This list of snacks is full of healthy, portable, and mess-free choices for travel days with your baby or toddler.
If you’re going to be going on a trip with a toddler or baby soon, I probably don’t need to tell you how important it is to be prepared with snacks.
All the snacks.
Whenever other parents ask advice for flying with young children, one of my top tips is “don’t skimp on the snacks!”.
Sure, you can grab food at the airport, and on the flight you’ll likely get some cookies or pretzels.
But trust me when I say you’ll want to be prepared for all the in-between moments with healthy foods you know your little one loves.
But what kinds of food make good travel snacks for babies or toddlers?
How much should you bring?
And what about food when you arrive at your destination?
We’re about to dive into all of that (and more!).
Our favorite travel snacks
Here’s our go-to list of our favorite travel snacks for our toddler:
Toddler & Baby Travel Snacks Guide
Our experience
Before our daughter turned 3 years old, we had been on well over 60 flights with her and had traveled to 15 countries.
We’ve experimented with all different types of foods and snacks for our travel days, and can’t wait to share what we’ve learned with you!
Psst! You can read our full story and browse all our Family Travel articles here.
What to consider when choosing foods to bring on an airplane
When choosing foods to bring along on your travels, there are some handy things to keep in mind.
Choose things that won’t make a mess
You don’t want to choose snacks that will leave a trail of crumbs or cover your child’s face in sauce or their hands in a sticky mess. Aim for portable foods that create as little mess as possible.
Things that don’t require refrigeration
Choose foods and snacks that won’t spoil or go bad if they’re not kept cold.
There are a few things, like string cheese or quesadilla strips, that we often bring knowing our child will eat it within the first few hours of our travels.
However, we wouldn’t pack more than we’d need for the plane ride.
Avoid foods you need to heat up
Similarly, avoid foods that you need to heat up.
Healthy & well-rounded
While it can be tempting to pack all sorts of “fun foods”, trust me when I say your child (and you!) will be happier if they are fully satiated and don’t have a sugar crash.
This doesn’t mean no sugar, but try to make sure you’re satisfying their nutritional needs and have a combination of healthy fats, protein, and carbs.
Example: Pairing a fruit with string cheese is a good way for them to have a well-rounded snack.
Items you know they like
Choose safe foods that you know your child likes so you don’t have any struggles on the flight.
Age appropriate
Make sure the foods you’re choosing are appropriate for their age and development. Also, be sure to prepare them accordingly (like slicing grapes) to avoid choking hazards.
Pack more than you’d think
I don’t know why, but our daughter always seems to eat more on travel days, so it’s a good thing I’m an overpacker when it comes to food. This is also helpful in case of a delayed flight when you’re stuck on the tarmac.
I will add that while you want to pack enough, you don’t necessarily need to go overboard on food as you’ll be able to stock up at your destination. (More on that later!)
Bring a variety
Having lots of different options to offer your child will be super handy. Trust me! Bring lots to choose from.
Keep at least one high-value treat stashed away
It can be a good idea to have a high-value treat, like a lollipop or a cookie, stashed away just in case you feel like it is necessary. It can be a good bargaining tool, but I’d advise you to keep it hidden unless absolutely necessary.
Tip: We haven’t given our daughter lollipops yet, but this brand or this one look like decent options for children.
Travel snacks for toddlers
With the exception of a few items on this list, most of these foods are ones you can easily grab and go and don’t need to do much for preparation.
You know your child best, including what foods they like, any dietary restrictions they may have, and what they’re able to eat (according to their age and development).
This is simply a list to help you start brainstorming.
1. String cheese
This is a good pick for flights as it has protein and fat. Plus, they’re not messy, they occupy kiddos for a while, and they do well out of the refrigerator for a while.
I would only bring one or two for the flight, but not more than that since they won’t stay good out of the fridge forever.
2. Puffs
This is a travel staple for us and has worked well when our daughter was very young well into toddler-hood. Heck, I even love some of these puffs!
While not as nutritionally-packed as some other snacks on this list, it’s hard to beat how portable and mess-free they are. Plus, just about every kid I know loves puffs in some form or another!
Here are some of the different types of puffs and crisps we love (for different reasons):
- Chickpea puffs (Hippeas)
- Snap Pea crisps
- Annie’s Cheddar Cheesy Smiles
- Bamba puffed peanut snacks (Trader Joe’s has a store brand version)
- Veggie straws
Insider tip: Don’t forget to bring a snack catcher cup to ensure this really is a mess-free snack!
