travel food ideas for toddlers

My Little Moppet

Top Parenting blog in India

34 Easy Homemade Travel Foods For Babies and Toddlers

Published: June 8, 2015 | Last Updated on: June 6, 2023 | by Dr Hemapriya

Before we dive into the world of travel foods for babies and toddlers, let’s embrace the evolving trends of parenthood. Gone are the days when parents had to wait for their children to grow up before embarking on adventures. Nowadays, little ones join in on the exploration, their curious eyes witnessing the vast wonders of the world. While modern conveniences have made life easier for parents, one concern remains: what to feed their children while traveling.

Given the concerns surrounding packaged food and unhygienic food preparation in restaurants, many parents prefer to take matters into their own hands. This requires meticulous planning, but worry not! We are here to lend a helping hand. To ensure a seamless journey, we have curated a collection of convenient and nutritious travel foods for babies and toddlers. Let’s embark on this culinary journey together, making travel an enjoyable experience for both parents and little ones.

homemade travel food ideas for babies and toddlers

If you are breastfeeding your baby, there’s no need for any additional milk supplement during your journey. However, if your little one has been weaned, you can consider using substitutes for milk such as formula or commercially available milk powder. To prepare these substitutes while traveling, simply carry hot water in a thermos flask and mix it with the powder. This ensures that your baby’s milk is ready whenever needed, making it a convenient option for travel foods for babies.

Fruits to give to babies and toddlers during travel

Fresh fruits are one of the best travel foods for babies, being convenient and and hygienic. For toddlers, you can just cut up the fruit and feed them. For babies, you can mash and puree fruits like papaya , muskmelon , banana or chikoo . When ripe enough, they can be easily mashed with just a fork.

Instant Porridge

15 Instant Porridge Recipe

Here is a list of 15  instant porridge powder recipes , all of which require only hot water to be added.

No time to make these powder, no worry !! Just click, order and get home delivered here . We also have Instant food ‘trial’ packs available now, because you can never tell what the baby might like!

Main Meals – Lunch

Travel Food

Main meals like lunch and dinner are a little more difficult to handle while travelling as it isn’t easy to prepare a filling rice meal on the go. However, you can still work your way around this problem with a few tips:

1. If you have a rice cooker then all you need to do is plug it in to  make a simple khichdi with carrots or potatoes. You can carry carrots and potatoes as they last for more than 2 to 3 days without refrigeration.

2.For a convenient rice meal while traveling, dry roast rice and dal, grind them into a powder, and carry it in an airtight container. Mix the powder with hot water from your flask to cook. You can also add grated carrot for added nutrition. Discover more travel foods for babies to make your journey enjoyable and hassle-free.

If you don’t have time to dry roast rice and dal, you can easily order homemade  Instant Khichdi mixes here .

3. If you want to give lunch from a restaurant, ask for steamed hot rice with dal. Mash it with sanitized fingers or spoons and feed your baby.

travel snacks recipes for babies and toddlers

When it comes to snacks, most parents reach out for packaged foods like biscuits. But you can go healthy here too, especially since toddlers snack a lot and you don’t want so much junk going into their bodies! Try these homemade snack recipes that don’t require refrigeration.

  • Roasted chickpeas
  • Energy bars – Groundnut Bars, Maple Oat Cluster Bars  , Chocolate trail Mix

Tips for Feeding your Baby at a Restaurant

Travel Food

Sometimes, you find yourself with no option but to feed your baby from a restaurant. In such cases, there’s no need to panic; just keep these few tips in mind:

1.Ensure the safety of your baby while feeding from a restaurant during travel. Avoid giving raw foods like salads or chutneys. Opt for cooked and suitable meals. Prioritize the well-being of your little one by following travel foods for babies.

2. Along with raw foods, you should also avoid dishes with raw ingredients like mayonnaise, souffle, sushi etc.

3. Always try to go for steamed foods – steamed rice, steamed idlis  and cooked vegetables.

4. Use your own cutlery.

5. Ensure a safe eating experience for your baby by eliminating choking hazards from their food. When preparing meals, cut or mash food into appropriate sizes and avoid giving small, hard, or round foods that may pose a risk. Prioritize your baby’s safety during travel by following guidelines for travel foods for babies.

6. Prioritize your baby’s safety while traveling by avoiding new foods that may cause allergies. Stick to familiar and trusted options to ensure a worry-free journey. Explore travel foods for babies that are suitable and known to your child.

7. Stick to boiled/bottled water and don’t give baby juices or milkshakes.

8. Stay away from anything with artificial coloring or flavoring.

Don’t let the stress of feeding your baby or toddler during travel weigh you down. With some thoughtful planning and preparation, you can ensure a worry-free journey filled with delightful moments. Bid farewell to food-related concerns and embrace the convenience of travel-friendly and nutritious options for your little one. Let us be your guide in making your travel experience smoother and more enjoyable with our helpful tips and suggestions on travel foods for babies. Bon voyage and happy travels!

If your baby has recently started on solids, you might also want to check out our detailed post – High Chair Vs Booster Seat: Your Ultimate Guide to Buying a Feeding Chair.  Some of the feeding chairs recommended in this article are travel friendly too!

We have compiled a comprehensive Travel Food packing List for Babies and Toddlers

Download Packing List

  • Dr Hemapriya
  • Fabida Abdullah
  • Dhvani Shah

Buy Healthy Nutritious Baby, Toddler food made by our own Doctor Mom !

You may also like.

Check this out! Instant Poha Moongdal Porridge powder for babies [Easy porridge recipe for Travel], a perfect nutritious travel food for your little one!

December 28, 2021 at 12:18 pm

Dear Dr. Hema,

Could you please suggest some travel foods for 2.5year toddler. I know by this age toddlers eat most of the foods, but mine doesn’t. Hence seeking your advice. Is it safe to offer outside food to 2.5 yr kid?

travel food ideas for toddlers

January 10, 2022 at 3:00 pm

Hi Madhavi, You can try the recipes given in this article. It should be a hit 🙂 You can give outside food if it’s from a trusted source.

travel food ideas for toddlers

February 3, 2021 at 1:20 am

Plz give ideas of travel food for 8 months old baby, for one week. Any suggestions and advices are welcomed

February 4, 2021 at 8:14 pm

The blog has so many ideas. Please use it according to the age recommendation. Hope you find it helpful 🙂

travel food ideas for toddlers

November 12, 2018 at 9:39 pm

hi Dr I m going to travel in train for 25 hrs can you suggest home made food for my 11 months old baby. he has cool body so pls tell me can i give him uncooked apple?

November 13, 2018 at 5:20 pm

Hi Revathy,

Please find link below with easy travel recipes. Hope this helps you. Link – https://goo.gl/2V9Zm4

travel food ideas for toddlers

August 31, 2018 at 7:45 pm

Hiii mam….I am travelling to North…. For 15days….. My baby is 10months old…. Can pls suggest me instant receipes… (no cooking)

September 5, 2018 at 11:09 pm

Kindly check on the link below for travel food ideas dear. You can also check for instant mixes from our shop. Hope this helps. Happy and safe journey 🙂

Link – https://goo.gl/3DUmJH

travel food ideas for toddlers

April 10, 2018 at 1:26 pm

Hi Doctor, I m traveling to north india for a week with my 1 year old… i will not have access to kitchen would like to purchase a few instant packs from you. I haven’t introduced my baby to anyinstant foods. Could you please suggest me a few required ones please!

travel food ideas for toddlers

April 12, 2018 at 12:55 pm

Hi dear, Thanks for choosing to purchase our products, you can choose and order from our instant packs here: https://goo.gl/MsrRpE

travel food ideas for toddlers

January 7, 2018 at 9:22 am

Could you suggest some veg food ideas for a 24hr train travel.. It is for a 1yr old kid.

January 8, 2018 at 11:37 am

Please check some of these options dear https://www.mylittlemoppet.com/homemade-travel-food-ideas-for-babies-and-toddlers/

travel food ideas for toddlers

November 13, 2017 at 5:19 pm

Hi Hema madam, As I m traveling out of my city for 15days with my 1.5 months old son.. Plz suggest some snacks for him..

November 14, 2017 at 1:16 pm

Dear this article has most options for kids and you can also check on our site for some wonderful ways to keep kids engaged. Just type “Travel” in search box.

travel food ideas for toddlers

September 20, 2017 at 4:29 pm

Hello Hema, I will be travelling on a 10 days holiday to New Zealand with my 8 months son in November. Please suggest me instant food I can give him thrice a day. I am very much tensed about his health during our stay at that time.

Thanks in advance

September 20, 2017 at 5:47 pm

Dear, while on travel the best bet is to feed, fruits, boiled potatoes, eggs, dry snacks (like biscuits which can be made and carried along). If you must feed outside you can take boiled rice and give along with curd, or some mashed fruit based on your kids preference. Also in most places now you get indian foods so that is another option you can pick while on travel. Don’t worry much, kids too adapt to changed food.

travel food ideas for toddlers

September 1, 2017 at 10:53 pm

Hi Mam..We r traveling for 4 to 5 days confused about water how will boil water or can v give bisleri to 10 months baby..? As flask will serve purpose only for 1-2 days..plz help with other options?..

September 21, 2017 at 10:32 pm

You can always request at some places restaurants etc. to help you with boiled water.

travel food ideas for toddlers

March 31, 2017 at 11:54 am

I was wondering if bottled mineral water should be boiled before being given to a 1 year old

May 7, 2017 at 6:20 pm

You can give it like that also, as eventually we have to give them such water.

travel food ideas for toddlers

October 4, 2016 at 3:56 am

Thanks alot for this information…..

travel food ideas for toddlers

October 19, 2015 at 5:22 am

Quick qs !! For the porridge do we need to soak dal and rice then dry to make a powder ? Or we can directly powder it.

Thanks, Akshita

February 29, 2016 at 4:55 pm

Dear Akshita,

You can check the recipe here

travel food ideas for toddlers

October 16, 2015 at 1:25 pm

These recipes were really helpful. Also please tell me how can we add sweetness to it. I have been using jaggery for my lil one. Now for these instant porridges, other than fruits what can be added for sweetness. Please help. Thank you

February 29, 2016 at 5:07 pm

Yes fruit purees can be added for sweetness

travel food ideas for toddlers

June 9, 2015 at 12:14 pm

Hi.. This post is very timely, we are travelling to Europe with my 15month old in July. I am quiet confused about what food to give him and also Milk. The instant porridge recipe needs no cooking? just hot water will be enough? Pls share any other tips you have.

June 9, 2015 at 5:13 pm

Hi apeksha,

Yes the instant porridges do not require cooking. Just add hot water and it is done,

travel food ideas for toddlers

September 9, 2015 at 5:35 pm

hello ma’am!! is warm water ok? for making instant porridges?

October 26, 2015 at 1:08 pm

The water has to be hot for cooking porridges or else the powder will not get cooked .

Hope this helps

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Browse & Buy Our Products Online

travel food ideas for toddlers

Useful Links

Our facebook page.

Dotting the Map

  • Financial Planning
  • RV Living Tips
  • Homeschooling
  • Favorite RV Spots
  • Remote Work Ideas
  • Family Travel Tips
  • Destinations
  • Product Reviews
  • Gear Guides
  • Partner With Us

airplane snacks for kids

60 Travel Friendly (and TSA Friendly) Healthy Toddler Foods

Hilarye September 5, 2018 Family Travel Tips , Popular , Resources 20 Comments

travel food ideas for toddlers

I am frequently being asked about airplane snacks for kids. Flying with a toddler or youngster can be a lot of work and Parents are constantly looking for healthy food options for airplanes. It also helps if it is one they can get through security for their toddlers and children. It’s no secret that airport food is not only overpriced but usually unhealthy. Last time we were in JFK, I bought three orders of chicken nuggets that were supposed to be 5 pieces for about $4.50 each and they stiffed us a nugget in each tray! Needless to say, I was upset.

It’s also best to avoid anything too sugary to feed your kids while stuck in a tight place for an extended period of time. Although I am an advocate of the emergency sucker for out of control meltdowns, I try to avoid super sugary foods and offer foods high in protein and fiber instead. I cannot tell you how many times I have been behind parent after parent who feeds their kiddos sugary treat after sugary treat only to look frazzled and confused when their toddler is jumping off the walls!

See Related Posts:

25 Easy Ways To Keep Your Toddler Entertained On An Airplane

Dos and Don’t for airplane travel with kids

Diaper Bag Packing List for airplanes

I Spy Printable Airplane Game

Monsters Don’t Ride On Airplanes eBook

If you want to keep things cold for a bit consider packing a frozen Gogurt or something similar in a cooler type lunch sack. These have worked great for us in the past and really helped us serve up some healthy options on the plane. Remember 3.4 oz is the magic number for getting liquids/gels through airport se curity.

Airplane Snacks for Kids

If you are running low on ideas here are 60 to get you started. Some have links to recipes:

  • Coconut Oil and Flaxseed No-bake Cookies
  • String Cheese
  • Crackers and Cut Up Cheese
  • Apple Slices
  • Peanut Butter Sandwiches
  • Whole Grain Crackers
  • Gogurt – We take ours frozen to keep cool until flight time.
  • Low Sugar Granola Bars
  • Powdered Milk – Just Add to Water When Ready
  • Whole Grain Goldfish Crackers
  • Graham Crackers
  • Uncrustables Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
  • Low Sugar Fruit Snacks
  • Banana Chips
  • Pretzels and Peanut Butter Dip
  • Crackers and Peanut Butter
  • Applesauce or Applesauce/Veggie Pouches
  • Dried Apricots
  • Dried Mangos
  • Teddy Grahams
  • Mini Rice Cakes
  • Orange Slices
  • Small Yogurt Cups (under 3.4 oz)
  • Freeze Dried Strawberries
  • Blueberries (in a container)
  • Raspberries (in a container)
  • Whole Wheat Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies 
  • Sliced Strawberries
  • Whole Wheat Bread
  • Carrots and Ranch Dip
  • Salsa and Tortilla Chips
  • Quesadilla (kids won’t care that it’s cold)
  • Pizza slices (again kids won’t care that it’s cold)
  • Turkey Sandwich
  • Ham Sandwich
  • Oatmeal Packet – Ask for hot water from airport coffee shop or on the airplane.
  • Bagel, Peanut Butter, and Raisins
  • English Muffin, Ham, and Cheese
  • Pepperoni Slices
  • Fried Apple Rings
  • Chocolate Covered Peanuts
  • Pasta Salad
  • Nutrigrain Bars
  • Hummus and Pita
  • Sweet Potato Chips
  • Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars
  • Turkey Wraps

Thanks for checking out our list. Hopefully, you have some new ideas of good airplane snacks for kids. Let us know in the comments about your ideas and useful tips!

(This post contains affiliate links)

travel food ideas for toddlers

Comments 20

' src=

Thanks for this list! This is perfect timing for me. We are flying 10 hours on Thursday and there will be no food service. I need to bring all of our meals with us, and now I have some great ideas!

' src=

Thank you!!!! I always am clueless when it comes to packing food for the airplane!

' src=

Awesome! We are taking the kids on a three hour plane ride and were wondering what we could bring for them!

' src=

This is a great list. We just went snack shopping for our 24 hrs of flying this weekend. Now, I think I need to go back and get some of these suggestions.

' src=

Wonderful list! You’ve got a lot of things here that I’d never have thought of.

How has your experience been taking “liquidy” things like yogurt tubes, pouches of applesauce, etc through security? I had a friend that recently refused to open her baby’s food jars/pouches at security. They made her get patted down and tested her hands, but let her through with it unopened. I don’t know if this is common or not…

' src=

Hi Andi! They should never ask to open the baby food jars or pouches. But they will likely test the outside of jars and bottles and possibly hands for explosive residue. As long as they see a baby or a toddler they are usually pretty understanding. I’ve never had anything confiscated but tested yes. I’m proud of your friend for refusing to open the food, there is no reason for them to ask of that.

' src=

Great list! I’ve had TSA take yogurt away, but only in China did they insist on opening one pouch of baby food. I wasn’t exactly fluent and I had a ton with me so I didn’t put up much of a fuss. If it had been in the states I would have been looking to speak to a manager. Thanks for linking up to #travtipstues today!

Was it a cup of yogurt they took away? I know gogurt is 2 ounces but I don’t know what the cup is. I’m impressed you took the kids to China- We may take them to Japan with us next Spring but are still trying to decide.

' src=

I think your list is great for car traveling, too. Nutritious and reasonably priced snacks and meals can sometimes be a challenge on road trips. Hope you’re doing well, Hilarye!

' src=

For the safety of people with peanut allergies. Avoid bringing snacks on the plane that doesn’t contain peanuts or other nuts. It won’t kill you avoiding peanuts on the plane for the few hours you are flying but could kill the person on the plane, and not to mention divert the plane to get the person to an ER.

Good point Tasha! I can’t imagine what it would be like to have a peanut allergy and be traveling or be the parent of a child with one!

' src=

I’m with Tasha…as the parent of a child with a peanut allergy, my eyes widened every time I saw peanut butter/nut products on this list! Peanut and tree nut allergies are very serious, and you never know who is flying with you. Not the best choice of snack to bring on a plane! Try soy butter, or Wowbutter instead.

Yes Sarah I agree 100% completely. I wrote this list five years ago. Might be time for an updated more allergy tolerant one

' src=

What about cooked carrots or sweet potato? Or in general can a food be cooked or just raw?

Yes! You can bring cooked food through! You just want to consider how it will keep! I like to bring frozen gogurts to help keep other food fresh.

