Keeping your little travelers from getting hangry

Air travel with kids can be a challenging and overwhelming experience. The combination of confined spaces, unfamiliar surroundings, and disrupted routines can easily lead to boredom and restlessness. Keeping your kids fed will be helpful in preventing them from becoming hangry. This is where the power of snacks comes in. In this blog post, let’s explore some of the best snacks for kids on an airplane.

1. Healthy & fresh options

We prefer our kids to eat healthy while traveling, although this is not always easy. Providing nutritious snacks keeps their bodies fueled and helps prevent sugar crashes. Here are some healthy options to consider:

• Fresh fruits: Pack easy-to-eat fruits like strawberries or apple slices in small containers or zip lock bags. Our kids find them tasty and refreshing.
  
  
• Cut vegetables: Carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and bell pepper strips are a great option. You can cut them into fun shapes for greater appeal.
• Cheese sticks: individually wrapped pieces of string cheese or sticks. They are very convenient and easy to carry. They make a perfect snack choice for little hands. We like the mozzarella kind. 

2. Non-perishable Snacks

The downside of some of the healthy options is that they require refrigeration. Here are some non-perishable options that are suitable for longer flights:

• Apple sauces or other fruit/vegetable blends. We get some of our favorite kinds at Costco: GoGo SqueeZ & Brainiac foods.
  
  
• Granola bars: Look for options that are individually wrapped and easily fit into a carry-on bag. We like these granola minis that are bite size and so much easier than a full-size bar.
  
  
• Trail mix: Create a custom blend of nuts, dried fruits, and a few chocolate chips for a sweet treat with a healthy twist. The combination of protein, fiber, and healthy fats in nuts will help keep hunger at bay.

3. Easy-to-Eat Finger Foods

Finger foods are perfect for kids on the go. They are easy to eat, require minimal effort, and allow little ones to maintain their independence during the flight. Here are some suggestions:

• Fruit snacks: there are plenty of options here, but we like the ones from Solely. The mange flavor is a big hit in our family.
• Crackers: Choose whole-grain crackers that are not too messy or crumbly. We tend to prepare small zip lock bags. They are so easy to prep and our kids love it.
• Mini sandwiches: Prepare bite-sized sandwiches by using small bread rolls or cutting larger sandwiches into smaller halves. We like also like cutting up baguettes into small size and filling them with options like cheese or turkey.

Traveling with kids can be a rollercoaster and it helps to have the right snacks. It isn’t a surefire way to strive off tantrums, but it can certainly be a big help. What are your favorite snacks to bring for kids on a long plane ride? We would love to hear about your ideas and experiences in the comments below!

Happy kids, happy trips!

Ashley