3. Yogurt or smoothie melts
These melt-in-your-mouth treats were a favorite of our daughter when she was first getting used to solid foods. They are portable and lightweight, making them perfect for travel.
→ Where to buy: We like the Amara brand (you can find them at Costco) because they are organic, have no added sugar, and include veggies.
4. Nut butter packs
This can be a good choice because they pack in a lot of protein & healthy fats, and are usually a hit with children.
I like to pair these with fruit or crackers.
→ Where to buy: I like Justin’s brand and I usually buy them at Target.
5. Edamame
Our daughter is obsessed with edamame and it can be a good travel snack as it keeps her busy while eating. They also have quite a bit of protein, which is a win.
Just be sure you have a bag for the skins. Or you could serve them shelled, but half of our daughter’s love for them is peeling them herself, so she wouldn’t be fooled by this!
6. Freeze dried strawberries
These are a huge hit for our daughter and work well even with younger kids since they more or less melt in your mouth.
There are lots of different types of freeze dried fruits, so see what your child likes best.
Dried fruits contain a lot of natural sugar, so I usually try to pair it with a healthy fat and/or protein.
→ Where to buy: We get the freeze dried strawberries from Trader Joe’s.
7. Dried mangoes & dates
I’d like to think these are a better option than fruit snacks, and our toddler loves both dried mangoes and dates! Plus, they travel really well.
→ Where to buy: We get the big bag of organic dried mangoes (no sugar added) at Costco. Same for organic dates.
8. Pouches
Puree pouches are an easy go-to, not just for the travel day but to keep in your bag for later on in your trip when your kiddo inevitably gets hungry at the most inconvenient time.
This is a great choice for both teeny babes that are just starting solids as well as toddlers, and they travel really well.
There are so many good brands out there, and we’ve tried a bunch. We liked the Serenity Kids brand when our daughter was really young so she could get things other than fruits.
Insider tip: Use a control valve top to minimize messes.
→ Where to buy: As she has gotten older, we often get the Costco brand one that is a blend of fruit and veggie, but her favorite is the blackberry pouch from Mama Chia, which we can sometimes find at Costco.
Good to know: You can fly with pouches in your carry-on (in excess of the 3.4-oz rule), as they are considered necessary food for your child. Put these in a bag so you can easily take them out during airport security screening. Jump down to learn more about what you can and cannot bring on the airplane.
9. Yogurt tubes
In theory, I like this idea but we haven’t tried it (yet). It’s actually the only snack on the list we haven’t personally traveled with, mostly because I don’t love the ingredients in most kids’ yogurts.
The Stonyfield brand seems like a good choice and it could be a treat you know they’ll love with some protein and healthy fat.
Tip: Freeze it, and it will thaw as the day goes on.
10. Crackers
Bring your child’s favorite crackers. Here are some we personally like:
Savory:
- Simple Mills almond flour crackers (we get them at Costco)
- Made Good star puffed crackers (we get them at Target)
Sweet:
- Sweet Thins from Simple Mills which are gluten free and packed with lots of good stuff. (We get them at Costco.)
- Graham crackers or Annie’s Bunny Grahams
11. Single serving olive packs
While it packs a punch of sodium (so this one is more for older kiddos), olives have healthy fat and can be a good snack. Our daughter definitely approves!
→ Where to buy: We get the single serving green olives in pouches from Trader Joe’s.
12. Fresh fruit
This will look different depending on your child’s age and what fruits they like, but here are some fruits that work well for our daughter:
- mix of fresh berries
- apple (she likes to eat it whole)
- clementines
- banana (we typically only bring one that we offer right away because they get bruised and easily squished)
Tip: Make sure you’re serving the fruit appropriately according to their age, like slicing grapes if needed.
13. That’s It Mini Fruit Bars
We love these because they’re just 2 ingredients (aka dried fruits). We get these from Costco. Alternatively, there are many great brands of fruit leathers that are very similar.
These are a wonderful choice for bringing extras as snacks for later on your trip because they are portable and won’t go bad.
→ Where to buy: We buy these at Costco.
14. Mini RX bars
I personally love RX Bars for myself because of their clean ingredients, so I was happy to find that they sell mini versions of them.
Our daughter really likes them and they feel like a treat, but I still feel good knowing that she’s getting some protein and they don’t have refined sugar.
→ Where to buy: We buy a box of mini ones at Target and we get the full sized version at Costco.
15. Beef sticks
This is a great way to make sure your little one is getting enough protein, as many other snacks don’t have nearly enough.