Pingback: 8 Essential Tips For Taking Baby On A Cruise | Dotting the Map

Pingback: List of US and International Airport Codes | Dotting the Map

Pingback: 25 Screen-Free Ways to Entertain a Toddler on a Road Trip | Dotting the Map

Pingback: 30 TSA Friendly Keto Snacks That are Perfect for Traveling and Available on Amazon | Dotting the Map

' src=

I would suggest removing a lot of the peanut butter snacks you have mentioned. On SEVERAL flights I have been on, there has been an announcement that there is a peanut butter allergy on board and to not open anything with nuts. Of course it was when I let my kids choose the peanut butter M&M’s, but they understood, they have friends with food allergies. A toddler might not be so understanding.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Parent Intel

60 Best Airplane Snacks For Toddlers: Happy Travel With Kids

Best Airplane Snacks For Toddlers

Table of Contents

Getting ready for a long flight with your little one and wondering about the best airplane snacks for toddlers that will keep them happy and satisfied in the skies? I’ve got you covered. Whether it’s a quick hop or a long-haul journey, picking the right snacks can make all the difference.

Here’s a top recommendation to start: Peanut butter sandwich squares . They are a fantastic option for young kids. They’re not only packed with energy but also hold up well over long trips. Easy to handle and not too crumbly, these squares can be a tasty and filling snack without causing a huge mess. Plus, they’re a good source of protein and can be made with whole-grain bread for an added health benefit.

Remember to check for any allergy restrictions for the passengers around you, but if you’re all clear, peanut butter could be a great way to keep those little tummies full until you reach your final destination. For longer flights, consider pairing these with fresh fruit like apple slices – they stay fresh at room temperature and are a sweet treat for little kids.

Just a quick reminder: Always check the TSA website – or your local government equivalent for the latest guidelines on what you can bring. Baby food and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding the usual limits for liquids, but they might require additional screening.

Now, get those carry-on bags ready with these tasty treats, and you’ll be all set for a smooth and snack-filled flight with your toddler!

60 Airplane-Friendly Snacks for Toddlers

60 Airplane-Friendly Snacks for Toddlers

When you’re high above the clouds with a toddler in tow, the best airplane snacks are those that don’t demand a cold pack and can withstand a bit of turbulence without creating a Picasso on the tray table. For those long flights, it’s all about convenience and keeping young children content, without the hassle of ice packs or the worry of food spoiling. Luckily, we’ve put together 60 great snack ideas for your toddler to take on the plane, here they are:

  • Sliced cucumbers – cool and hydrating.
  • Rice cakes – light and crunchy.
  • Mini rice rolls – easy to handle.
  • Dried fruit – naturally sweet.
  • Rice puffs – melt in the mouth.
  • Cheese cubes – packed with calcium.
  • Graham crackers – less crumbly than cookies.
  • Oatmeal cookies – a wholesome treat.
  • Pretzel sticks – fun to munch on.
  • Air-popped popcorn – without added butter or salt.
  • Banana chips – crunchy and sweet.
  • Freeze-dried berries – no mess, lots of flavor.
  • Roasted chickpeas – a protein-rich bite.
  • Baby carrots – a satisfying crunch.
  • Whole grain tortilla chips – a better alternative to potato chips.
  • Nut-free trail mix – safe for allergies.
  • Edamame – packed with protein.
  • Snap peas – crispy and nutritious.
  • Sunflower seeds (shell-free) – for a bit of texture.
  • Mini bagels – a filling option.
  • Seed crackers – packed with nutrients.
  • Sugar-free gelatin cups – wobbly and fun.
  • Plain yogurt in spill-proof containers – for a dose of probiotics.
  • Applesauce pouches – no spoon needed.
  • Cheese strings – fun to peel.
  • Raisins – in small boxes for easy handling.
  • Natural fruit leather – sweet without added sugar.
  • Whole grain waffles – soft and chewy.
  • Pita slices – pair with spreadable cheese.
  • Blueberry muffins – made with whole wheat.
  • Baked sweet potato fries – soft and sweet.
  • Quinoa puffs – a light snack.
  • Almond butter packets – for dipping or spreading.
  • Roasted seaweed snacks – crispy and salty.
  • Pea crisps – a veggie snack with a crunch.
  • Unsweetened shredded wheat – a fibrous choice.
  • Spinach and kale chips – for a green veggie boost.
  • Pear slices – juicy and sweet.
  • Zucchini bread – sneaks in veggies.
  • Cauliflower tots – tasty and trendy.
  • Sugar snap peas – a sweet veggie treat.
  • Hummus cups – for dipping veggies or crackers.
  • Sliced bell peppers – colourful and sweet.
  • Baked tofu cubes – a soft, protein-rich option.
  • Mini cornbread muffins – a touch of savoury.
  • Fruit cups in natural juice – no added sugar.
  • Gluten-free fig bars – for sensitive tummies.
  • Nut-free granola – sprinkle on yogurt or eat solo.
  • Veggie straws – less greasy than chips.
  • Guacamole cups – healthy fats and flavours.
  • Pumpkin seeds – a nutrient-dense nibble.
  • Baked apple chips – a naturally sweet choice.
  • Watermelon cubes – hydrating and refreshing.
  • Organic fruit snacks – made with real fruit juice.
  • Coconut flakes – a tropical twist.
  • Chia seed pudding – in a portable container.
  • Homemade mini pancakes – easy to eat.
  • Cherry tomatoes – a burst of juiciness.
  • Soy yogurt – a dairy-free alternative.
  • Whole grain English muffin – with a spread of your choice.

These snack options aim to keep your toddler content and nourished from takeoff to landing, providing a balance of flavour, nutrition, and convenience.

Best Healthy Snack Options For Toddlers

Healthy snack ideas are a cornerstone of a peaceful flight with toddlers, especially on those long-haul flights where options may be limited. Here are some top healthy travel snacks that are perfect for young children and easy for parents to manage in a confined space like an airplane.

Hard-boiled eggs are a solid food item rich in protein and can help keep your toddler’s hunger at bay. They’re a filling snack and can be a good option for parents looking for something wholesome and substantial. Just peel them in advance for mess-free eating.

For a dairy delight, consider packing some individual portions of cheese sticks . They’re mess-free, don’t require spreading, and don’t come with the extra cost of pre-packaged snacks you’ll find at the airport. Plus, the calcium and protein are great for young kids.

Dried fruit, like raisins or apricots , can be a great airplane snack, providing a natural sweetness without the spike in sugar levels. They’re easy to pack in small plastic bags and don’t create a huge mess. Remember to balance these with other snacks, as the concentrated sugar content can still be quite high.

Whole grain cereal or oatmeal packets can be a surprisingly convenient and healthy option. Many flights offer hot water, which can be used to quickly prepare oatmeal. For cereal, you can bring an empty water bottle to fill after passing airport security, add some milk from the flight attendants, and you’ve got a healthy snack. Plus, the whole grains will provide lasting energy for those long trips.

Sippy cups or spill-proof containers with your child’s favourite beverage can be a lifesaver. Fill them with water after going through airport security to ensure your toddler stays hydrated throughout the flight.

For a vegetable fix, snap peas or sliced bell peppers are refreshing, hydrating, and packed with vitamins. They also provide that satisfying crunch toddlers love.

Lastly, don’t forget about food pouches containing pureed fruits and vegetables , which are a great way to include baby food for younger children without the need for spoons and bowls. They’re a healthy snack option, easy to consume, and some are even designed to be served at room temperature, making them a hassle-free snack for air travel.

By selecting a variety of snacks, you’re not just catering to the nutritional needs of your toddler, but also keeping them engaged with different tastes and textures. This approach minimizes fuss and maximizes satisfaction for both parents and young travellers, ensuring a smoother journey to your final destination.

Tips for Bringing Snacks on a Plane

Tips for Bringing Snacks on a Plane

When flying with toddlers , being prepared with the right snacks can make your air travel experience far more enjoyable. Knowing the TSA regulations and best practices for packing can save you time at the security checkpoint and ensure you have a happy, well-fed little traveller on your next flight.

Understanding TSA Regulations

First and foremost, familiarize yourself with TSA rules regarding what snacks and drinks you can carry onto the plane. Solid food items like sandwiches, granola bars, and crackers can be packed directly in your carry-on bags . If you’re carrying liquids or gels for your young children, such as baby food or breast milk, the TSA allows these in reasonable quantities exceeding 3.4 ounces, and they don’t need to fit within a quart-sized bag. However, they must be presented to the officers at the security checkpoint for additional screening.

Packing Strategies for Carry-On Luggage

When it comes to organizing snacks in your carry-on, clear plastic bags are your friend. They can be easily scanned by security and also allow you to see and grab snacks quickly during the flight. Using separate bags for different types of snacks can help keep things organized—think one for dry snacks, another for fruits and veggies, and a separate one for any liquids or gels.

Snack containers specifically designed for toddlers, such as the Munchkin Snack Catcher, can also be incredibly helpful. These not only prevent spills but also allow toddlers to help themselves, which is a great way to keep them occupied.

Quantity and Accessibility

When deciding on the quantity, it’s a great idea to pack more snacks than you think you’ll need. Delays are common, and the last thing you want is to run out of food with no access to additional supplies. A good mix of protein, carbs, and fats will keep energy levels steady.

Accessibility is key during a flight. Keep the most frequently needed snacks in an outside pocket or at the top of your bag so you can get to them without rummaging. This is where an empty water bottle can come in handy, too. Once you’re through airport security, fill it up at a water fountain so you’ll always have hydration close at hand.

Lastly, remember that while flight attendants can often help with basic needs, they might not always be available right when your toddler needs a snack. Having everything within arm’s reach means you won’t be caught off guard at the first signs of a hungry whimper.

By following these tips and preparing in advance, you’ll ensure that snack time is one of the smoothest parts of your journey, keeping both you and your young kids content until you reach your destination.

Toddler Travel Nutrition 101

Toddler Travel Nutrition 101

Travelling with toddlers presents a unique set of challenges, especially when it comes to maintaining a nutritious diet. It’s essential to prioritize travel-friendly foods that provide sustained energy and support overall health without causing discomfort during the flight.

Choosing the Right Types of Food

For young kids on the go, whole foods are the best option. Whole grain sandwiches with lean protein, like turkey or chicken, can be a great source of energy. Foods that are rich in fibre, such as fruits and whole-grain crackers, help maintain regular digestion, which is especially important during long-haul flights.

Hydration is another crucial element of travel nutrition. Dry airplane cabins can lead to dehydration much quicker than most realize. Encourage your toddler to drink water regularly throughout the flight. Bringing an empty sippy cup or a spill-proof bottle to fill up after passing through security can make this easier.

Foods to Avoid

It’s wise to avoid giving toddlers foods that are high in sugar, as these can lead to energy spikes followed by a significant drop, which might result in mid-air tantrums. Also, steer clear of overly salty foods, as they can exacerbate dehydration. Be cautious with new foods; a long trip is not the best time to introduce something unfamiliar that could upset your child’s stomach.

Additionally, try to minimize any foods that might create a huge mess. Stick to snacks that are easy to handle and won’t leave your seat looking like a battle zone. This will not only keep your toddler clean but also minimize the cleanup you have to do before disembarking.

Meal Timing

When planning for the trip, consider your flight schedule and how it aligns with your toddler’s usual meal times. A good strategy is to have a substantial meal before the flight to mitigate hunger during the journey. However, having a variety of snacks on hand to offer at regular intervals can help prevent hunger-related fussiness. Offering something to munch on during takeoff and landing can also help with ear pressure changes, with the bonus of keeping your toddler distracted during these critical times.

Remember, while air travel can disrupt regular meal routines, sticking as closely as possible to your toddler’s normal eating schedule can help maintain a sense of normalcy and prevent hunger from turning into hanger.

By focusing on hydration, nutritious food choices, and smart meal timing, you’ll be setting the foundation for a more pleasant travel experience for you and your young children, ensuring that you all arrive at your destination ready to enjoy the trip.

Pre-Flight Prep for Your Toddler

Preparing for a flight with a 2-year-old means considering how to best balance their meals and snacks before boarding. A little planning can go a long way in ensuring your toddler is content, well-fed, and ready for the adventure of flying.

Pre-Boarding Meal Suggestions

Before heading to the airport, aim to give your 2-year-old a balanced meal. This meal should include a good mix of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats to provide sustained energy. For instance, a peanut butter sandwich on whole-grain bread with slices of banana offers both nutrition and appeal to young kids. The protein and healthy fats from the peanut butter will keep your child satiated, while the carbs provide immediate energy without too much sugar.

Balancing Meals and Snacks

The timing of this meal is crucial. Plan to have this meal finished at least an hour before you leave for the airport to allow for digestion and to prevent any discomfort during the journey to the airport. After this meal, avoid heavy foods that might make your toddler feel sluggish or uncomfortable.

When it comes to snacks, pack a variety of options. Fresh fruit like apple slices can be refreshing and won’t cause a sugar rush. Small portions of granola bars or yogurt tubes can also be good options, offering nutrition without filling them up too much before the flight.

Integrating Snack Time Into Pre-Flight Routine

Snack time isn’t just about eating; it’s an integral part of the pre-flight routine that can also serve as a distraction and comfort during the hectic process of getting to your gate. Having a snack before the flight can also help in situations where takeoff is delayed, and meal services are postponed.

Bringing familiar snacks from home can also provide a sense of comfort and routine, which is beneficial for toddlers when travelling. The familiarity can have a calming effect, which is always a plus before embarking on a flight.

Lastly, remember to use snack time as an opportunity for your toddler to hydrate. Offering an easy-to-drink-from sippy cup with water can keep them hydrated before the dry cabin air takes its toll.

With these pre-flight prep strategies, you can help ensure your 2-year-old is as comfortable as possible, setting the stage for a smooth takeoff to your next flight.

Creative Airplane Snack Box Ideas

Creating an engaging snack box for your toddler can turn snack time into an exciting activity on a flight. The key is to include a variety of textures and food groups, ensuring that it’s not just nutritious but also interesting for your little one.

Assembling a Visually Appealing Snack Box

Start with a colourful assortment of fresh fruit. Baby carrots and apple slices offer a satisfying crunch and are a hit with most young kids. For a dose of dairy, you can add cheese sticks or cubes – they’re a good source of calcium and protein, and their firm texture makes them easy to handle.

Variety is Key

Incorporating a range of textures and food groups keeps things interesting and caters to your toddler’s evolving palate. Soft foods like food pouches with pureed fruits or vegetables are mess-free and easy to consume, especially for younger children. Pair these with some whole grain cereal or cereal bars for a bit of crunch.

For protein, hard-boiled eggs can be a filling snack, or you can opt for granola bars that contain nuts (if allergies are not a concern). Peanut butter can also be a versatile addition – try spreading it on whole-grain bread or rice cakes.

Fun and Engagement

To keep your toddler’s attention, turn snack time into a game. Small containers or a Munchkin snack catcher can add an element of fun and minimize spills. They allow little hands to practice fine motor skills while they reach for their snacks.

Create little “snack packs” within the box using silicone cupcake liners or small, colourful containers to separate the snacks. This not only makes it visually appealing but also gives your toddler a sense of surprise as they discover what’s in each section.

Include a mix of familiar favourites and maybe one or two new snacks. The excitement of something new can be quite engaging for a toddler, as long as you’re confident it won’t cause any adverse reactions.

Finally, consider a ‘DIY’ element in the snack box. For example, provide individual portions of cream cheese and let your toddler spread it on a bagel or some crackers. This activity can keep them occupied and encourage them to eat.

By putting a little thought into your snack box, you not only provide nourishment for your toddler during the flight but also turn snack time into an entertaining diversion, keeping them occupied and content as you make your way to your final destination.

Packing Hacks for Toddler Snacks

Packing snacks for your toddler for air travel can seem daunting, but with a few hacks and the right materials, it can be a breeze. Efficiency is key, so here are some practical tips to make sure your snacks are packed in the best possible way.

Choosing the Right Containers

travel food ideas for toddlers

Invest in good-quality, spill-proof containers. Munchkin snack catchers are great for dry snacks as they prevent spills and give your toddler easy access.

Yumbox Leakproof Bento Lunchbox for Kids

For liquids or semi-solids like yogurt or applesauce, airtight containers with secure lids are a must. We’ve loved the Yumbox containers which we’ve used for years for our oldest’s school lunches. They do claim they are leakproof, but that isn’t always the case for super liquidy things like yogurt or applesauce but if you keep the case reasonably upright most of the time the contents do stay apart quite well. Silicone tubes or reusable food pouches are great for mess-free snacking and can be easily held by small hands.

Packing Materials

To keep snacks like fresh fruit or string cheese at a cool temperature, use small ice packs. They are TSA-compliant as long as they’re frozen solid when going through airport security. Wrap these ice packs with paper towels to absorb condensation and prevent other snacks from getting soggy.

Efficient Packing

Plan and prep your snacks ahead of the flight. Portioning out snacks into individual servings not only saves space but also makes it easier to hand a snack to your toddler without fuss during the flight. Utilize stackable containers that can neatly fit into each other to save space in your carry-on bags.

Organization Hacks

Use a separate bag or a compartment in your carry-on specifically for snacks. This makes it easier to find what you need without having to rummage through other belongings. Clear plastic bags can be handy for grouping together smaller items, and they allow flight attendants to quickly see what’s inside, making the security check a smoother process.

