Road Trip Snacks to Pack for the Family

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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