We like the mini versions from Chomps or Archer Provisions.
→ Where to buy: We get these at Costco.
Insider tip: If traveling outside your home country, be sure you know if you can bring meat into the destination you’re traveling to, as this is often not allowed. You can still bring these along for the flight but you must consume it before you go through customs upon arrival.
16. Nori sheets (seaweed)
These seaweed sheets are packed with vitamins and minerals, and they travel well.
Our daughter loves these, but I’d recommend testing them out with your kiddo first and seeing if they are a fan. I know they might not be for all little tastebuds.
→ Where to buy: In the international section of most grocery stores; we get a big pack from Costco.
17. Muffins
Make your own in advance or get premade ones for an easy travel snack.
I’ve made each of these for travel days:
- GF Vegan Blueberry Muffins (refined sugar free)
- Pumpkin Protein Muffins
18. Energy Balls
This is a treat that your toddler will love and you’ll feel good about giving them. It tastes super yummy but you can pack it with nutritious ingredients like flax, hemp hearts, chia, dates, nut butter, oats, or whatever you’d like to include!
The great thing about energy balls is you can prioritize the ingredients you want your child to have and leave out the rest.
I love experimenting with making my own energy balls. There are tons of recipes out there, and I change it up a lot but this is a pretty good standard recipe to start with.
19. Trail mix
This can be a good snack for older toddlers (who can safely eat nuts) as well as parents. I prefer making my own mix, but there are lots of ready-to-go options on the store shelves as well.
I love mixing dark chocolate chips, dried cherries, almonds, honey roasted peanuts, cashews, and pumpkin seeds for the ultimate snack!
→ Where to buy: If you want pre-made trail mix, Trader Joe’s and Target both have lots of options.
20. Pita bites & hummus
Hummus packs a good punch of protein and can travel well (to an extent). Grab a single serving container of it or put it in a small container, like these.
Pair it with pita bites, pretzels, or veggies.
21. Fresh veggie sticks
Depending on the age of your child, you may want to pack a small bag of veggie sticks, like carrots, cucumbers, jicama, snap peas, cherry tomatoes, etc.
I usually pack a bunch for myself on a flight day and offer some to our daughter.
22. 2-ingredient “pancakes”
This was the snack I made most often for our daughter when she was first starting solid foods, and I continue to make it every once in a while to this day.
It’s healthy, it travels well, she loves it, and I can switch up the recipe a bit if I’m feeling like it.
The recipe is incredibly simple:
Mash one banana and add one egg. Mix until blended, then cook as you would pancakes in an oiled skillet (I prefer coconut oil or butter when possible).
You can add more ingredients too:
- tablespoon of almond butter for added protein
- tablespoon of ground flaxseed
- dash of cinnamon
Good to know: This is a snack that you’ll only want to bring enough for the travel day, as it will eventually need to be refrigerated.
Another added bonus is that bananas and eggs can be found just about anywhere in the world. So I often make this at our accommodation once we get to our destination so we can have it on hand.
23. Sandwiches
You can make mini sandwiches for the flight and cut them into small triangles for easy eating.
Use any ingredients your toddler likes.
Here’s one of my favorite combinations:
Wholegrain bread + almond butter mixed with coconut oil and cinnamon + smashed raspberries + sliced bananas.
24. Quesadilla slices
For a savory snack or meal, you can make quesadillas ahead of time, cut them into strips and pack them in a small bag.
Our daughter likes them just fine cold, so these work well for us on travel days.
25. Roasted sweet potato wedges
If we’re headed on a long-haul travel day and I want to be sure our child gets wholesome foods, I’ll often put a handful of roasted sweet potatoes into a small bag. (I only pack as much as she’ll eat in one day, since this won’t save well.)
Our daughter loves sweet potatoes warm or cold, plus they’re relatively mess-free, so this hearty and nutritious travel snack is a winner for us.
26. Toddler charcuterie
Making their own little cracker sandwiches can be a fun way for your toddler to stay occupied… kind of like Lunchables! And since you’re making this yourself you can ensure it’s a little healthier than the 90s version we grew up with.
Include things like crackers, cheese slices, and deli meat. I’d caution you against packing more than they’ll eat at one sitting (since the meat and cheese won’t keep long).
Also, while it can be tempting to pack it in a cute bento box, I’d only do this if you plan to use it later on in your trip, as these can be really bulky.
