If you’ve ever taken a road trip with your kids, you know just how important snacks can be!
They’ll give you a few wonderful moments of peace from the chorus of “are we there yet?” and “I’m bored.” And if your kids are still fairly young, they could mean the difference between a smooth trip and a complete disaster.
With that in mind and in preparation for our own family road trip later this year, we’ve put together our list of the 10 best road trip snacks and today, we’re sharing it with you!
Of course, one of the biggest issues when preparing snacks for a road trip is to make sure that they are portable. Rather than spend a ton of money on already packaged single serving snacks, buy the regular sized versions along with some small Ziploc bags from your local dollar store and section them out yourself. You’ll save yourself a huge headache in the car and a ton of money in the long run!
Fresh Fruits
Things grapes, blueberries, pre-peeled oranges, and sliced apples make fantastic quick snacks for the road (as long as your children are old enough to chew them!) If you’ve got the space in your car, pack these, along with a few drinks, into a small cooler and you’re ready to go!
Dried Fruits
These are great for those times when cooler space is at a premium. They fit perfectly into snack sized sandwich bags and still provide a fantastic nutritious boost during your travels. They also make a great side item if you’re stopping somewhere for a picnic. Everything from cranberries and raisins to dried apricots and mango. Looking for something a little extra special? Try making your own fruit leather! It’s fun for the kids and won’t take you much time at all!
Pretzels
What can I say about these? 🙂 They make a great snack all on their own and are great for munching on in between pit stops.
String Cheese
Cheese makes a great travel snack if you’re taking along a small cooler. Pre-packaged string cheese is super easy to both store and eat but you could also try buying a block of cheese and cutting it into cubes. They’re easy for small fingers to grasp and fit perfectly in sandwich bags.
Cereal
It’s not just for breakfast time! Even if your kids are older, dry cereal can still make a great travel snack. Just pick up a box or two of your family’s favorite cereals and portion them out for the road!
Crackers
It just wouldn’t be a list of snacks without mentioning crackers! Everything from saltines to Goldfish crackers are perfect for kids and even for a quick snack for mom and dad. Since they don’t need to be kept cold, they are also great for taking along with you as you explore destinations on your trip. Going on a hike or walking around an amusement park? Crackers are the perfect take along!
Veggies
If your kids are old enough, pack a few small bags of carrot sticks or celery stalks. They’re great by themselves or fantastic paired with ranch or peanut butter, which are easily stored in small tupperware. As long as your kids are old enough to avoid a super sticky mess, these are great.
Animal Crackers
Animal crackers or other homemade cookies are another super quick and easy option. They won’t make a huge mess and you could easily store some in the backseat with your kids so they can grab them all on their own.
Beef Jerky
For a more substantial snack, or maybe something to keep mom and dad’s energy levels up, beef jerky is a fantastic option. Packed with protein, it will fill you up a bit more than most other snacks and will help ward off those midday mealtime meltdowns.
Nature Valley Simple Nut Bars
If you’re looking for simple and nutritious, it doesn’t get much better than this! With just 7 wholesome ingredients and 2 delicious new flavors, Almond Cashew Sea Salt and Roasted Peanut and Honey, Nature Valley Simple Nut Bars are a quick and easy snack that the entire family is going to love!
The best part? No refrigeration required! Just head to your local Publix, grab a box, and keep them in your purse, your backpack, even your car! Just grab them and go knowing that you have a nutritious and delicious snack ready when you are!
And no time like the present right?! Grab this coupon for $0.75 off 1 box of Nature Valley Simple Nut Bars and try them out today and enter below for your chance to win $15 PayPal cash so that you can stock up on your favorite flavor!