Road Trip Snacks to Pack for the Family

Alexandra F. said:  Fortunately for us, one of the only fresh veggies my kids will consistently eat is also an easy one to snack on in the car!

Alexandra F. said:  Fresh fruits make awesome snacks, but we have learned through experience that most do not travel well. Grapes are the rare exception! They are easy to eat, don't make a mess or leave behind a rind, core or peel, and hold up well for long periods of time without getting squishy, brown or stinky. The perfect road trip snack! We cut our grapes ahead of time to avoid a possible choke hazard for the little ones.

Alexandra F. said:  Of course goldfish crackers! Pack in your own snack containers from the giant box you probably have in your pantry or buy individually bagged ones for ease. They will almost certainly end up all over your car, but aren't too difficult to clean up if you are so inclined (until, of course, they get smashed into crumbs...). Still worth it, in my opinion!

Alexandra F. said:  My big kids love roasted seaweed, and it's a pretty easy snack to bring along in the car. It's one of our favorite things to get from Trader Joe's.

Alexandra F. said:  Raw carrots are a healthy road trip snack that keeps and travels very well. Get baby carrots for convenience, or slice regular carrots into sticks or rounds ahead of time to make them super easy to eat on the go.

Alexandra F. said:  Fruit pouches have been such a welcome addition to the kiddie snack world, and they make it so much easier to take otherwise messy snacks like apple sauce on the road. We take a few applesauce pouches with us anytime we're out, though be sure your little kids have figured out how to work these before testing them out in the car!

Alexandra F. said:  Peanuts and tree nuts are easy, wholesome and satisfying snacks for road trips, and you can choose whatever type your family eats best: peanuts, cashews and almonds are some of our favorites. Just be sure your child is old enough to be able to chew them well without presenting a possible choke hazard.

Alexandra F. said:  This classic treat works especially well as a road trip snack, since the ooey gooey marshmallow square doesn't really create many crumbs. From Rice Krispies

Alexandra F. said:  I've honestly always been surprised by how much kids seem to like this healthier alternative to potato chips. And, since they're also less messy than potato chips, they make a great salty snack for car rides.

Alexandra F. said:  Although fresh fruit can be hard to eat in the car, dried fruit is another story altogether! It is a sweet and healthy road trip snack that travels and keeps very well. Dried mango is a special favorite for our family.

Alexandra F. said:  Trail mix is a great, protein-packed snack for road trips, camping, hiking, or any time you need a healthy surge of energy. It's easy enough to make with your choice of nuts and dried fruits, but I've always liked the Kirkland brand from Costco, which I find to have a nice mix of sweet and salty.

Alexandra F. said:  It's a good idea to have some dry, starchy foods on hand as a road trip snack, especially if anyone in the family suffers from motion sickness. We really like Snyder's pretzels, and they have tasty gluten free options as well.

Alexandra F. said:  It's easy to toss a bag of these back to the kids as a sweet treat while we're on the road, and of course, they love them. Annie's has been our favorite fruit snack brand for a while, though I don't think my kids have ever had a fruit snack they didn't like.

Kelly R. said:  We love these pickles as road trip snacks! Pack them in your cooler to enjoy them cold, or keep an eye out for them at your gas station stops (this is where we first discovered them).

Mommyx3 (Monique H) said:  Very nutritious snack with many different yummy flavors. They come in a little cup with a peel back top so it's less messy (which is my fav as a parent).

Alexandra F. said:  I often like to bring a special treat for us to eat on the road, and these soft oatmeal cookies are what I usually make. The softer cookie tends to result in fewer crumbs, plus the oats make them feel a little more wholesome than some of our other favorite dessert recipes. From All Recipes

Alexandra F. said:  Dry cereal is easy to pack and eat in the car, so just choose your family's favorite and prepare a few baggies to enjoy as a road trip snack.

Alexandra F. said:  Eat them plain or with your favorite nut butter for an extra nutritional boost.

Alexandra F. said:  We always keep a few granola bars in the car or diaper bag for a more filling and wholesome snack on the go.

Alexandra F. said:  Mildly sweet and starchy, graham crackers are a great snack that's easy to distribute and eat in the car without making too big a mess.

Alexandra F. said:  I love that larabars are made with only a few simple ingredients, and are filling, nutritious and delicious. We've tried just about every flavor and the peanut butter chocolate chip is by far our favorite.