TSA rules
If you’ve been on an airplane in the last couple decades, you’ll be familiar with the 3-1-1 rule, which states that all liquids in your carryon must be 3.4 oz or less, with a total volume of 1 quart or less, and each passenger is allowed 1 quart-sized liquids bag.
The good news is that the following items are exempt from this rule:
- formula
- breast milk
- toddler drinks
- baby/toddler food, including puree pouches
To help expedite the screening process, pack all the above liquids together and keep them separate from your 1-quart liquids bag. Remove both bags from your carryon for screening.
Ice packs are allowed but should be fully frozen. If they are melted or slushy, they may need to undergo additional screening. For this reason, try to ensure they are solid when you are leaving home.
The TSA agents should not need to open any breastmilk bags or bottles, but they may need to swipe the outside. Be sure to give yourself extra time to get through security if you’re traveling with these items.
Insider Tip: We’ve never had any security problems when flying with breastmilk (even when flying out of Mexico without our baby). That said, there are some stories out there where security agents aren’t familiar with the process. It made me feel better to have a screenshot on my phone from the TSA website with the rules.
What to pack
In addition to the snacks themselves, here are some other items you’ll want to consider packing.
Airplane snack essentials
When packing snacks for a flight with your toddler, don’t forget to bring these essentials too!
- Wipes: ‘Nuff said.
- Bag for trash: Having a small trash bag handy will be nice so you don’t have to stash your wrappers, orange peels, or edamame skins in the airplane’s seat pocket!
- Containers that aren’t too bulky: It can be easy to get carried away by putting your child’s food in cute containers, but you’ll be stuck lugging these around for your entire trip, so make sure you go somewhat minimal and choose something you’ll actually use after the flight.
- Reusable baggies: We like reusable baggies (like these or these) and produce bags for snacks over containers most of the time since they are much lighter weight and pack up better.
- Immunity spray: In addition to food, we also like to keep an immunity booster on us, like elderberry drops (which you can add to your child’s water), or this propolis throat spray. This can help their little immune systems, as they are exposed to all sorts of other people and germs. Just be sure you read the instructions and only give it to children who are old enough.
Containers
- A snack catcher cup is a good item to bring for puffs, melts, and crackers, and we use it not just on the airplane, but in our destination as well.
- When our daughter was young, we attached it to her stroller using a tether so she wouldn’t drop it.
- If you’re bringing pouches, consider throwing in a control valve top to minimize spills. This worked for our daughter when she was younger, but she eventually learned how to take it off. By that point, she wasn’t really making a mess with pouches anyway!
- Carry a bottle for water on the flight and at your destination. We usually bring this bottle for water. We’ve had it for years and it works great, with no leaking.
- If your child drinks milk, you may want to bring another cup for that purpose. We love this straw bottle because it doesn’t leak!
- Tip: If you’re bringing it on the flight, you may want to unscrew it or leave it empty for takeoff to account for the pressure.
Eating at your destination
There are a few more things you may want to pack in your bags to be used in your destination.
Whether these are necessary really depends on what type of trip you’re taking and if your accommodation will provide some of these items.
- Bib: Depending on their age, your child may or may not need a bib; choose one that packs up well
- Splash mat: We used this all the time when our daughter was first eating solids. It was so helpful knowing she could get messy without staining furniture!
- Travel high chair: To be honest, I think this is only worth packing on some types of trips (where you won’t be moving around much) because it is pretty bulky. We’ve packed it when renting campervans so our daughter could have her own seat while eating.
- Utensils: We like carrying toddler cutlery in our diaper bag for all the times we end up at restaurants where there’s no small utensils.
- Plate or bowl: Similar to utensils, we often pack a silicone plate or bowl (no need for both) so we can feed our daughter at restaurants without worrying about breaking the dishes. (We rarely order kids’ meals, and instead share our food with her.)
Pack extra snacks!
We usually pack extra snacks from the list above in our checked bag (ones that don’t need refrigeration) so we have enough to get us through part of our trip.
It’s a balance, because you don’t want to go overboard on bringing food, but you’ll at least want a small stash to get you through the first few days.
Sure, you can find snacks in your final destination, but we do like to keep some familiar items on hand for a couple of reasons:
- So we don’t have to search high and low for food when she gets hangry on Day 2
- It’s nice to have something familiar when all your surroundings are unfamiliar
- In some parts of the world, it can be hard finding snacks that have the ingredients you like.
- For example, when we were in Japan, we found it hard to find any type of pouch that wasn’t full of sugar.
Bonus: After your child finishes all the extra snacks you brought, you’ll have room in your suitcase for souvenirs!