Accessibility

Pack the snacks you’re likely to use first on top or in an easy-to-reach spot. It’s a good idea to have a few snacks ready in your seat pocket if you can’t access your overhead luggage right away.

By planning ahead and packing your toddler’s snacks in an organized and efficient way, you ensure that you have one less thing to worry about during your journey. This preparation means you can focus on the excitement of the trip with your young kids, rather than the stress of rummaging for snacks mid-flight.

Wrapping Up The Best Airplane Snacks For Toddlers

Wrapping up, keeping your toddler happy and well-fed on a flight boils down to choosing the right snacks and packing them smartly. Remember, long flights demand snacks that are not only nutritious but also engaging. Peanut butter on whole-grain bread, fresh fruit, and individual portions of cheese and crackers can be both satisfying and entertaining for your little traveller.

Always check the TSA website for updates on what you can bring on board and use those ice packs to keep baby food and yogurt tubes cool. Explain to flight attendants that you have baby food and breast milk with you; they’re usually more than willing to help.

With your snack box filled with great airplane snacks and your carry-on bags organized efficiently, you’ll be ready for your next flight. And don’t forget to hydrate— bring an empty water bottle to fill up once you’re through security.

Finally, planning and prepping snacks ahead of your travel day will always be the best way to ensure a smooth trip. With these tips and a little bit of creativity, snack time can be a breeze, giving you more time to enjoy the journey and the destination with your young kids. Safe travels and happy snacking!

Best Proud Dad Quotes: Messages and Sayings of Love

What to put on a baby shower cake: ideas for sayings, leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

dietitian meets mom logo

45 Healthy Road Trip Snacks for Kids & Toddlers

' src=

Road trips are fun, but they can also be stressful. As a mom (or dad), you have to pack all your gear for vacation plus snacks and food for the trip. Not to mention the great art of keeping your kids happy during the drive.  It can be hard enough just getting toddlers, especially out the door for a grocery shopping trip, let alone a long car ride. Here are some of my favorite healthy road trip snacks for kids !

What You’ll Need

If you are going on a long road trip with your family, packing some cold and refrigerated snacks is a great way to offer fresh and healthy snacks all day long. While you can get by on non-refrigerated snacks for shorter time periods, packing a cooler can be especially helpful for longer days or if you are packing lunch as well.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click & make a purchase, I receive a commission! Read my full disclosure policy .

Here are some of the things we find helpful when packing travel food for our toddlers:

  • Cooler – Soft or Hard Coole r depending on the length of our trip and the activities involved.
  • Water Bottle – This is our favorite insulated toddler water bottle to pack for travel for small toddlers and this one is great for older kids .
  • Zip Top Reusable Silicone Snack Bags – We have both the piggy and the blue bear and my toddlers love these. They fit in cup holders well and I like that they hold their shape better than the cloth bags for small toddlers.
  • Reusable Bumkin Bags
  • Bento Boxes – These are great for prepacking lunches to eat on the go or as a picnic. We use either stainless steel or collapsable silicone bento boxes .
  • Stasher Bags to store produce and homemade snacks in.

Road Trip Snacks for Kids

These kid’s road trip snacks can work as travel food ideas for older kids or toddlers. Packing your own snacks and food will not only help you eat healthier on the road, but save you time along the road since you will not have to buy food as often.

travel food ideas for toddlers

Healthy Non-Refrigerated Packaged Snacks

First, we’ll start off with some of the best non-refrigerated snacks to bring. Many of these include healthy packaged snacks for toddlers .

  • RX Kids Bar
  • Dino Bars (great texture for younger toddlers as well)
  • Skout Bar Kid
  • Larabars – Be careful with child’s age as some do contain larger pieces of nuts.
  • Chewy Honey Oat Kid Kind Bars – At 5g added sugar these are higher than I usually serve my kids, but they are a fun road trip treat and something different for older kids.
  • Triscuits (check out my other favorite crackers for toddlers here)
  • Bitsy Brain Food Crackers – Opt for Cheddar Chia flavor for a low sugar option.
  • Simple Mills Almond Crackers
  • Annie’s Whole Wheat Bunnies
  • Snap Pea Crisps
  • Puffs (I love this grain-free brand best)
  • Unsweetened Applesauce or fruit pouches
  • Pirate’s Booty
  • Freeze-Dried Fruit
  • Peanut Butter (for spreading on crackers, produce, etc)

Refrigerated Packaged Snacks for Travel

If you are packing a cooler and ice or ice packs, it opens your options up a lot more for snacks you can pack especially by allowing you to pack a larger variety of protein and produce.

  • Stoneyfield Yogurt Pouches – While I typically buy unsweetened yogurt and sweeten it at home, these are great for travel. They do contain 4g added sugar so I do not recommend below age 2 .
  • Babybel Cheese or Cheese Sticks
  • Cottage Cheese Singles

Refrigerated toddler road trip snacks - cheese and cottage cheese

Road Trip Snacks to Make

If you have some extra time to do some baking of food prep, here are some of my favorite homemade road trip snacks. It is always nice to have something homemade when you are going to be away from home for a while. These healthy recipes are perfect for kids of any age and even for adults!

  • Toddler Cookies
  • No Sugar Pumpkin Muffins
  • Toddler-Friendly Overnight Oats – Can make a great breakfast or snack if you have a cooler.
  • Homemade Trail Mix – Just ensure it is age-appropriate for your children (ie no large whole nuts for toddlers)

Homemade road trip snacks for toddlers - overnight oats and toddler cookies

Produce to Pack for Road Trips Snacks

With produce be sure to cut appropriately given the age of your child . Here are some options to consider prepping and packing. I like to prep my produce and then pack in stasher bags for travel.

  • Grapes – Cut in half or quarters for toddlers age 4 and below.
  • Berries – Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries
  • Bananas – No prep needed!
  • Apple Slices – Can be a choking hazard to young toddlers. Follow guidelines.
  • Small carrot sticks
  • Cucumber sticks
  • Pepper sticks
  • Roasted veggies – It takes a bit more prep, but I have certainly cut up and roasted sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli, and other veggies before road trips, especially when my kids were babies and I needed healthy baby led weaning lunch options.

Road Trip Breakfast & Lunch Ideas to Pack for Kids

There are so many great options for road trip meals for kids as well. My personal favorite is to pack healthy sandwiches, fruits, vegetables and snacks that the whole family can enjoy and make a meal out of.

Here are a few of my favorite breakfast and lunch ideas to pack for a road trip:

  • Favorite Homemade Muffins
  • Overnight Oats
  • PB & J Sandwiches – I prefer to buy Crofters Just Fruit spread
  • Ham Roll-Ups (cream cheese middle)
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Crackers with cheese or peanut butter
  • Tuna Salad with Greek Yogurt
  • Chicken Salad
  • Fruit Salad
  • Carrot Sticks with Peanut Butter

Here are some of my favorite Healthy Toddler Lunch Ideas including packable ideas that may work for your road trip!

Tips for Packing Healthy Road Trip Snacks for Kids

Here are a few of my favorite tips to make packing road trip snacks for your little ones a bit easier and go a bit smoother.

  • Start by making a list of all the snacks you plan to take and then create your grocery list.
  • Pack more than you think you will need. It never hurts to have extra! You never know when you will end up needing to eat lunch late or even have an unexpected picnic. We have gone on many trips to National Parks or other rural areas where we ended up further than expected from restaurants and were grateful for our car stash!
  • Pack healthy snacks and lunch for kids and toddlers in separate baggies or containers so you can pass them out quickly when you stop.
  • Pack plenty of paper plates, napkins, spare baggies, trash bags, and eating utensils – you never know what you will need when you are traveling and eating on the go.
  • Don’t forget to consider choking hazards and appropriate safety measures if you are allowing your children to eat in the car. For example, we do try to pull over to eat at a picnic table, but sometimes this isn’t an option. I usually only feed my kids in the car once they are older and with low-risk foods depending on their age.
  • Don’t forget to pack easy snacks for yourself and your spouse! Adults need plenty to eat on long trips as well.
  • Bring extra water to use to refill their water bottles .

Need More Snack & Meal Ideas for Your Toddlers?

The Complete Guide to Healthy Toddler Snacks

Healthy Packaged Snacks for Toddlers

Snack Ideas for Daycare

35+ Toddler Lunch Ideas

Sharing is caring!

free toddler snack and grocery list

FREE Toddler Snack Printable & Grocery List

Opt in to receive news and updates.

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

.

Simplify feeding your toddler with these free guides. Sign up for my email newsletter below.

' src=

Josten is a Registered Dietitian with over a decade of experience helping families enjoy healthy foods and find peace around the dinner table. She spends most of her time these days feeding her 3 tiny children. Whether you are a new mom or deep in the trenches, Josten is here to help save dinner...and your sanity!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trips With Tykes

50 Kid-Friendly Airplane Snacks

By: Author Leslie Harvey

Posted on Published: January 25, 2022

Share this!:

Flying with kids can be challenging, but flying with hungry kids is downright daunting! Many airlines have quite limited on-board food these days, and much of it is expensive and perhaps not what a picky kid wants to eat. This means that if you want to avoid the overpriced airline snack boxes and soggy sandwiches, you really need to pack your own meals and snacks when traveling with kids.

What snacks please the kids and also travel well? After hundreds of in-flight hours with my kids at various ages and stages, I’ve had a lot of practice figuring out which snacks work and which don’t. If you need inspiration for packing snacks for your next flight, look no further!

Kid-friendly airplane snacks

(Trips With Tykes uses affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through links in this post. See our full disclosure policy linked in the menu at the bottom of this site.)

Tips for Snacking & Eating on Airplanes with Kids

Before diving into all the specific snack suggestions, let’s talk about the challenges you might face with kids and snacks on a plane. There are more logistics than you might realize if you don’t travel often.

1. Consider TSA Liquid Rules

When traveling with snacks in your carry on bag, you’ll have to successfully get them through the airport security checkpoints. A lot of parents don’t think about the fact that some foods like applesauce and yogurt technically are treated as “liquids and gels” for purposes of the TSA rules. That means they need to be in containers that are less than 3.4 ounces. Select carefully!

TSA Checkpoint Oakland Airport with Pre-Check and CLEAR Kiosks

If you are bringing drinks through security, the liquid rules of course apply there as well. Our family brings empty water bottles and fills them up at a water fountain on the other side. But if you need milk and juice for a younger child, that requires a little more preparation and most likely some extra security checks (Related: Tips for air travel with toddlers and milk .)

2. Pack Snacks to Minimize Spills & Messes

Messes are inevitable on airplanes with kids. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t at least try to minimize them for the sake of the flight attendants and airline employees who have to clean up the cabins.

With younger kids, a snack catcher style cup is an essential for serving bite sized snacks like Cheerios and goldfish so the entire snack doesn’t end up on the airplane floor.

You can also pack snacks in single serve Ziploc snack bags – either for distributing directly to your kids or to use to refill the snack cup. If you prefer a more environmentally-friendly version, Bumkins reusable snack bags are cute and inexpensive for travel.

I also have found traveling with snack-size bento boxes to work well, especially for serving several snacks together as a meal to my kids. The Yumbox MiniSnack box is durable with easy travel cleanup.

One more thing to pack to minimize messes – something to clean them up! We travel with napkins, a couple of paper towels, or even a small hand towel to wipe up the bigger spills. And I never board an airplane without an ample supply of wipes. WetOnes are perfect for wiping down sticky fingers and these travel sized Clorox wipes are essential for disinfecting tray tables (both before and after!).

3. Consider Durability and Spoilage

Before packing snacks for air travel, consider whether they are the kinds of foods that will do well in transit. Many of your child’s favorite things to eat at home just may not travel well.

In order to make my list below, snacks had to meet two important criteria: 1) not be too messy and 2) last for a long time without refrigeration. As much as my daughter loves strawberries and bananas, we rarely bring them on planes because the potential for messes or stains is just too high. Soft fruit gets squished and bruised.

There are some foods that need to be refrigerated but that can travel safely for several hours until the time that your child eats them – think cheese sticks, yogurt tubes, etc. If you pack these, just make sure you plan to serve them on the earlier side of a longer trip.

4. Stick with the Familiar

Air travel is not the time to try to expand a child’s picky palate. Pack snacks you know your family likes to eat already, so you aren’t in a situation where your child rejects the choices and is hungry or cranky. Familiar foods are also a safer bet, as you know they won’t do something like upset a sensitive toddler tummy.

5. Pack Plenty of Peanut-Free Choices

Peanuts and peanut butter are popular food choices on planes for many travelers because they provide filling protein options that don’t need to be refrigerated. But one important word of warning to keep in mind – on occasion, the airline you are traveling on may announce that your flight is peanut-free if someone with allergies is on board.

It happens rarely, but it is so important to pack variety of non-peanut snacks for situations like this. (I once found myself at 6 months pregnant on such a flight with nothing but a peanut butter sandwich and learned the hard way!). You really don’t want hungry kids and you REALLY don’t want to put someone with peanut allergies in a dangerous medical situation. Pack a variety of non-nut choices for flexibility.

6. Pack Extra Food for Flight Delays

Finally, always pack many more snacks than you think you might reasonably need. My kids often eat more on planes than they do at home, probably because they are bored and looking to pass the time.

And air travel is so unreliable that you never know when a simple 2 hour flight might turn into a full day of travel delays. You just can’t always count on airport food choices and airline-provided snacks to get you through a flight cancellation or delay. If you have plenty of extra snacks in your carry on bag, you’ll save your sanity on the food front at least!

40 (Mostly) Healthy Kid-Friendly Airplane Snacks

Airplane Snacks for Kids

So now let’s get onto some snack suggestions. Here are my top picks for kid-friendly airplane snacks that aren’t of the treat variety.

  • Annie’s Bunnies Crackers
  • String cheese
  • Babybel cheese
  • Wheat Thins
  • Mini bagels
  • Ritz Bits sandwiches (cheese or peanut butter)
  • Granola bars
  • Cereal bars
  • Fruit leather
  • Dried fruit pieces
  • Puffins cereal
  • Pouches of applesauce or similar (the smaller the better for TSA lines )
  • Baby carrots
  • Animal crackers
  • Mini muffins
  • Apple slices
  • Celery sticks with peanut butter or hummus (look for single-serve packets of hummus and peanut butter)
  • Turkey jerky
  • Clementines
  • Mini rice cakes
  • Hard boiled eggs
  • Graham crackers
  • Lara or Cliff bars
  • Rice crackers
  • Cheese quesadilla bites (refrigerate before your flight and most kids will eat them cold)
  • Gogurt (or other brand of) yogurt tubes (freeze beforehand if you aren’t going to eat right away)
  • Puffs (great for babies, but my older child loved stealing these snacks from her baby brother too)

Plus 10 Kid-Friendly Airplane Sweets & Treats

Packing a few treats and sweets is essential too. There are times on a stressful travel day where a little sugar rush can help get everyone through or bribery is needed – no judgment!

Sweets and Candy Snacks for Airplanes

  • M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, or Skittles
  • Marshmallows
  • Gummy snacks/gummy bears
  • Bite size cookies (like Mini Chips Ahoy or Mini Oreos)
  • Jelly beans
  • Sweet tarts
  • Fruit loops
  • Fruit rollups
  • Rice crispy treats

 What are your favorite airplane snacks?  Share your thoughts in the comments.

Flying with kids? These 50 kid-friendly snack ideas will get your through your next airplane flight. Less mess healthy food choices (and a few sweets and treats) that work for road trips too.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Tuesday 19th of March 2024

This helped me with a couple of ideas for my flight with my 1 year old in a couple of months. It's always nice to see what other mom's bring with them to make the trip easier and mess-free. On TikTok there is a couple of videos that were in my algorithm that mentioned a snack tackle box which I'm all for!

Monday 10th of August 2020

canned chicken salad with crackers or tuna salad, fruit snacks, I freeze the cheese sticks so they don't melt before eating. Flavored rice cakes are good also. Pringles pack well in a backpack and an empty Pringles can is a good place for mom's medications. I put them in snack size ziplocs and label a.m. and p.m. for the trip. Just have to be sure little hands don't get on those, but it is a nice disposable way to carry medications so that you don't have to have anything on the trip back like a pill case would be. This trip I'm also going to try taking a lunchable.

Monday 25th of September 2017

Great list! The first time I flew with our son he was 4 years old. We brought plenty of snacks to keep him busy. While the chips ahoy cookies were delicious, a piece ended up on the seat and when we exited the plane, I noticed melted chocolate chips stuck to his bottom and everything he had on his seat with him. Caution, don't bring chocolate!

I Flew Frontier Airlines... And It Was Just Fine - Trips With Tykes

Monday 19th of June 2017

[…] Pack Smart: Since you have done your research, prepare accordingly. Pack plenty of snacks for you and your kids and buy any drinks you might want in the airport beforehand to save money. […]

Monday 17th of April 2017

I was looking over the list does the babybel cheese need to be refrigerated?

Go Places With Kids Logo

The Ultimate List of Toddler Travel Essentials (+Toddler Packing List!)

This page may contain affiliate links, which means that we may earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

Traveling with a toddler is not the easiest of feats, but it can be made a lot easier by bringing a few toddler travel essentials. These are items that make traveling with a toddler go much more smoothly for everyone in your travel group.

On our many trips with our toddlers, we’ve come to learn that there are some items that we just can’t do without when traveling with young kids. And others that we can ditch to save the luggage space…

In this article, we’ve included detailed descriptions of the toddler travel essentials that you won’t want to forget on your trip. We’ve also provided a toddler travel packing list to make packing for your child that much easier! Read on for everything you need to bring for a successful trip with a toddler.

