to be able to eat gummies while on the airplane! While these are not the most healthy travel snacks, there are some that are fortified with vitamins and made with less sugar.
Related: Flying with Babies and Toddlers
17. Yogurt Tubes: Yogurt tubes are a great choice because you can freeze them before you leave and they can serve as an ice pack for other snacks, too! Be sure to eat quickly after thawing as they are not shelf stable like yogurt pouches are. This is one of my favorite healthy snacks because you can get some protein, fat, and carbohydrate into your little ones which can help bust hunger while traveling. Be sure to pack wet wipes – these can sometimes be messy!
18. Toddler-Safe Trail Mix: Depending on your child’s age, they may not be ready for a trail mix loaded with nuts. However, making your own toddler trail mix can be a perfect airplane snack. Add some raisins or dried fruits, pretzels, and chocolate chips together for a great snack that will be interesting to your toddler.
18. Goldfish Crackers: One of the best travel snacks in my opinion! These are fun to eat and are easy to pack snacks. They don’t make a huge mess like a larger cracker would with extra crumbs. There are a variety of flavors your little ones will love from regular cheddar cheese, to parmesan, cupcake, pizza, and more!
19. Lollipops: A big bag of little lollipops are a great choice for takeoff and landing when your child’s ears may painfully pop. While they aren’t the most healthy option, it’s definitely something your child will enjoy and can keep their ears from being uncomfortable.
Packing Travel Snacks For Kids
It is so overwhelming packing for the whole family – especially if you have a long trip ahead!
Here are a few tips for packing airplane snacks:
- Use a snack catcher. A snack trap can help keep snacks organized, keep them from spilling, and makes your kid eat them slower. The Munchkin snack catcher is a favorite of my family and is very affordable (about $3 each)
- Bring an empty water bottle and/or sippy cup. You can’t bring liquids through security, but you can bring an empty container to fill on the other side.
- Designate a snack bag. Pack a separate bag full of snacks to make it easier to grab. This will be really helpful on those long-haul flights to stay organized.
- Separate out portions. Using individually portioned snack bags is a great idea, though not always budget friendly. You may end up buying more than you need, meaning there’s extra cost involved. You can also use small plastic bags or containers to separate out reasonable quantities from a larger bag of snacks. These containers are great for portion control.
- Go for variety! Pack lots of snacks to help keep your kids interested and busy. Using a bento box is a great way to let each kid pack their own snacks. Some even come with their own freezer packs to make packing fresh food easier. We personally use the Bentgo brand since it is small and compact and comes with a built in ice pack.
- Try out new snacks. If your little one is open to trying new things, bring some new snacks (along with some tried and true favorites!) on the flight. Be sure to bring a mix of new foods along with some of their favorite snacks.
- Use toddler snack containers. These snack containers tend to make things feel more fun! You can fit lots of great toddler snacks into one container. These are a good option for roadtrips, too!
Traveling with toddlers can be a rewarding experience, and having the right snacks on hand can make the journey more enjoyable for both you and your little ones. With a selection of healthy, portable, and toddler-friendly snacks, you’ll be well-prepared to keep hunger at bay, provide comfort, and ensure your toddler’s nutritional needs are met during the flight. Safe travels!