Making meals for your toddler in your destination
Alright, so you’ve got a list of snacks, but what about meals in your destination?
Personally, we try to eat local as much as possible and our daughter has done really well with this overall.
That said, we have a few go-to recipes we can make pretty much anywhere. When it aligns with our travel plans, we like to rent Airbnbs with kitchens.
This comes in handy for a few reasons:
- We have more control over what our toddler is eating. This was especially important to us when we started introducing solid foods.
- On longer trips, we don’t love having to eat out for every meal.
- We’re not always able to get to a restaurant when our daughter starts getting hungry, so it’s nice to have some wholesome things we can carry with us throughout the day.
- Depending on where we are in the world, it can be nice having some familiar dishes to offer.
- We can be prepared with solid breakfasts in the morning without having to leave our accommodation.
Below are a few of our go-to recipes we make for our toddler no matter where we are in the world.
I specifically chose dishes that use few ingredients that are easy to find in most places around the world, as well as dishes that don’t require complex cooking equipment.
Banana & egg pancakes
Mash one ripe banana then add one egg. Mix until combined into a batter. Pour this in a skillet with oil (I prefer coconut oil), and cook on both sides, like a pancake.
I like to add a little nut butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon if I have access.
Insider tip: Pack nut butter packets like these to be able to easily add it to different meals. That way, you don’t need to buy a whole jar at your destination.
Smashed avocado
Super simple! You can add tomatoes too if you want. Serve as is or with rice crackers.
Oatmeal
I prefer to bring my own premade mix from home in a large baggie. Then I can cook small amounts at a time on the road. All you need is hot water.
This is perfect to have on hand for mornings where you don’t want to leave in search of breakfast immediately.
You can make it however you want, but this is a combo I like:
Quick-cooking oats + hemp + flax + powdered coconut milk + chia + cinnamon + freeze dried berries.
Once it’s prepared, you can add nut butter as well as fresh berries if you’d like.
Chia pudding
This is a nutritious meal that is good to make if you’ll be staying in one spot for a while.
A simple Google search will show you plenty of recipes, but I like chia + milk of your choice + a little maple syrup. I usually add a bit of cinnamon if I have it.
I sometimes pack chia seeds from home if I think they’ll be hard to find (or very expensive) in our destination.
Scrambled eggs
This is another go-to as eggs are easy to find just about everywhere.
Bulk it up by adding veggies, sweet potato, or avocado.
Rice + beans + corn
This is another simple one using ingredients you can easily find in most places. I’d recommend this one if you’re staying in a place for a longer period of time, as you’ll definitely have a few days worth of leftovers.
Alternatively, order rice and beans as a side at a Mexican restaurant and keep it in a takeaway container to store.
Pasta, peas, & pesto
Whole grain noodles combined with frozen peas and pesto is a quick and easy meal and it saves well for leftovers. You can add cherry tomatoes too!
Roasted veggies
If your accommodation has an oven, simply bake some veggies. Sweet potato is a favorite of ours!
Insider Tip: When you’re in a pinch, look in the prepared food section of the grocery store. We’ve found premade guacamole, wheat bulgar and veggie salad, fruit medleys, and lots more. This has worked for us no matter where in the world we are. Check the frozen aisle too. We’ve found frozen falafel (or veggie burgers) and frozen veggies with hummus is an easy meal.
Want more advice for traveling as a family?
We have lots of resources on traveling with children, from newborns to toddlers. Check out our Family Travel Guide for all the answers to your most burning questions, or read some of our favorite articles below!
- Practical Family Travel Tips: The ultimate guide to traveling with a baby or a toddler
- Flying with a Baby: Tried-and-true tips to prepare you for the flight
- Hotel or Airbnb with a Baby: Read this before you book any accommodations!
- Best Travel Toys for Toddlers & Babies: Tested + parent-approved toys that will keep your little one entertained (and won’t take up too much luggage space)
- Surviving Toddler Jet Lag: Our step-by-step process for adjusting time zones
- Flying with a Car Seat: Everything you need to know before getting on the plane
- Encouraging Family Travel Tips: Heartfelt advice to boost your confidence!
Don’t forget to download our FREE printable packing list for traveling with a baby! Click the image below to get yours.
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We want to hear from you!
We hope these ideas for baby & toddler travel snacks are helpful!
Do you have any go-to snacks that we should add to this list? What questions or concerns do you still have?
Note: Please be respectful with your comments. Remember, we are sharing tips that have personally worked for us. This doesn’t mean they will work for everyone.