If you’re planning on visiting the beach, check out our article on the beach essential for toddlers .

Toddler Travel Essentials

Getting around

These are a few essential items that make getting around with your toddler a lot easier during travel.

Toddler in an Ergobaby Omni 360 Carrier

  • Toddler carrier

When traveling with a toddler, a carrier is at the top of my list of toddler travel essentials. 

Toddler carriers can make life so much easier when traveling. They allow you to easily take your child places that are less stroller friendly and provide a perfect place for nursing (if your child is breastfeeding) and napping on the go. They’re also great for containing toddlers in places that might not be safe for them to roam free (say at the top of a bell tower or the edge of the grand canyon).

We’ve carried our toddlers in carriers all over the world and find it to be one of the easiest ways to travel with a toddler.

To find the best carrier for your child, see this article on the best toddler carriers for travel .

A stroller may or may not be a necessity for your trip, depending on what kind of trip you’re taking. We’ve taken trips with just a toddler carrier and others with both a carrier and a stroller (I always bring a carrier, even if I’m bringing a stroller). 

Strollers can be very useful for navigating the airport with a toddler and for trips where you’ll be visiting stroller-accessible locations. They’re nice to have along to give you a break from having to carry your child all the time (or chase them down constantly).

We love our gb Pockit for travel. It’s the most compact strollers out there and folds down small enough to fit into the overhead bit or under your seat on the airplane. Be sure to see our full gb Pockit stroller review .

Travel car seat

A car seat is typically going to be one of your toddler travel essentials, barring a few locations where you can get by just using public transportation. But if you’re planning on getting around by car, you’ll want a car seat to keep your little one safe. Strapped in their car seat is also the safest way for toddlers to fly on a plane. 

Younger toddlers might still fit within the safety requirements for an infant car seat, which are great for travel. Infant car seats are lightweight and easy to transport. 

If your child has outgrown their infant seat, it’s worth it to invest in a lightweight travel car seat. Trust me, after you’ve spent your whole trip hauling that thing around you’ll be glad to have left your heavy, bulky regular seat at home. Our favorite travel car seat for toddlers is the Cosco Scenera next.

Car seat bag

If you’re bringing a car seat, you’ll want to bring a car seat travel bag. These bags make transporting your car seat much easier and more manageable. 

There are a lot of different options out there so check out our review of the best car seat travel bags to find the best one for your trip.

Food/Snacks

These food relate toddler travel essentials will make mealtimes and snacks with your toddler go a lot more smoothly while on your trip. 

travel food ideas for toddlers

A bib is a helpful way to keep your child cleaner while eating. As an added bonus, it keeps their clothes clean as well, which makes it more likely that you can pack light and reuse outfits. 

These waterproof bibs are lightweight and pack down to practically nothing. We also love these silicone bibs which take a bit more space but are easier to clean and dry more quickly.

Snack catcher 

Snacks are a great way to entertain a toddler while traveling. And a snack catcher allows them to feed themselves independently without making a huge mess. This can be a helpful tool for distracting and redirecting a child who is getting bored or on the verge of a meltdown.

Our favorite snack catcher for travel folds down compactly, making it easy to store when not in use. The material it’s made out of does tend to collect lint and crumbs, so I recommend bringing a baggie to store it in when you’re not using it.

  • Travel high chair

A travel high chair can be a useful item for traveling with a toddler. It ensures that your child always has their own seat at the table and helps keep them contained so that they’re not climbing all over you or running around. This can make for a much more relaxing meal for yourself and your toddler. 

Travel high chairs are not always necessary if you’re going someplace where you know high chairs will be available. However if there aren’t high chairs, or if you’re not sure if there will be, bringing your own can be a nice way to ensure that mealtimes go smoothly.

  • Water bottle

You’ll want to make sure your child is drinking a lot while traveling, so be sure to bring a water bottle and offer it to them frequently throughout the day.

We prefer the straw kind because they are easier for our toddler to use and less likely to spill.

  • Disposable place mats

Feeding a toddler when you’re eating out can be tricky. The places you eat might not have toddler-safe dishes andd it can be a pain to have to feed your toddler bite by bite (plus in my experience toddlers often insist on feeding themselves!). 

That’s where these disposable place mats come in so handy. They have adhesive on all four sides to secure it to the table, providing a clean and stable surface for your toddler to eat on. Once they’re done eating, you can easily pull the place mat off of the table and throw it away. This helps to minimize mess and allows your child to have an independent eating experience without you having to stress about them breaking the dishes. 

Sleep Items

Toddler sleeping in a Kidco Peapod

Some of the most important toddler travel essentials are those related to sleep. Whether or not your toddler sleeps well can make a huge difference to the success of your trip. A tired and grumpy toddler makes for a very long day while traveling. 

These sleep items are ones that can be hugely helpful in getting your toddler the sleep that they need. For everyone’s sake!

  • White noise

We always bring white noise for our children while traveling. It helps block any ambient sounds that they might not be used to and also means that we don’t have to be quite so quiet as we’re moving around our hotel room or Airbnb. 

Oftentimes we’ll just use a white noise app on our phone, but if you want to be able to use your phone for other things, you can bring a travel white noise machine . 

While you’re away from home, you’ll want to make sure your toddler has a cozy and comfortable place to sleep. There are a couple of different ways you can do this. 

First, if your child sleeps in a crib you can see if your accommodations have a crib or pack ‘n play available for you to use while you’re there.

If you have a bed for your toddler, consider getting portable bed rails to keep your child from rolling off the bed in the night. These bed rails are placed underneath the bottom sheet to form a barrier at the edge of the bed. They provide a lot of peace of mind for when your toddler is sleeping in a full-sized bed. We’ve compiled a list of the best portable bed rails for travel with a toddlers to help you out. 

You can also choose to bring a portable toddler bed for your child so you can set up a cozy spot for them to sleep wherever you are. These can come in several different forms, from toddler cots to inflatable beds to pop-up tents. You can see our reviews of the best options for portable toddler beds if you need help picking a good one.

Whichever option you pick, make sure that your child knows what to expect and do your best to make sure it feels as safe and familiar as possible. 

Favorite stuffed animal

If your child has a special stuffed animal or blanket, make sure to bring it along to help them feel comfortable and safe during their sleep time. 

You could also bring along a favorite story or two as part of their bedtime routine. The key is to help it feel as much like the environment they’re used to as possible. 

A monitor may or may not be necessary, depending on your accommodations. If you’re all sleeping in the same room this may not be helpful as you’ll be able to easily hear if your child needs you. 

However, if you have a suite, an apartment, or a balcony, a monitor can give you a lot of peace of mind knowing that you can keep a close eye on your baby while in an unfamiliar place. 

You can see our recommendations for the best portable baby monitors to help your decision.

Blackout options

Toddler sleeping in a SlumberPod

For many young children, keeping a dark sleep environment is necessary for a good night’s sleep. This can be especially true if you’re changing time zones and trying to adjust their sleep schedule. 

Many hotels will have blackout curtains in their rooms, however rentals or Airbnb’s often do not. We had a couple of really bad experiences with our children waking up extremely early in a new place due to light and since then I always bring a black out option for our toddlers. 

One way to create a dark environment is to bring travel blackout curtains . These curtains have suction cups that you can use to attach them to the window, darkening the whole room for sleep. 

Another great sleep aid is a SlumberPod (see our full SlumberPod review ) or SlumberPod alternative to create a dark sleep environment for your child. These products go around your child’s bed to block out light to help them sleep better and longer. The nice thing about this option is that it creates a private sleep area for you child, meaning you don’t have to be quite so quiet and careful about light if you’re sharing a room with your child. 

  • Toddler airplane bed

If you’re flying with your toddler, another helpful sleep tool is a toddler airplane bed. These are products that can be used to extend the length of the seat and provide a comfortable place for your toddler to sleep on the plane. These can make a huge difference for international or long-haul flights where you’re traveling through your child’s normal bedtime.

There are few different kinds of airplane beds, and you can learn about the best options in our article on the best airplane beds for toddlers .

Toddler smelling flowers- toddler travel essentials

When you’re traveling with a toddler, there are a few health items that you want to make sure to always have on hand. 

Medications

If your child has any medications, be sure to bring enough for your trip plus a bit extra to account for unexpected delays. 

Also remember to pack your child’s medication in your carryon luggage so that you aren’t caught without it in case anything happens to your checked luggage.

  • Thermometer

Traveling with a thermometer ensures that you can monitor a fever if your child happens to get sick. I never travel without one and have actually had to use it a surprising number of times while on trips. It provides a little extra peace of mind knowing that you have a way to assess the severity of a sickness.

You never know when a child might get sick and bringing along some pain medication can make any unexpected sickness a lot less miserable for your child. This is another one I’ve had to use several times when traveling and I’m always so glad that I have it on hand. 

Hand sanitizer/sanitizing wipes

Traveling with kids means exposing them to lots of germs, which can often lead to them getting sick. And toddlers are the worst at this, as they tend to touch everything and then stick their hands in their mouths. Bring along hand sanitizer so that you can sanitize their hands frequently, especially before they eat. 

Sanitizing wipes are also very helpful for wiping down surfaces such as the tray tables and arm rests on the airplane and tables at restaurants. 

No one wants a sick kid, especially when you’re far from home. While you can’t always prevent sickness, sanitizing often definitely increases your chances of keeping everyone healthy.

Toddler travel essential basics

Toddler playing with truck toys on the plane

Having awesome travel activities is an absolute necessity when traveling with a toddler. That doesn’t mean that you need a lot of activities, but you do want a few great options that can capture your child’s attention and that they will return to over and over. 

Over our years of traveling with toddlers we’ve found some great activities that our toddlers always love. You can get some ideas from our list of our favorite toddler activities for planes and our favorite toddler activities for road trips . 

Consider not only activities for the flight or drive, but also for your hotel room and when you’re out and about. 

When you’re traveling with a toddler, you’ll want a great diaper bag to carry all of your essential items. I highly recommend a backpack diaper bag for travel. They are typically much more comfortable, secure against theft, and easier to carry over long periods of time. 

Diapers and wipes

If your toddler isn’t potty trained, don’t forget to bring along diapers and wipes. You can choose to bring along enough for your whole trip or, if you want to pack lighter, you can pack enough for the first few days and plan on picking some up at your destination (make sure it’s a place where they’re easy to find).

When possible, I try to just bring along all the diapers and wipes I will need for my trip to save myself the hassle of needing to pick some up during the trip. However, I know people who would prefer to pack less up front, so do what makes the most sense to you. 

Be sure to bring more diapers than you think you will need in your diaper bag if you’re traveling by plane. The middle of a long flight is not the place where you want to realize that your child is going through more diapers than you anticipated. 

  • Travel potty

For toddlers who are potty trained or in the process of potty training, a portable potty can be a lifesaver when traveling. 

There are a few different kinds, but one of the most useful for travel is a foldable seat that can be placed over a larger toilet to make a secure and smaller seat for your toddler. This allows toddlers to feel safer on a toilet and helps to prevent any potty training regressions while traveling. They’re also compact and can easily be folded up and carried in your diaper bag.

See our list of the best travel potties for toddlers for the best options out there. 

Clothes are obviously going to be a travel essential. We’ll highlight a few items in this section and you can find a more detailed list of clothes down in the packing list.

If you’re trying to pack light, bring outfits that can be mixed and matched.

Make sure that you’re packing weather appropriate clothes for your toddler (eg. sun hat, swimsuit, sunglasses vs winter coat, gloves, warm hat). 

Plan on bringing an extra pair of pajamas or two in case of nighttime accidents. It’s also a good idea to bring an extra pair of shoes in case you lose one or they get wet. 

Toddler travel packing list

This is our tried and tested toddler packing list that I use for every trip. I love being able to pack for a trip and know I’m not missing anything important as long as I double check my trusty list!

Packing tip: Spend a few minutes thinking about your toddler to determine if there are any toddler travel essentials that you should include that are specific to your child. For example, our oldest went through a phase where he couldn’t handle the smell of the toilet, so there was a period where we always carried a travel sized Poo-Pourri around with us. Our other two never had the same issue, so that wasn’t included in their packing lists. There might be items that your child needs that other people wouldn’t think to include.

  • Car seat travel bag

Food/snacks

  • Snack catcher

Sleep items

  • Stuffed animal
  • Monitor 
  • Blackout option
  • Hand sanitizer/wipes
  • Travel activities
  • Diapers/wipes or undies
  • Toothbrush/paste
  • Pants/shorts
  • Jacket/Coat

Warm weather gear

  • Swim diapers
  • Floatie/life jacket

Cold weather gear

Final Thoughts

With a little preparation, traveling with a toddler can actually be a lot of fun. We’ve had great experiences traveling with our toddlers over the years (along with the occasional meltdown of course).

These toddler travel essentials will help your trip go a lot more smoothly. And you can rest assured knowing that you’ve done everything you can to set yourself up for success!

Other posts you might be interested in:

How to Get a Toddler to Sleep on the Plane (Tips that work!)

The Best Airplane Snacks for Toddlers

How to Have a Successful Road Trip with a Toddler

How to Fight Jet Lag in Babies and Toddlers

11 Helpful Tips for Hiking with a Toddler

Related Posts:

The BEST Airplane Beds for Toddlers in 2024

The Family Nutritionist

42 Dietitian Approved Road Trip Snacks for Kids

by Alex Turnbull, RD | Sep 26, 2022

This article may contain affiliate links where I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Have a family road trip planned sometime soon?  Traveling with kids isn’t always the easiest.  You have the bathroom stop requests right after you just asked them if they had to go.  There’s the yelling, whining, and screaming at times.  And then there’s the infamous snack request every five minutes.

Finding healthy snacks for kids at home comes with its challenges, but now you’re supposed to pack healthy road trip snacks for kids?  How is that even possible?  

When you’re traveling with kids, your routine is likely off and so is their diet.  That’s why packing healthy road trip snacks for kids is so helpful.  It always feels like all they eat are snacks anyways, so why not leverage this and make sure you’re packing balanced snack options? 

In this post, I will share how to make a balanced snack for kids, plus 42 dietitian, mom, and kid-approved road trip snacks for kids, how to pack road trip snacks for kids, and tips for keeping perishable foods cold.

Even if you don’t have a road trip planned any time soon, these snacks work great for anywhere on the go, sending to school with your kids, and at home too!

Table of Contents

How to make a balanced snack for kids

It’s easy to just throw your kids a package of goldfish crackers and call it a day.  Heck, I do this sometimes too.  When serving your child a snack, it’s to both of your benefits to make sure it’s balanced.  And a “naked carb” aka goldfish by itself, will just leave them asking for a snack five minutes later – I know you want to avoid this!

To build your child a healthy and balanced snack that will keep them fuller for longer and provide more of the nutrients they need for their rapidly growing bodies, follow my Super Simple Snack Strategy.

healthy snacks for kids

By making sure you provide at least one fruit or vegetable with one protein/fat or grain, you’re exposing them to a wider variety of nutrients their body needs and holding of the snack requests.

Plus we know that kids don’t get in enough vegetables and are barely eating enough fruit according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans . Pairing fruits and veggies with their favorite snack gives them more exposure and opportunity to try it and eventually eat it. Never assume they won’t eat it either. Just give them a teeny tiny piece instead.

Benefits of offering a balanced snack:

  • More exposure to a variety of foods
  • Maximizing opportunities for more nutrition.  
  • More filling, leaving them fuller longer and not asking you for a snack five minutes later (never guaranteed). 

Dietitian approved road trip snacks for kids

Below are 42 different snack options that work great for road trip snacks for kids. This list is not exhaustive, nor is it perfect, however they all provide some form of nutritional value, some more than others.

More important than any single ingredient or gram of sugar in a particular food is overall variety. As long as you are pairing your child’s snack, and yours for that matter, with a fruit or veggie, you’re providing balance, exposure and potentially more valuable nutrients.

Choose whatever snacks you’d like for your kids, consider their preferences and don’t forget to try and keep to a meal time schedule of snacks and meals every two to three hours. This will make sure they’re actually hungry come meal time.

With each road trip snack I mention below, you will also see what Super Simple Snack group it belongs to to help you easily identify and pair food together to make a more balanced snack.

Super Simple Snack groups = fruit, vegetable, protein/fat, grain.

42 road trip snacks for kids

Whole Fruit

road trip snacks for kids banana

Fresh is a great option, but isn’t always the easiest to travel with. Whole fruit like bananas, apples, oranges, and pears are easier than berries and other fruit.

Super Simple Snack Group = fruit

Mini Raisin Boxes

road trip snacks for kids raisins

Golden Raisins

road trip snacks for kids golden raisins

If your child enjoys regular raisins, switch things up with golden raisins . Providing a different version (golden raisins) of food they already like (regular raisins), helps your child get used to trying new foods without even realizing it!

Freeze-dried Fruit 

road trip snacks for kids freeze dried fruit

Freeze-dried frui t is the perfect road trip snack for kids because not only are they getting fiber, vitamins, and minerals as they would from fresh fruit, it’s a crunchy snack that doesn’t need to be refrigerated. Look for options with no added sugar if possible. Fruit is sweet enough as it is.

Snapea Crisps

road trip snacks snapea crisps

While these Snapea Crisps arent a fresh vegetable, they are a crunchy snack that provides fat, protein, and fiber and the first ingredient is green peas. Plus they can help your child learn to like fresh vegetables one day.

Super Simple Snack Group = veggie

road trip snacks for kids cereal

Cereal is an easy go-to road trip snack for kids. They like it, it’s easy to throw in a bag and it’s fortified with so many valuable vitamins and minerals like B Vitamins and Iron. Because infants and children are at high risk for iron deficiency , cereal is an easy option to help increase their iron.

Super Simple Snack Group = grain

road trip snacks for kids pretzels

Another crunchy road trip snack for kids, pretzels hold up well while traveling and fulfill the popular crunchy snack category. I like getting individual bags for convenience, but I also try to buy the bulk pretzels and portion myself as much as I can.

Puffworks Peanut Butter Puffs

road trip snacks for kids puffworks

I love these peanut butter puffs for any occasion, but they’re especially good as a road trip snack for kids. This snack alone contains fat, protein, fiber, and iron. They do contain some added sugar, but the other nutrients they provide are extremely valuable. It’s all about balance. Plus they help you easily include common allergens which is important to do to help prevent food allergies.

Made Good Granola Bites

road trip snacks for kids granola minis

Made Good products are a favorite in our house, especially when on the go. Not only are they allergen friendly, they also contain nutrients from fruits and veggies! These granola minis taste like a granola bar but come in fun, ball shape. Sometimes novelty is all it takes to help your child actually eat.

Hippeas Chickpea Puffs

road trip snacks for kids hippeas

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good white cheddar Cheeto puff, but these Hippeas Chickpea Puffs are a great option to help your child get in more iron, protein, and fiber while on the go.

Amara Smoothie Melts

road trip snacks for kids smoothie melts

These plant-based yogurt melts from Amara have zero grams of added sugar and are super easy to travel with. It’s nice to not only have variety with food groups, but variety with different textures too.

Super Simple Snack Group = protein/fat

Yo Yo Fruit Rolls

road trip snacks for kids yoyo fruit folls

If you’re looking for something to check the fruit snack box, but want something a little healthier, try these Yo Yo fruit rolls . They’re gluten-free, vegan, made with fruits and veggies, plus contain 1 cup of fruit per pouch. They even come with a fun collectible card inside – novelty for the win!

GoGo Squeez Fruit & Veggie Pouches

road trip snack for kids gogo squeez

What parent doesn’t have pouches hidden in every nook and cranny? We love to keep GoGo Squeeze fruit and veggie pouches stocked in our car for any trip, short or long. It’s a quick and easy way to get some form of fruit and vegetable in, and yes, they contain fiber too!

Always remember that variety is key. Offer not just fresh fruit, but dried, freeze-dried, frozen, and even in puree forms like apple sauce or handy dandy pouches. What you offer will depend on where you are and what’s going on. Sanity is important to keep in mind too.

GoGo Squeez Yogurt Pouches 

road trip snacks for kids yogurt pouch

A shelf-stable protein source is hard to come by. That’s why we rely on shelf-stable GoGo Squeeze yogurt pouches – no refrigeration necessary! Bam there’s protein, calcium, and Vitamin D in one easy to grab n go pouch.

GoGo Squeez Happy Tummiez Pouches

road trip snacks for kids happy tummiez

Gut health is extremely important, but when you’re on the go, it’s easy to put on the back burner. These GoGo Squeez Happy Tummiez pouches contain plant-based prebiotics to help feed the good bacteria (probiotics) in your child’s gut to help keep them regular.

GoGo Squeez Morning Smoothiez

road trip snacks for kids smoothie pouch

GoGo Squeez for the win again. They have a smoothie option that contains, yogurt, fruit, and oats and doesn’t need to be refrigerated. This pouch is jam-packed with nutrition and only contains 3 grams of added sugar, making it a solid option as a road trip snack for kids.

Veggie Straws

road trip snacks for kids veggie straws

If your child doesn’t enjoy fresh vegetables quite yet, Veggie Straws are an easy way to help introduce them to the idea of veggies in a crunchy way! Make sure to still expose them to a variety of other vegetables even if they don’t like them yet.

Super Simple Snack Group = vegetable – kinda sorta

Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars

road trip snacks for kids fig bar

With traveling and being off schedule, constipation is a common challenge many children and adults face. That’s why packing snacks that contain fiber is so important. Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars contain 2 grams of fiber per serving, plus some protein, fat, and iron.

Nature’s Bakery Baked-In Bars

road trip snacks for kids baked ins

Another great option from Nature’s Bakery is their Baked-In Bars. These have even more protein, fat, fiber than the fig bars. Plus you even get a little taste of chocolate too.

That’s It Bars

road trip snacks for kids thats it

Fruit bars have quickly gained a lot of popularity due to their minimal ingredient list and convenient packaging making it super easy to eat more fruits and veggies. That’s it bars come in a large or mini size. I’m a sucker for mini versions of foods because if they don’t eat all of the full size version, I feel bad tossing it. Sometimes less is more.

road trip snacks for kids dino bar

These fruit bars are unique in that they have an edible wrapper made from potato starch to prevent sticky fingers. They also have a solid amount of protein and fat for a fruit bar which can help keep your kids fuller longer. Use code familynutritionist10 for 10% off!

Mini Lara Bar

road trip snacks for kids lara bar

Another snack option with minimal ingredients, Lara Bars are an easy option to include in your road trip snack rotation. Again, I like to go for the mini version if possible.

Pure Organic Fruit Bar

road trip snacks for kids fruit bar

We don’t have these Pure Organic Fruit Bars in our house for very long because they’re so good! When you need something sweet on hand that you feel good about, these are the way to go.

Sun-Maid Sour Raisins

road trip snacks for kids sour raisins

Another sweet option that’s not a fruit snack. Sun-Maid sour raisins . are sweetened with natural flavors and taste like candy but count as fruit.

Made Good Granola Bar

road trip snacks for kids granola bar

If you’re looking to get more bang for your buck out of a granola bar, Made Good granola bars include nutrients from fruits and vegetables. Plus they’re allergen friendly, so they’re also a great option for school snacks and classroom or Halloween treats .

Off the Eaten Path Crisps

road trip snacks for kids off the eaten path

You can certainly include chips on your list of road trip snacks for kids, but these Off the Eaten Path Crisps are crunchy, contain fiber, fat, and protein (remember this keeps them fuller for longer) and they’re delicious. Plus they’re a great way to help introduce your child to beans and other vegetables that are sometimes hard to sell.

Super Simple Snack Group = vegetable

Cosmic Carrot Chews

road trip snacks for kids cosmic carrot chews

Cosmic Carrot Chews are basically vegetable fruit snacks made with carrots, but with way less added sugar. They’re literally carrots sweetened with fruit juice and are an excellent source of Vitamin A. Because veggies aren’t the easiest to pack for on the go, nor are they often kids’ favorite, Cosmic Carrot Chews are a must!

Sweet Potato Crackers 

road trip snacks for kids sweet potato chips

These sweet potato crackers are so tasty and a great option to add to your cracker collection because if you have kids, you definitely have a cracker collection. For a cracker, this is a pretty decent option with 1 mg of iron, 1 gram of fiber and even some fat and protein too.

That’s It Crunchables

road trip snacks for kids crunchables

The same brand as the popular That’s It Fruit Bars, they also have these crunchable apple snacks that are basically like dried apples. A great shelf-stable way to include apples that are easy to eat because sometimes whole apples are hard for kids to eat.

Annies Cheddar Bunnies

road trip snacks for kids crackers

Another great cracker to add to your cracker collection! We also love their bunny grahams and cheddar squares too because variety is key when it comes to your cracker collection.

Pirate’s Booty

road trip snacks for kids pirates booty

I love Pirates Booty anywhere, anytime! It’s a safe alternative to popcorn for kids four and under since popcorn is a choking hazard . Pirates Booty is easily dissolvable and a delicious snack to add to your pantry, especially the individual packs for on the go or use the large bag to portion into reusable bags.

Mission Mighty Me Puffs

road trip snacks for kids peanut butter puffs

Another dissolvable option that’s great for on the go are Mission Mighty Me Puffs . They have a peanut butter and nut butter option that are great for infants (6 months +), toddlers and even older kids. They’re an easy way to incorporate peanuts and tree nuts, common allergens, on the go or at home.

RX Kids Bars

road trip snacks for kids RX kids bar

Just like your cracker collection, it’s important to have a wide variety of options in your bar collection. RX Kids Bars have minimal ingredients, but plent of fiber, fat and protein.

Peanut Butter Pretzels

road trip snacks for kids peanut butter pretzels

I’m pretty disappointed that I only just recently discovered peanut butter pretzels because they are now one of my favorite snacks. They’re the perfect salty snack and still provide fat, protein and even 1 gram of fiber per serving.

Super Simple Snack Group = protein/fat or grain

Terra Root Vegetable Chips

road trip snacks for kids chips

A chip is a chip is a chip, so eat the chips you love because life is too short – yes, let your kids eat the chips they love too. I did recently discover these Terra Root Vegetable Chips at Costco and they’re super tasty. Plus they’re a great way to help your kids try new foods and eventually learn to like root vegetables not in chip form.

Crunchmaster Multi-Grain Baked Crackers

road trip snacks for kids crunch master

Here we go adding another cracker to the collection. These Crunchmaster Multi-Grain Baked Crackers have 3 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber and .9 mg of iron per serving. If your kids enjoy crackers, throw this option in the mix to switch things up.

Crunch Roasted Edamame Beans

road trip snacks for kids edamame beans

Honestly, Crunchy Roasted Edemame Beans might just be one of the best on the go snacks you could include on your list of road trip snacks for kids. They have 11 grams of protein (11 GRAMS!), 4 grams of fiber and 1 mg of iron. If your kids enjoy a crunchy snack, these are a great option to include variety.

road trip snacks for kids popcorn

Popcorn is a great whole grain snack, but it’s also a choking hazard for children under four. If you have kids under four you can opt for the Pirate’s Booty for a safer option.

Whisps Cheese Crisps

road trip snacks for kids whisps

Because Whisps Cheese Crisps are literally baked cheese, they contain protein and calcium. If your children enjoy cheese, these are an easy way to include protein on the go without worrying about keeping cheese cool.

road trip snacks for kids trail mix

Literally designed for hikers on the go, trail mix is the ultimate road trip snack for a bunch of energy in just a small portion. The nuts provide plant-based fats for long lasting energy and the dried fruit give you quick energy to use right away. By all means go for the variety with M&Ms, but I also love this variety pack that includes seeds and different dried fruits.

Just remember that whole or even large pieces of nuts can be a choking hazard for kids under four years old. Always remember to take a CPR course so you know what to do incase your child chokes. I recommend the Thrive Trainin Institute Choking Prevention Course for any parent or caregiver. Use code ALEX10 for $10 off.

Super Simple Snack Group = fruit and protein/fat

Cerebelly Smart Bars

road trip snacks for kids smart bars

If you’re looking for a another bar to add to your collection that doesn’t have any added sugar, Cerebelly Smart Bars have zero. Plus they also have 3 grams of fiber, fat, and protein each so overall it should keep them fuller longer than your standard granola bar.

Super Simple Snack Group = fruit, vegetable and grains

Roasted Chickpeas

travel food ideas for toddlers

Roasted chickpeas are another portable protein option, but also nut free for any families with nut allergies. It also hits the spot for a crunchy snack and checks the box for having fat, fiber, and iron too.

On the Go Beverages

As for beverages, I recommend sticking with water in a reusable water bottle .  Check out a few options in my Amazon shop that we love and use with our kids.  You can also pack shelf-stable milk and 100% fruit juice boxes for variety. 

Of course, there are many more options out there and you should always remember to pack your favorites, even if it’s chips, cookies, or your favorite crunchy snack. These foods can fit into a healthy lifestyle too. The most important thing is variety and to pair foods together.

If you find that your child obsesses over sweets, treats, desserts, and other novelty foods read more here to help minimize the obsession.

Pairing balanced road trip snacks for kids

Many of these snacks would be a great option by themselves, but because of your child’s rapid growth and development, it’s advantageous to always use the Super Simple Snack Strategy (fruit or vegetable + protein/fat or grain).

This doesn’t mean you need to plan out a huge meal for their snack. Below are a few examples using the snacks recommended above.

road trip snacks for kids easy

How to pack road trip snacks for kids

When you’re traveling with kids, it’s important to be as organized as possible.  This means easy access to diapers, wipes, and snacks, lots of snacks. 

To help make choosing a balanced snack on the road with whatever options you have easier, here are a few recommendations:

  • Prepack two snacks together in a reusable or Ziplock bag using the Super Simple Snack Strategy .  You can pack multiple snack bags and give them the choice of which combo they’d like. This way they automatically get a balanced snack and a choice.  Now whether they eat or not, that’s never guaranteed.
  • Categorize your snacks by food groups into different bins or gallon Ziplock bags; fruits and veggies in one and protein/fat and most likely grain in this case in another.  When it comes time for a snack break, ask them to pick one from each bag/container. 

Check out how I packed my kids’ snacks when they stayed at their grandparent’s for a week over the summer.  My intentions were to help make things as easy as possible for Grandma and Grandpa.

While snacks may keep your kids busy for a little while, we love our Yoto Mini for car rides!

We use the Yoto Player when at home, but the Yoto Mini with our travel case , headphones , and the mini adventure jacket to keep it protected.

travel food ideas for toddlers

How to keep perishable road trip snacks for kids cold

The 42 road trip snacks for kids I recommended above do not need to be refrigerated, but adding perishable food items can definitely help increase the variety and overall options. Packing perishable road trip snacks for kids is definitely doable but requires more consideration with how it’s packed and stored. 

Perishable foods that need to be kept cold like eggs, yogurt, cheese, sliced fruits and veggies should really be kept 40 degrees Farenheight or lower.  If your perishable road trip snacks for kids are kept above this temperature, they should be thrown out after four hours, I know, sad.

Why do they need to be thrown out after four hours?  They look fine, right?  Well, it’s not that you will get sick from these foods, but the opportunity for bacteria growth and the chances that you could get sick increase.  When you’re on a road trip with kids, the last thing you want to deal with is any illnesses.  

To help keep your perishable road trip snacks for kids cold try these snack hacks:

  • Pack perishable road trip snacks for kids in a cooler with one or several ice packs.
  • Use frozen water bottles as ice packs to keep perishable snacks cool.
  • If packing yogurt tubes or pouches, freeze them first and use as an ice pack and eat once thawed.

Before you hit the road

Remember to keep in mind the Super Simple Snack Strategy when packing road trip snacks for kids. Variety is key. Try to include foods from these food groups:

  • Protein/fat

It’s likely most road trip snacks for kids will end up being fruits and grains. That’s simply because they’re easier to travel with, there are more shelf-stable options and kids love them!

And don’t forget to pack a beverage. Water is always a great option.

If you need more help with snack ideas and the all-day snack requests, get my Super Simple Snack Guide!

healthy snacks for kids

Recent Posts

  • High Fiber Black Bean Brownie Bites
  • The Best Mini Grilled Cheese
  • 6 Helpful Strategies for ADHD and Picky Eating
  • The Best Nutrients for ADHD and Picky Eating
  • High Fiber Broccoli Tater Tots

travel food ideas for toddlers

Privacy Overview

FirstCry Parenting

  • Vishal's account
  • Food & Nutrition

Baby and Toddler Foods To Carry & Avoid While Travelling

Gayatri Dawda

Video: Travel Foods for Babies and Toddlers (What to Carry and What to Avoid)

Food for babies while travelling, food for toddlers while travelling, foods to avoid while travelling with your baby or toddler.

Travelling with a baby in tow may seem challenging, but the key to ensuring a smooth journey that both you and the baby enjoy is to be prepared for anything you may need. A major part of travelling with your baby is having the right food around, as babies stomachs are delicate, and can’t handle outside food. Many parents are unsure about what kind of food to carry when travelling with a baby and toddler. To keep your baby’s hunger satiated and her mood happy, it is important to carry food that is both, travel-friendly and delicious. Here are some baby and toddler travel food ideas.

Babies between six to 12 months old are fairly new in the process of being introduced to solids , so it essential to be smart about the type of food you carry along for them. Here are some travel foods for babies.

1. Baby Food

Baby food is nutritious, yummy, and quite easy to prepare while travelling. This kind of food is generally given to infants above six months. There are various baby food premixes that are easily available and travel-friendly.

This is a complete food for babies and toddlers, due to the rich nutrients it contains. You can rely on breastfeeding the baby if you are travelling in a private vehicle, but it can be an issue in public places. Store breast milk beforehand, using a breast pump, and feed your baby during meal times. Formula milk is a great option, as it needs water and formula powder to make the mix.

3. Fruit Purees

These are wholesome, loaded with essential nutrients, and easy to prepare when travelling. This can be prepared on-the-spot since all you need is fruit, milk, a bowl, and a fork. Mash the fruit add milk and feed it to your tiny tot.

4. Carrot Cake

Travel isn’t fun without something sweet, right? Carrot cake is soft, healthy and delicious. You can always substitute flour and sugar with healthier ingredients such as whole wheat and jaggery or honey. Your child will be super happy when you bring out the carrot cake you’ve packed.

5. Porridge Mix

If your baby is over 6 months, you can carry easy-to-make porridge for him. Some easy and delicious porridges made out of sattu or ragi are easy to prepare as you simply need to pour hot water and mix. They are nutritious, easy to carry and a sure hit for your child.

6. Vegetable Puree

Boil vegetables like broccoli and carrot , and mash them until they reach a puree consistency. These can be seasoned and fed to your baby during travel to ensure his nutritional intake is sufficient for the day. Vegetables purees are easy to feed your child, and he will surely love the taste.

Between the ages of one to three, toddlers are now more accustomed to eating solid food, but require non-spicy, hygienic, and well-cooked dishes. Here are some food ideas for toddlers when travelling.

This superfood is easy to carry while travelling and is packed with essential nutrients such as calcium. Kids love the tasty flavours of yoghurt, which is light on the stomach. Ensure you pack yoghurt in travel-friendly jars for an easy feeding session. Ensure that you store yoghurt in a cool environment.

Choose O-shaped cereals while shopping for your trip, and it can prove to be an ideal travel food for one-year-old children and above. Slide them onto his fingers and let him enjoy this engaging activity while travelling. You can add dry fruits to make it healthy and enhance the flavour too.

This superfood is rich in calories and helps to boost the immune system. The unsaturated fats in eggs help in developing the brain. As you’re travelling, you can stick to serving them hard-boiled eggs, as they are the least likely to create a mess.

This Middle Eastern dish is rich in iron, which can prevent anaemia. Its thick texture means that kids are unlikely to spill it, and can be eaten with pita bread, which is filling. Make sure to refrigerate it before carrying and store it in a cool environment.

Parathas are filling, delicious, and can be prepared according to your baby’s tastes. You can prepare theplas at home and pack them for your journey, and your baby is sure to love them. Ensure that you let them cool completely before packing them.

6. Granola Bars

You can make soft energy bars or granola bars at home, loaded with healthy ingredients that are nutritious. They provide your little one with energy throughout the trip and are delicious and filling as well.

Date and dry fruit chikkis, rajgira or peanut chikkis are a good option for toddlers while travelling. These are healthy and stay fresh for a longer time.

8. Baked/ Roasted Makhana or Jowar Puffs

These are delicious, healthy, and filling, and a great option when travelling with toddlers. You can also add some milk flavours to them, which your child is sure to love.

Who doesn’t love cheese? Definitely not your toddler! Carry cheese cubes or cheese sticks and simply pass them to your child as finger food during the journey. It will keep him entertained and satiated for a while.

10. Cookies

You can bake healthy cookies out of ragi flour and jaggery before your journey and pack them. These are a great snack for long journeys as they are sweet and delicious, and last for long when packed well.

If you have a long journey, pack some idlis with sugar or jaggery for your little one. These are filled with nutrition and easy to hold and eat, so you can avoid any mess while travelling. For an extra zing, add spinach puree or beetroot extract to the idli batter to dye them green or purple.

12. Instant Upma or Poha

You can dehydrate some veggies and make a poha or upma mix with very little oil. Once the dry base is prepared, you can pack it along and simply add hot water when it’s time for your baby to eat. These are easy to make and nutritious too.

There are certain kinds of foods to be avoided when you are travelling with a baby in tow. Strike them off your travel list to ensure you and your baby have a hassle-free trip:

  • Oily snacks (especially the ready-made variety) should be avoided, as they can lead to issues like heartburn and obesity.
  • Soft drinks are rich in sugar and can erode the enamel of your kids.
  • Cereals that are high in sugar can lead to early diabetes.
  • Thin liquids are easy to spill and cause a mess. Kids have less control over their motor functions and can easily spill and drop food.
  • Foods that are relatively small can get lodged in the windpipe and are a choking hazard.
  • New and untried food which may not agree with your baby’s tummy

Travelling with your baby should be special for you and your baby. Feeding your baby or toddler during an outstation trip should not cause any stress. All you require is effort and loads of patience, so the journey becomes enjoyable with food and feeding times are the least of your worries.

References/Resources:

1. Feeding your baby: 6–12 months; UNICEF; https://www.unicef.org/parenting/food-nutrition/feeding-your-baby-6-12-months

2. Prohibited Item List; Airports Authority of India; https://www.aai.aero/en/airports/security-info/kullu-manali

3. Travel Recommendations for Nursing Families; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/breastfeeding/travel-recommendations.html ; July 2021

4. Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/foods-and-drinks/foods-and-drinks-to-limit.html ; June 2023

5. When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/foods-and-drinks/when-to-introduce-solid-foods.html ; August 2021

Papaya for Babies: Benefits and Recipes Iron Rich Foods for Babies and Toddlers Healthy Weight Gain Foods for Babies and Children

travel food ideas for toddlers

  • RELATED ARTICLES
  • MORE FROM AUTHOR

Dal Water (Dal Ka Pani) For Babies - Benefits & Recipe

Dal Water (Dal Ka Pani) For Babies - Benefits & Recipe

How to Make Fruit Purees for Babies

How to Make Fruit Purees for Babies

Beans for Babies - Benefits, Precautions and Recipes

Beans for Babies - Benefits, Precautions and Recipes

Diet Plan for 6 Month 2 Week Old Baby

Diet Plan for 6 Month 2 Week Old Baby

७ महिन्यांच्या बाळासाठी अन्नपदार्थांचे विविध पर्याय

७ महिन्यांच्या बाळासाठी अन्नपदार्थांचे विविध पर्याय

Diet Plan for 20 Month 2 Week Old Toddler

Diet Plan for 20 Month 2 Week Old Toddler

Popular on parenting.

245 Rare Boy & Girl Names with Meanings

245 Rare Boy & Girl Names with Meanings

Top 22 Short Moral Stories For Kids

Top 22 Short Moral Stories For Kids

170 Boy & Girl Names That Mean 'Gift from God'

170 Boy & Girl Names That Mean 'Gift from God'

800+ Unique & Cute Nicknames for Boys & Girls

800+ Unique & Cute Nicknames for Boys & Girls

Latest posts.

Cookie Monster Coloring Pages - Free Printable Pages For Kids

Cookie Monster Coloring Pages - Free Printable Pages For Kids

Robot Coloring Pages - Free Printable Pages For Kids

Robot Coloring Pages - Free Printable Pages For Kids

Cheerleading Coloring Pages - Free Printable Pages For Kids

Cheerleading Coloring Pages - Free Printable Pages For Kids

Essay On Holi - 10 lines, Short and Long Essay for Students and Children

Essay On Holi - 10 lines, Short and Long Essay for Students and Children

The Rare Welsh Bit

The Rare Welsh Bit

Food and travel blog focusing on food travel and sight-seeing, from Cardiff to the Caribbean

Top 12 Travel Foods for Babies And Toddlers 

Share now or save for later

This is a collaborative post.

Travelling with an infant or toddler can be an exciting experience, but it’s not always easy to find appropriate food options to satisfy both yourself, and your little one. 

One way to make the travel experience more enjoyable, is to pack food that won’t spoil during the trip, including nourishing foods to keep your child satiated. 

For inspiration, here are 12 travel food ideas for babies and toddlers to help you prep better for that long-awaited trip together. For further reading, this blog from  The Parents Class  has a useful guide of foods to avoid in pregnancy.

A baby sticking his finger into a chocolate cake.

  • 1 Breast or formula milk
  • 2 Flavoured yoghurt
  • 3 Scrambled eggs
  • 5 Fruit or veggie puree
  • 6 Mini muffins or cakes
  • 7 Cracker sandwich with peanut butter and jelly
  • 8 Oats or porridge
  • 9 Granola bars
  • 10 Wholewheat pasta with pesto
  • 11 Baked sweet potato fingers
  • 12 Dry cereal

Breast or formula milk

If your child is still too young to eat solid foods, be sure to carry extra bottles of breast or infant formula milk.

You may want to bring powdered formula, rather than premade bottles, especially if you’ll be travelling for a long period of time; formula tends to be easier to find when travelling internationally: https://sellformula.com/

You can buy the best formula for babies at airports, but it’s usually more expensive here than it’ll be in most other stores, so either pack it into your suitcase, or buy it from a local supermarket or grocery store when you arrive at your chosen destination.

Flavoured yoghurt

Yogurt is full of calcium, while also being easily digestible. What’s more, it also contains probiotics to help boost the immune system. 

If you’ll be travelling on a road trip, you could pack some yoghurt into a cooler bag to keep it chilled during your journey.

Alternatively, if you’ll be flying to your destination, consider buying some flavoured yoghurts from a local grocery store once you’ve landed.

As yoghurt is such a versatile food, you can also mix it with other foods. While fruit might be the most obvious choice, yoghurt also makes for a low-fat alternative to cream in everything from sauces to curries.

Scrambled eggs

If you’re heading off on a family picnic with your toddler, consider scrambled eggs as a potential meal option. Scrambled eggs are a great source of protein and healthy fats and, most importantly, they’re quick to prepare and can be eaten cold.

This is a great option for keeping your baby’s tummy full for hours; they’ll be less cranky, so you’ll be able to truly enjoy your travel experience.

From apples and pears to pineapples and mangoes, most fresh fruits are small enough to throw in a bag, while also providing a much-needed energy source during long car rides. 

Plus, they’re often less messy than some other snacks for travelling; just be sure to pack some wet wipes in case of any spillages!

Alternatively, mix plain yogurt with a spoonful of your baby’s favorite fruits; there are many varieties in any local supermarket that you can choose from.

What kind of fruits are best for toddlers while travelling?

Fruits that don’t require refrigeration are the best kind to travel with. One example is grapes, which are also packed with nutrients, although bananas are another great choice when travelling with young children. Sliced or chopped fruits work well, too.

Fruit or veggie puree

It can be a challenge to feed young babies on the go, especially if they’re not eating solid foods yet. However, pureeing fruit or vegetables for them may just be the solution you’ve been looking for.

Pureed bananas are ideal for infants who are just starting to eat solid foods, while apple sauce, peaches, apricots, pears and plums can make for great alternatives. Similarly, a few veggies that work well pureed include squash (either butternut or zucchini), cauliflower, and carrots. 

Note: Most babies and toddlers aren’t ready for beans until they’ve been eating other types of food for a while – usually around 12 months of age. So, avoid legumes when you’re out with your child.

Mini muffins or cakes

You can buy premade baby food in jars or pre-made cakes in containers, so there’s no reason why you can’t bring your own home-cooked foods with you while travelling.

For example, if you make muffins, cakes, or brownies at home , you can pop them into reusable plastic containers or bags for feeding on the go – just be sure to include a spoon so your little one doesn’t have to eat with their hands!

Cracker sandwich with peanut butter and jelly

Sandwiches with bread are old school. So, why not switch things up and make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with crackers?

However, this will depend on the age of your child, as if your toddler or baby’s teeth haven’t fully grown yet, they might not be able to chew crackers that well. In this case, you might need to stick to using bread.    

Oats or porridge

If you’ll have self-catering facilities at your disposal while travelling, there is absolutely no compromise on taste or health when it comes to porridge for toddlers; kust add some sugar, salt and fat-free milk to some rolled oats, and cook it like regular porridge; your baby will probably eat it without any fuss. 

Your child’s digestive system will benefit from unprocessed oatmeal, which helps prevent constipation. 

Granola bars

Granola bars make for a great travel snack for both adults and children alike, as they contain plenty of complex carbs and fibre, but only a small amount of sugar and as they’re served in individual portions, they’re handy for refuelling on-the-go. Again, however, this will be dependent on how old your child is, and whether their teeth are fully grown yet.

You can also substitute dried fruit or nuts for granola, which might be easier to find when travelling, depending where you’ll be heading.

Wholewheat pasta with pesto

Pasta is an ideal meal for travelling for kids and adults, as it’s easy to carry without worrying about spilling and, if need be, it can be cooked in advance.

Eating pasta will help to keep your little one fuller for longer, as it takes a while to digest fully. Likewise, pesto is a good source of fibre, iron, protein, potassium, vitamin K and omega-3 fatty acids. 

Pesto sauce can be a simple, yet tasty way to add flavour to pasta. You can use store-bought pesto, or make your own by mixing fresh basil leaves with olive oil and pine nuts in a food processor or blender; do this before you head off on your journey, and decant the pesto into a small air-tight container or jar for travelling.

Baked sweet potato fingers

For a convenient yet appetising healthy snack to carry for your child to nibble on-the-go, opt for baked sweet potato fingers, or wedges.

Simply cut a sweet potato in half lengthwise, slice each piece into thin (quarter-inch) sticks (a bit like fries) and arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Lightly drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, oregano or any other spices you like.

Bake for 20 minutes in the oven, until golden brown. Baked sweet potato fingers are delicious served warm, but they can also be eaten cold – pack them into an air-tight container and carry them with you on your journey for a go-to healthy snack.

Wherever you’ll be travelling to, dry cereal often makes for a convenient food choice to take with you.

For babies under six months old, you can take baby rice cereal with you in a small, airtight container and mix it with milk as needed (although, you’ll need to limit their intake to 10oz per day). After six months, babies can eat any kind of dry baby cereal, either with milk or eaten dry, as finger food for snacking.

Travelling with your baby or toddler can be fun, but there are many things to think about before you head off, especially when it comes to feeding your baby. With a little planning, however, it’s entirely possible to pack nutritious travel foods for your toddler to enjoy during your trip.

What foods do you like to prepare for your baby or toddler while travelling? Comment below to let me know your favourite ideas.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Cook With Renu

15+ Kids Travel Food Ideas | 15+ Easy Travel Snacks for Kids

Posted on March 29, 2019

Home » Travel/Picnic Food » 15+ Kids Travel Food Ideas | 15+ Easy Travel Snacks for Kids

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook 82

Summers are here and travel is on everyone’s mind. Picnic, vacation is fun and we create a lot of memories along. There are short trips, long day trips or overnight trips. And when this is clubbed with kids you need to think about everything. Clothes, toys, food etc. And when it comes to food, you need something fuss free and easy. Something which the kid’s would love to try and enjoy on their own. So that everyone enjoys the trip including you.

15+ Kids Travel Food Ideas | 15+ Easy Travel Snacks for Kids

Since I am always on the lookout for kid friendly recipes, I thought of guest hosting this Kid’s Delight event with the theme Travel food , an event by Srivalli, i.e. Srivalli’s Kid’s Delight event .

We got some wonderful recipe collection from a group of bloggers where they have shared some healthy yet lip-smacking recipes for our kids. So sharing here a list of 15+ Kids Travel Food Ideas. Get the list of recipes below:

Harini from Tamalapaku made this

  • Pasta Sandwich
  • Minapa-rotte
  • Nutmeg Chocolate Chip Cookies

I loved Harini’s idea of adding 2 kids favorite Pasta and bread into one

Priya from I Camp in my Kitchen made this

  • Roasted Phool Makhana, Roasted Foxnuts, (A Vegan and a Gluten Free Snack)
  • Vegan Banana and Cookie Butter Muffins|Vegan Banana and Biscoff Mufins
  • 100% Whole Wheat Bread – Vegan Whole Wheat Loaf Bread

In love with her Banana and cookie butter muffins. Do not forget to check the link.

Swaty from Food-Trials made

  • Date and Walnut Muffins
  • Makhana Namkeen(Fox Nut Trail Mix)
  • Methi Thepla

What a healthy and delicious travel recipes swaty shared.

15+ Kids Travel Food Ideas | 15+ Easy Travel Snacks for Kids

Pavani from Pavani’s Kitchen made

  • Easy Banana Chocolate Muffins Recipe
  • Cornflakes Mixture Recipe | Cornflakes Chivda Recipe
  • Easy Lemon Rice | Easy South Indian Lemon Rice

Easy, delicious and healthy cornflakes chivda which everyone would love.

And finally it’s my turn, “ Cook with Renu “. I made

  • Methi Puri (Poori) | Fresh Fenugreek leaves Bread
  • Aloo Toast Sandwich | Potato Toast Sandwich
  • Palak Paneer Stuffed Idli | Steamed Spinach & Cottage Cheese Cakes

I love to carry the pooris and sandwiches more often then not.

Few More Kid Travel Ideas on my blog

  • Coconut Flour Orange poppy seeds muffins (Gluten Free)
  • Eggless Whole Wheat Chocolate Cupcakes (with Vegan Option)
  • Double Chocolate Whole Wheat Banana Bread
  • Khasta Moong Dal Dry Kachori
  • Instant Ragi Idli
  • Four Leaf Clover GoodLuck Rolls
  • GingerBread Men
  • Fudgy Apple Brownies
  • Chocolate Coconut Ice
  • Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti ~ A Perfect Christmas Treat
  • Instant Carrot Semolina (Rava) Idli | Steamed Carrot Semolina Cakes
  • Knäckebröd – Swedish Multi-Seed Crispbread
  • Whole Wheat Carrot Cake | Bread
  • Nankhatai Take 2 | Indian Eggless Cookie
  • Dates & Nuts Energy Bites

and many more here ….

If you tried this recipe, please comment and rate the recipe. Tag me at @cookwithrenu_ad on Instagram .

Subscribe to my email list to get the new recipes straight into your mailbox.

Disclaimer & Privacy Policy

Srivalli Jetti

Saturday 30th of March 2019

Wonderful collection for kids Renu, lovely list!..Will surely be so useful for us.

CookwithRenu

FREE WORKSHOP:

Baby led weaning (but make it purees), get our step-by-step plan for safely and gradually transitioning your baby from purees to finger foods at your — and your baby’s — own pace, (plus get a free bonus, the texture timeline™ starter guide), spots are limited.

  • Blog , Blog - Baby

Easy and practical baby led weaning travel food ideas for babies 6 months & up

*This blog contains affiliate links, please see our disclosure policy for more details.

It’s summertime and guess what… no one wants to have to stay inside when it’s beautiful and sunny out! 

That being said, when you have a BLW baby, sometimes the hassle of figuring out what to feed them while traveling, or on-the-go, seems like it’s more work than it’s worth. But it doesn’t have to be stressful!

I’ve got a list of easy, MINIMAL MESS and portable baby finger food ideas you can pack as a snack, or combine to make meals. Keep reading for 12 easy options for baby led weaning foods while on-the-go!

travel baby food

I know how hard it can be to think of what to feed your baby when traveling, on the road, or out having fun at summer activities. That’s why I came up with this list – I’m all about making things easier for you!

These foods work whether you’re on a plane, at the park, or at a restaurant. While the occasional purée pouch, other store-bought baby food option, or even homemade baby food in a reusable package, will always have its benefits (hellooo convenience and mess-free eating!), packing whole foods means that you don’t have to deal with wrappers and messy containers or utensils. Plus, you’ll be continuing to expose your baby led weaning baby to a variety of real food, real flavors and advanced textures . 

I’m a big proponent of minimizing processed foods for babies (and adults!) as much as possible, as well as keeping those more advanced texture exposures coming. I FULLY understand that it’s hard – time doesn’t allow for it sometimes – and that a bit here and there won’t hurt. 

But helping you keep it top of mind as you navigate this world of feeding your babe is my job, so this list will hopefully help take away the guesswork as to what can fit into this category of foods.

Travel Food for Babies should be mess-free!

travel food ideas for toddlers

The above is definitely not a scenario you want to get stuck in when out and about with your baby! While it’s super cute and funny when it happens at home, this is less than ideal on a plane, or in a restaurant, for example. 

That’s why, in general, most people are looking for mess-free foods (or minimal mess… nothing is really mess-free with baby led weaning ). For this reason, I like to recommend avoiding anything with sauce, that’s in a casserole type format, or anything that requires a utensil unless you’re feeding the baby yourself (and they let you). Think yogurt , applesauce…that type of thing. 

Nothing is more messy than a baby refusing to let you spoon feed them and then dunking their hands into a container of applesauce!

applesauce for baby led weaning babies

And while I know moms love to be prepared for the worst – and often pack more for an outing than is needed. Let’s save those extra clothes for blowouts…those happen when you least expect it and you don’t want to have wasted your spare outfit on a messy meal!

So here’s some examples. If you pack meat, make it plain chicken. If you pack pasta, keep it plain with no sauce to minimize mess. If you pack fruit, opt for a banana or freeze dried varieties over messy ripe berries. That type of thing.

With that being said, here are my go-to baby led weaning travel foods.

The best travel baby food options for baby led weaning

One thing I want to make sure you keep in mind is the age and development of your baby. Some of these options are going to require pincer grasp …so if your baby is just starting out on solid foods, they won’t be ready for these options yet. 

Make sure you choose the options that are in finger shapes so they aren’t struggling to eat, because this will just end in frustration for both of you. If your baby is a bit older and already has their pincer grasp developed, or is practicing it, any of these options will be a good fit!

baby led weaning travel food part one

Boiled Eggs

Keep in a container with an ice pack and feed the baby anywhere! Provides an easy source of protein for babies , and healthy fats .

Cooked Pasta

This is perfect as an easy snack or meal idea on the go. Pair the pasta with cheese or beans for a full meal ! You can also opt to pack pulse based pasta, such as chickpea pasta for an added protein boost on its own.

Nothing beats a food that comes in its own packaging! Need I say more?

Canned Beans or Chickpeas

No need to cook! Just rinse, dump into a container, and go! I like to buy ones that are canned with a BPA free lining, and that have no added salt, especially when offering to babies because we need to be a bit more cautious when it comes to salt for babies (but I don’t want you to panic either, just give them an extra rinse and monitor salt intake over the rest of the day/next day to balance things out).

You may want to slightly smush chickpeas before offering, just to be extra safe. Depending on your baby’s skill level, and how soft they are, they can be a choking hazard .

Shredded Cheese

Cheese is a great source of protein for babies, as well as a good source of fat – both of which babies need for proper growth and development. And as an added bonus, it’s usually a favorite amongst most babies! 

Please note that I’m recommending shredded cheese, not slices. Slices can be a choking hazard for babies, as it can be difficult to cut the cheese in a thin layer so it won’t pose a risk. Therefore, shredded is best, especially in the beginning as you just start baby led weaning. Watch this video below for more info on how to safely prepare cheese for babies.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Edwena 🙋🏻‍♀️| Dietitian & Mom (@mylittleeater)

Freeze Dried Fruit

Like I mentioned above, fruit is a great option, but you’re gonna want to stick with mess-free varieties! 

Freeze-dried berries are an excellent source of vitamin C, and therefore pair nicely with beans to boost iron absorption – something babies need a lot of! And if you pair that with the pasta and shredded cheese, you have all the pieces of my FFP+P rule for a complete, balanced meal that’s perfect for baby led weaning ! 

While freeze-dried berries are great for this, fresh berries are not great from a mess-free perspective. So, freeze-dried fruit for the win! It will literally hold up in any weather (no need to pack a cooler), and is mess-free!

A similar alternative would be to pack yogurt-based melts – they’re typically freeze-dried as well so they’re not messy like packing yogurt would be! Our favorites are the Amara Smoothie Melts. These are actually plant-based, so if your little one has an allergy or sensitivity to dairy these will be perfectly fine for them too. They have no added sugars, fillers, or other additives – just simple, clean ingredients which we love! They come in lots of yummy flavors with various fruits and veggies blended right in and they come in a resealable bag, making them perfect for snacking on the go. Check them out here and use code LITTLEEATER15 for 15% off your purchase.

baby led weaning travel food part two

Baby Led Weaning Toast Strips

Super easy for on-the-go! Just toast bread and cut into thin strips – coat with a bit of butter to soften them up slightly. But, for the sake of mess-free travel foods, avoid things like nut butter or hummus, unless you’re able to wash up somewhere! 

Remember, fresh, untoasted bread is a choking hazard. If you’re looking for more info on toasting bread for your baby and serving it in a safe manner, check out this post all about toast toppings for babies and toddlers .

Roasted Veggies

Sounds complicated, but I’m actually going to suggest that you keep a bunch of these prepped ahead of time for easy meal ideas throughout the week. I personally always keep some on-hand in my fridge for snacks or quick meals. I make a big batch a couple times per week, and pull from it as needed. 

If you’re able to set aside the time to meal prep these (listen to my other fav meal prepping tips here ) then there’s nothing easier than just putting these in a container and offering them to your baby, any time of day. 

Some good veggies to try are bell peppers and zucchini. I’d avoid things like roasted sweet potato because it becomes so mushy that your baby will end up with orange mash all over them!

Baby Pancakes (only 3 ingredients!)

Ok, this one involves some cooking, but I swear it’s easy!

Mix together 1 ripe banana, 2 eggs, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of coconut oil. Scoop batter into a skillet and cook on low-medium heat until lightly brown, flipping once when you can see bubbles along the outer edge. Let them cool, cut into strips, and pack into a container. There you have it – simple, baby banana pancakes for on-the-go!

Fresh Fruit

I know this goes against what I just said above, but hear me out. There are fruits that are less messy that you can bring. Stewed pears or apples would be my top choice – no staining! You can also do kiwi wedges, plums, or oranges. These may be ever so slightly messy in that there may be a bit of fruit juice running on your baby’s hands, but nothing a baby wipe can’t handle.

I stand by my comment that fresh berries are just too messy – mashed bits of berry plus juice that stains…no thanks! But if you’re feeling risky – go for it!

travel food ideas for toddlers

Tofu Strips

Another super simple iron and protein source for your baby! You have two options here… 

  • Pan fry tofu for 1-2 minutes on each side. Include a bit of flavor in there too for your baby, try some turmeric, dill, or paprika. Let cool, and pack in a container to go! 
  • I love using Soyganic smoked tofu as another option – it’s non-gmo, organic and there’s no need to cook it. Just slice it, pack, and go. It doesn’t get any easier than that!

Tofu is my favorite to-go protein! It’s the perfect texture for a baby, no crumbly mess, and offers lots of calcium and protein! Plus, pair it with a fruit high in vitamin C, like some freeze dried strawberries, and you’ve got a great source of iron too!

Thawed Peas (from frozen)

No need to cook these! Just dump some frozen peas into a container and let them thaw out over a couple hours until ready to eat. Plus, the cold peas keep everything else you pack nice and cold too. Fast food at its finest!

And I know what you’re thinking…peas need to be mashed right? No, they don’t. They’re actually not considered a choking hazard because they’re so soft and are so easily mashed in your baby’s mouth. It’s round, hard foods that you want to look out for, think like grapes. But if it makes you feel more comfortable, there’s no harm in giving them a quick squish before offering them to your baby.

Homemade Muffin

travel food ideas for toddlers

One more yummy option is a homemade muffin, or mini muffins, – and I’ve got two ideas for them.

Option 1: Bake a tasty pastry muffin for your baby.

Choose baby led weaning recipes with no honey and no added sugar, besides some fruit. You can even freeze muffins and pull them from the freezer anytime you need one in a jiffy. One of my favorites, that’s popular with toddlers too, are shrek muffins – check out the recipe here .

Option 2: Egg muffins!

These are also great to keep in the freezer and pull out when you need them. I have a recipe available in my 60 Day Baby Led Feeding Meal plan – take a look here to get access to over 80 baby led weaning recipes perfect for your baby and family! Now, with this option you will need to pack those in a cooler, but there’s no mess and tons of nutrition so they make one of the most perfect on-the-go meal ideas !

baby led feeding meal plan

Travel Baby Food: Top Tips

Now that you have some meal ideas for what to feed your baby while on-the-go, let’s go over some of the other important details.

What About Food Safety for Travel Baby Food Options?

While you absolutely need to consider whether a food needs to be kept cold or not, you don’t need to worry about serving it cold or hot. Don’t stress if you can’t heat some of these foods up, room temperature is fine. 

With the exception of maybe the eggs, although I’ve definitely seen toddlers eat eggs at room temperature, as long as you follow food safety rules, they’re fine to eat that way.

Which leads me to my next point. If you’re out for more than 4 hours, or you’re traveling in the heat, make sure you throw an ice pack in your bag to preserve the food for longer. Babies are more susceptible to food borne illnesses, so you don’t want to take any risks with their food, just pack the ice pack (or frozen peas).

How Many Finger Foods to Pack for Baby Led Weaning While Traveling

travel food ideas for toddlers

Something to keep in mind when traveling with a baby led weaning baby (or any day, even at home), is that babies don’t need snacks between 6-10 months of age . After that, they need no more than 1, maybe 2 solid food snacks. 

Check out my schedules for how many meals to offer based on their age, including milk feedings as well, here .

This means that if the time comes and your baby is hungry, breast milk or formula will continue to do the job most times! It may just be main meals, and as mentioned, 1-2 solid food snacks (maybe one mid-morning and one mid-afternoon) that you offer as they get closer and closer to one year of age. 

So, really you don’t need to pack very much, especially if you’re just starting your baby on solids . I’d go with a few pieces of each food that you’re bringing per meal. And remember, if they eat all of it and they still seem hungry – don’t fret! Breast milk or formula can fill in this gap for now. They won’t starve, and it won’t cause any confusion or anything else you may hear – promise.

What to Bring (Besides Travel Baby Food Options)

travel food ideas for toddlers

As much as we prepare for no-mess meal ideas , we also need to prepare for our baby to surprise us and make a mess anyways…it’s just what they do! So make sure you also pack…

  • Bibs – long sleeved ones are the best for keeping clothes clean
  • Baby wipes or washcloths
  • A silicone suction mat (this is helpful to keep food contained as much as possible in one place)
  • Silicone plate with a lid to store all the food – these Bumkins ones are my favorites
  • Travel Booster Seat

Safety Tips When Feeding BLW Baby On-The-Go

baby led weaning travel food safety

Feeding babies comes with a risk no matter where you are, or what type of feeding you’re doing (purées or baby led weaning). 

That being said, when on-the-go, you should be extra careful of choking, especially if your baby is not seated in a proper highchair, or is moving around while eating. Both of which are likely when you’re out and about doing fun things – it happens! 

Here are my major tips to keep in mind…

1. Seat baby in someone else’s lap, if possible.

That’s right, let grandma or grandpa get some snuggles while the baby eats, because choking is usually a silent occurrence. This way, you have the best front view of your baby eating to make sure you catch anything happening right away in case, God forbid, they begin to choke. 

That’s why I recommend having someone else hold them in their lap while you do the feeding, so you can watch them better that way.

It also helps if you’re prepared ahead of time by taking an infant CPR course. Our favorite online option is by Safe Beginnings – it’s taught by a certified instructor and child safety expert, so you’re getting the best info available to be prepared for the worst case scenario. Take 20% off with code MYLITTLEEATER and enroll here !

2. Pull over before feeding in the car.

If required to feed in the car, try and pull over while feeding. Feeding in a car is not my favorite, but I know that sometimes it’s just unavoidable. A moving car is even more of a risk, so if you can, pull over first before offering food. 

Feeding while in a moving car can increase their choking risk as bumps and turns can cause babies to lose control of the food in their mouth making it more likely to become lodged in their throat.

And then you have to find a safe space to pull over to have enough room to perform any kind of maneuver on your baby, which takes up precious time, and that’s not a panic I want you to experience ever.

My second point on this is that I really don’t recommend feeding in a car seat, if at all possible, anyway. Again, your baby is not in the correct position for feeding, they aren’t fully upright. This means that their airway isn’t fully open, which again, can increase their choking risk . 

Instead, try to find a safe place to park where you can get out of the car to stretch your legs, and take your baby out to sit on someone’s lap to feed. At least this way they’re able to sit upright and have an open airway.

3. Avoid feeding in a stroller.

I think we’re seeing a theme here, but again, keep them sitting upright. So if a highchair isn’t available, someone else’s lap is the next best option as opposed to a stroller, car seat, etc.

Ok – there you have it! Keep things simple, remember that fast food can mean simple whole finger foods from home, and enjoy your summer out with your babe!

Want to learn how to feed your baby led weaning baby all these foods mentioned in this post, and more? Check out my Baby Led Feeding online course for a complete walk through on starting solids, including videos that show how to safely serve all foods like a pro!

travel food ideas for toddlers

Pin it to save for later!

baby led weaning travel food

More blogs like this...

How to safely feed your baby while on holidays

How to safely feed your baby while on holidays

A realistic example of the first 7 days of starting solids (+ simple baby meals)

A realistic example of the first 7 days of starting solids (+ simple baby meals)

Best first foods for baby led weaning at 6 months

Best first foods for baby led weaning at 6 months

SHARE THIS POST

travel food ideas for toddlers

meet edwena

Registered pediatric dietitian, mom of two picky-turned-adventurous eater, and the creator of the Texture Timeline™ – an exclusive tool to help move your baby through easy to more advanced purees and finger foods to prevent picky eating.

You may also like...

115 first foods list for baby

Baby's 115 First Foods Checklist

travel food ideas for toddlers

60 Day Baby Led Feeding Meal Plan

MLE app preview

My Little Eater App (for apple/android)

scared to transition to finger foods?

travel food ideas for toddlers

Join the FREE workshop

Baby led weaning...but make it purees!

Get our proven, step-by-step plan for transitioning your baby from Purees to Finger Foods, texture by texture, so you can ease your fears about choking and gagging, all while helping your little eater develop their eating skills and an adventurous appetite.

Plus get The Texture Timeline™ Starter Guide for free when you stay until the end of the workshop. This tool breaks down the 4 phases, what kinds of foods to safely feed your baby during each phase, and when to progress to the next phase.

All-about-bread-3-ovh5eq2teb67hmzz97d35loagwhmoxnrlypd1i26jk (1)

THE COURSES

Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions  | Disclaimer | Disclosure

travel food ideas for toddlers

35 Best Toys and Gifts for 4-Year-Olds

Think of these unique ideas when birthdays or other gift-giving occasions roll around.

the lego disney 100 train and the melissa and doug scissor skills activity pad are good housekeeping picks for the best toys and gifts for 4 year olds

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

"At 4 years old, kids can better distinguish between fantasy and reality, so dress up costumes, puppets and even things like play scarves allow them to pretend and imagine a variety of games," says Jacque Bogdanov, PsyD, child psychologist and founder of ChildBehaviorClinic.com . "Puzzles with greater complexity are appropriate for 4-year-olds as they develop better fine motor skills, coordination and greater problem-solving skills. Construction-type toys, like wooden or foam blocks, larger LEGO sets and magnetic tiles also further encourage problem-solving skills. Play-Doh is another great option as it builds kids’ creativity, as well as finger strength for writing, which they will soon be working on."

The good news is that means there's so much to choose from. The bad news is that means there's so much choice, it can be overwhelming. Luckily, the Good Housekeeping Institute can step in to help. In advance of its yearly Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards , Lab experts evaluate hundreds of toys each year, checking everything from safety to durability to whether a parent might want each toy in their home.

Then the Good Housekeeping Institute passes the toys on to the real experts — actual 4-year-olds — to assess how fun they are to play with, paying particular attention to which toys kids go back to again and again. When the results came in, these were the best toys and gifts to give 4-year-olds in 2024.

Skillmatics Foil Fun

Foil Fun

Kid testers couldn't get enough of this unique art project — testers reported that, at picnics and get-togethers, this brought all the little ones together. Kids rub the foil sheets onto the included puffy stickers and, — like magic — the shiny colors transfer over. The kids can use the stickers to make different animal scenes. Ages 4+

Melissa & Doug Scissor Skills Activity Book

Scissor Skills Activity Book

Being able to use scissors is a sign of kindergarten readiness, and this activity book was designed to help kids learn to use scissors safely . Included in the kit are mazes, puzzles, animal art, sequencing activities and a pair of plastic safety scissors that help build motor and cognitive skills. The best part? It costs less than $10 , so it's great when you need just a little something. Ages 4+

Big Feelings Pineapple

Big Feelings Pineapple

This pineapple isn't just pretty — it's a great tool for social-emotional learning. When kids use the pieces to make a face, they can compare it to a chart of faces to try and identify and name the emotion. Then, they can look in the pineapple-shaped mirror to see how the expression looks on their real face. Parent testers loved how it gave them the chance to help kids learn the names for their feelings. Ages 3+

Learning Resources Coding Critters

Coding Critters

This adorable set is the perfect way to introduce your 4-year-old to coding. Each critter has a set of arrows that help kids "code" its next moves . Kids can follow along with the storybook's directions at first, but they can eventually create their own coding rules for even more fun. There's even a play mode for kids to simply take care of the pets. If they don't like dogs, you can also get the Coding Critters in the shape of a cat , a rabbit or a dinosaur , and Learning Resources also has MagiCoders , which come as a unicorn and a dragon. Ages 4+

VTech Storytime with Sunny

Storytime with Sunny

Its amazing how expressive the face on this story-and-joke telling lamp is, and kids love switching out her disks to hear different stories, jokes and activities. Parents loved that it's actually a working night light and alarm clock, which made it easier to start morning and bedtime routines. Ages 3+

Orboot Earth Augmented Reality Globe

Orboot Earth Augmented Reality Globe

Not only is this interactive toy a Lab favorite, but it's also the best-selling globe on Amazon. At first glance, all kids see is the land masses, with no labels or borders. With the free Orboot App, kids can hover their tablet over different parts of the world and learning various tidbits about different countries (from animals and weather to monuments and more). It's a great introduction to social studies. Ages 4+

How to Count to ONE

How to Count to ONE

This picture book had Good Housekeeping Institute testers laughing and laughing. “There were so many giggles while we were reading it!” one reviewer said. The silly counting book has different fanciful illustrations, but always prompts the reader to find a lone item. For example, on the second page, there's a drawing of two whales, one of which has a sausage riding on its spout. Of course, the book asks, "How many sausages do you see?" The answer? Simple, yet hilarious. Ages 3 – 6

RELATED: Good Housekeeping Best Kids' Book Awards

Playstix Construction Toy

Playstix Construction Toy

If you're looking for a new building set that they might not have a million of already, this one has long, grooved pieces that lock in with each other. The pieces are color-coded by length, so it's easy to follow along with the instructions and see how different models are built. Or, they can use them for open-ended building and can go wherever their imaginations take them. Ages 4+

BumBumz Plush

BumBumz Plush

The adorable shapes of these plushies won over Good Housekeeping testers. They come in sets of five in different themes — from breakfast foods to groovy symbols like lava lamps and peace signs — and they're perfect for any kid with a collection of cute stuffed animals. Ages 3+

Zingo

This fun game helps your kids develop language and word recognition skills thanks to the yellow chips with words and images on them. The red Zinger dispenses the chips, and the players race to fill up their board first. It has two levels of play, so kids can continue to enjoy as they grow older. Ages 4+

Quadrilla 'Race to the Finish' Marble Run

Quadrilla 'Race to the Finish' Marble Run

Since this toy's layout can be moved around plenty of times, there are endless possibilities so your 4-year-old won't get bored. The different colored blocks have various actions, like spins, drops and spiral funnels. If they like it, they can move on to more complex Quadrilla sets . Note: Since this toy uses marbles, it should be kept out of reach of children under 3 years old. Ages 4+

Crayola Light Up Activity Board

Light Up Activity Board

Kids can experiment with mixing colors and combining shapes with this board, which illuminates artwork as they create it. By layering transparency sheets, they can come up with all sorts of designs. In addition to the board, it comes with three markers, 22 shape clings and three “Complete the Scene” transparency sheets. Ages 3+

GeoSafari Jr. Talking Space Explorer

GeoSafari Jr. Talking Space Explorer

Fans of the ever-popular, best-selling GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope can go from looking into inner space to gazing into outer space with this new toy telescope. Kids look with both eyes, so they don't have to try to keep one closed, and when they do, they'll be treated to actual night-sky images from NASA . Then, the voice of Emily Calandrelli from Netflix's Emily's Wonder Lab offers fascinating facts about the images. Ages 4+

Land of Dough 7 oz Cups

7 oz Cups

Each of these cups of dough comes with a whimsical picture and design on top — that kids get to smush together, giving them a satisfying sensory experience. The cup also comes with a lot of dough for their creations (seven ounces is more than you think), along with a wooden scooper to use. Parents liked that Land of Dough kept sustainability in mind when choosing ingredients and packaging materials, but kids loved the smell most of all. Ages 3+

Highlights Jumbo Book of My First Hidden Pictures

Jumbo Book of My First Hidden Pictures

They'll be hard at work hunting — plus doing mazes, drawing pictures, connecting dots and working on other fun activities — with this hidden picture book geared towards younger readers. And it'll last: This one clocks in at more than 250 pages. Ages 3+

LEGO Disney 100 Celebration Train

Disney 100 Celebration Train

Mickey fans young and old will delight in the favorite Disney characters on this LEGO train, including Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Woody, Moana and, of course, Mickey and Minnie themselves. When 4-year-olds snap the 200 pieces together, they can make a parade and feel like they're right on Main Street in Disneyland. Ages 4+

Design & Drill Bolt Buddies Farm

Design & Drill Bolt Buddies Farm

This is an imaginative playset and a STEM construction toy in one! Kids can use a toy, battery-operated drill to put together the farm, including the crops and fences. After they play, they can use the drill to take it all apart again. The farmer is even a screwdriver if the kids want to use that instead of the drill (and get even more practice on their fine motor coordination). You can also get a take-apart tractor to go with it, complete with a farmer and chicken. Ages 3+

Good Housekeeping 123 Cook!

Good Housekeeping 123 Cook!

If the kids dream about competing on Top Chef or The Great British Baking Show , this is the gift for them. It offers 50 easy recipes they can use to get started. In addition to instructions for how to make things like Ooey-Gooey Glazed Cinnamon Rolls or Totally Twisted Pasta with Cherry Tomato Sauce, it also offers tips from Good Housekeeping experts on kitchen tools and techniques. Once they've mastered these, they can move on to Good Housekeeping Kids Cook! Ages 4+

Sink N’ Sand Game

Sink N’ Sand Game

Kid testers loved that this board game uses Kinetic Sand as part of the gameplay: At first, the colorful sticks hold up. But, as the game goes on, players remove the sticks and the pieces go tumbling to the bottom level. Parent testers were pretty amazed at how long the sand stays up too. Ages 4+

Micro Kickboard Mini Deluxe Eco Scooter

Mini Deluxe Eco Scooter

Good Housekeeping Institute experts appreciated the stability of Micro's three-wheeled scooters, along with the way the height can adjust as kids grow. Parents might also appreciate that the "Eco" version uses components created from recycled ocean plastic. The Mini Deluxe is for kids ages 2 – 5, but if you want to go bigger, the three-wheeled Maxi Deluxe Eco ($150) is for kids ages 5 – 12, so it'll last them into the tween years. Ages 2+

RELATED: The Best Scooters for Kids

Headshot of Marisa LaScala

Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother . She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.

Headshot of Rachel Rothman

Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years , overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems. 

preview for Featured Videos From Good Housekeeping US

@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-o9j0dn:before{margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;color:#ffffff;width:1.25rem;bottom:-0.2rem;height:1.25rem;content:'_';display:inline-block;position:relative;line-height:1;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} Product Reviews

gifts for 4 year olds

The Best Period Swimsuits

at home laser hair removal

The 10 Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices

best treadmills 2024

The 5 Best Treadmills for Your Home Gym

best electric kitchen composters

The Best Electric Composters

best mineral sunscreens

The Best Mineral Sunscreens

5 best cheap vacuum cleaners

The Best Cheap Vacuum Cleaners Under $150

matcha green tea set on a gray concrete background for best matcha powders

The Best Matcha Powders

woman holding up red light mask to face

The Best At-Home Red Light Therapy Devices

best innerspring mattresses

The Best Innerspring Mattresses

the best cooling pajamas

The Best Cooling Pajamas

gifts for 3 year olds

The Best Gifts for 3-Year-Old Girls

COMMENTS

  1. How to Eat Well While Traveling With Toddlers

    Tip #2: Plan Lunch Breaks on Travel Days. This sometimes isn't possible, but when it is, I try to plan ahead for an interesting lunch break. If on a road trip, this is usually a park with a playground so we can eat outside (weather permitting) and run around for a bit. It could also be a stop at a grocery store with a good prepared foods ...

  2. Travel Foods For Babies and Toddlers: 8 Helpful Tips

    Opt for cooked and suitable meals. Prioritize the well-being of your little one by following travel foods for babies. 2. Along with raw foods, you should also avoid dishes with raw ingredients like mayonnaise, souffle, sushi etc. 3. Always try to go for steamed foods - steamed rice, steamed idlis and cooked vegetables.

  3. 60 Travel Friendly (and TSA Friendly) Healthy Toddler Foods

    Raspberries (in a container) Whole Wheat Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. Sliced Strawberries. Whole Wheat Bread. Carrots and Ranch Dip. Salsa and Tortilla Chips. Quesadilla (kids won't care that it's cold) Pizza slices (again kids won't care that it's cold) Turkey Sandwich.

  4. 40 Easy Road Trip Snacks for Toddlers • Family Travel Tips

    raisins. fruit pouches eg Ella's Kitchen, GoGo Squeez. Ella's Kitchen nibbly fingers. Organix range of toddler snacks. pretzels. banana bread. jerky. toddler trail mix (dried cereal, m&m's, raisins, Cheerios etc) These are great fun road trip snacks for kids! cheerios and strawberry laces - these make a good car snack for toddlers as ...

  5. The Best Toddler Travel Snacks: That are Easy to Pack!

    Some easy dinner ideas for travel food for toddlers that we use often are: Scrambled eggs with steamed vegetables on the side; Pasta with sausage and vegetables; Cheese quesadillas with avocado on the side; For lunches, sandwiches were always the easiest go to if we didn't plan on eating out. We don't have any allergies to contend with, so ...

  6. Ultimate Guide to Packing Travel Food

    Review airline and TSA food rules if flying. Pack water in a water bottle to keep the kids hydrated. For adults, some easy travel foods or road trip foods can include almonds, Greek yogurt, beef jerky, nut butters in pouches, carrot and celery sticks, dark chocolate, chips, turkey and cheese, and more.

  7. 50 Easy Road Trip Snacks to Share with the Kids

    3 Road Trip Snacks for Kids. 4 Snack Bars. 5 Crackers, Puffs, and Cereal. 6 Easy Muffins to Pack. 7 Less-Messy Fruit and Veggies to Pack. 8 Easy Proteins and Lunch Ideas to Pack. 9 Favorite Road Trip Food for Adults. 10 10 Tips for Happy Kids on Road Trips. 11 Best Tips for Road Trip Food.

  8. 60 Best Airplane Snacks For Toddlers: Happy Travel With Kids

    Snap peas - crispy and nutritious. Sunflower seeds (shell-free) - for a bit of texture. Mini bagels - a filling option. Seed crackers - packed with nutrients. Sugar-free gelatin cups - wobbly and fun. Plain yogurt in spill-proof containers - for a dose of probiotics. Applesauce pouches - no spoon needed.

  9. Healthy Travel Food Ideas (to share with babies and toddlers)

    Anything liquid or spreadable (e.g. yogurt, milk, juice, hummus, sunflower butter) - Make sure it follows the 3-1-1 rule : Transfer each item to a 3.4 ounce or less container and place in a clear 1 quart sized bag. Each passenger gets 1 bag. Here's how to travel with baby food, breast milk, and formula.

  10. 45 Healthy Road Trip Snacks for Kids & Toddlers

    Ham Roll-Ups (cream cheese middle) Hard-boiled eggs. Crackers with cheese or peanut butter. Tuna Salad with Greek Yogurt. Chicken Salad. Fruit Salad. Carrot Sticks with Peanut Butter. Here are some of my favorite Healthy Toddler Lunch Ideas including packable ideas that may work for your road trip!

  11. 80+ Healthy Road Trip Snacks For Kids And Toddlers

    Celery sticks - great with nut butter! Carrot sticks or baby carrots. Snap peas. Halved cherry tomatoes. Broccoli florets - you can serve these raw or steam them for toddlers. Bell peppers - sliced and served with hummus or yogurt dip. Cauliflower florets - raw or steamed for toddler road trip snacks.

  12. 50 Kid-Friendly Airplane Snacks

    Pack snacks you know your family likes to eat already, so you aren't in a situation where your child rejects the choices and is hungry or cranky. Familiar foods are also a safer bet, as you know they won't do something like upset a sensitive toddler tummy. 5. Pack Plenty of Peanut-Free Choices.

  13. The Ultimate List of Toddler Travel Essentials (+Toddler Packing List

    Travel car seat. A car seat is typically going to be one of your toddler travel essentials, barring a few locations where you can get by just using public transportation. But if you're planning on getting around by car, you'll want a car seat to keep your little one safe. Strapped in their car seat is also the safest way for toddlers to fly ...

  14. 75 Healthy Travel Snacks For Kids

    It's one of the first things I learned after going on road trips that kids need a lot of snacks. Whether they're toddlers or school aged kids, they always ne...

  15. 42 Dietitian Approved Road Trip Snacks for Kids

    Honestly, Crunchy Roasted Edemame Beans might just be one of the best on the go snacks you could include on your list of road trip snacks for kids. They have 11 grams of protein (11 GRAMS!), 4 grams of fiber and 1 mg of iron. If your kids enjoy a crunchy snack, these are a great option to include variety.

  16. The Best Road Trip Food: 101+ Easy Meal & Snack Ideas You'll Love!

    The Reality and Practicality of Road Trip Food. Now, let's be real. It isn't possible for all of the healthy road trip snacks and food you bring to be homemade, especially if, say, you are going on a 10-day Midwest road trip.. That's a long time and a lot of food to pack for a road trip.

  17. Best Toddler Food for Travel: Make Roadtrips and Plane Travel a Breeze

    Cut up fruit and veggies- since you can't take sharp objects on the plane make sure you cut up any fruit or veggies as you pack them away. Fruits that hold up well: kiwi, oranges, sliced grapes, Veggies that hold up well: broccoli, celery, carrots, bell peppers. Snack items - pretzels, goldfish, raisins, and cereals are great small pack ...

  18. Baby and Toddler Foods To Carry & Avoid While Travelling

    There are various baby food premixes that are easily available and travel-friendly. 2. Milk. This is a complete food for babies and toddlers, due to the rich nutrients it contains. You can rely on breastfeeding the baby if you are travelling in a private vehicle, but it can be an issue in public places.

  19. Top 12 Travel Foods for Babies And Toddlers

    Photo by freestocks-photos via Pixabay. Contents [ hide] 1 Breast or formula milk. 2 Flavoured yoghurt. 3 Scrambled eggs. 4 Fruits. 5 Fruit or veggie puree. 6 Mini muffins or cakes. 7 Cracker sandwich with peanut butter and jelly.

  20. 15+ Kids Travel Food Ideas

    So sharing here a list of 15+ Kids Travel Food Ideas. Get the list of recipes below: Harini from Tamalapaku made this. Pasta Sandwich. Minapa-rotte. Nutmeg Chocolate Chip Cookies. I loved Harini's idea of adding 2 kids favorite Pasta and bread into one. Priya from I Camp in my Kitchen made this. Roasted Phool Makhana, Roasted Foxnuts, (A ...

  21. 75+ Easy Toddler Food Ideas

    75+ Easy, Wholesome Food Ideas for Toddlers & Preschoolers. Meghan was the Food Editor for Kitchn's Skills content. She's a master of everyday baking, family cooking, and harnessing good light. Meghan approaches food with an eye towards budgeting — both time and money — and having fun. Meghan has a baking and pastry degree, and spent the ...

  22. 75 Toddler Meals (Healthy + Easy Recipes)

    Here you will find real-life toddler meal ideas, over 100 toddler snack ideas, great hidden-veggie recipes, 50 cooking with toddler recipes, and so much more! For even more toddler-friendly recipes, be sure to check out my best-selling cookbook: Little Foodies: Recipes for Babies and Toddlers with Taste .

  23. Easy and practical baby led weaning travel food ideas for babies 6

    Baby Pancakes (only 3 ingredients!) Ok, this one involves some cooking, but I swear it's easy! Mix together 1 ripe banana, 2 eggs, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of coconut oil. Scoop batter into a skillet and cook on low-medium heat until lightly brown, flipping once when you can see bubbles along the outer edge.

  24. Traveling With Baby Food • Ideas • Packing Tips & Rules

    Yes, you can bring baby food on planes. If it is in your hand luggage and it is for your baby on the flight, then it is NOT subject to the 100ml/3-1-1 liquid rule set by individual countries. This includes water, breast milk, powdered milk, baby food pouches and jars.TSA state, "Baby food is allowed in reasonable quantities in carry-on bags.

  25. 35 Best Toys and Gifts for 4-Year-Olds

    When the results came in, these were the best toys and gifts to give 4-year-olds in 2023. Melissa & Doug Scissor Skills Activity Book, $8 at amazon.com. How to Count to ONE Picture Book, $17 at ...