Snacking makes travel more fun and less stressful, right? Wrong. As a mother of two toddlers, I know how important healthy snacking for toddlers is when traveling with your kids.
Hey! I’m Lisa and welcome to my exclusive post on Healthy Snacking for Toddlers. Join me as I share some of the healthy recipes, we make for our two kids when we travel. I also will talk about what snacks my toddlers eat at home daily. My goal for this blog is to keep everyone in good health.
One of my biggest travel pet peeves is adults assuming their snacks are edible for kids. It also seems like my son can sniff out the snacks that aren’t actually for him (and it’s pretty darn infuriating). The fact is there are a ton of snacks out there that parents want for themselves (or simply forget) that are not toddler approved. Here are some great healthy toddler snacks on the go!
I started writing it as I struggled to find information on how to keep my toddler healthy and happy while traveling. I wanted to share these travel foods for toddlers that worked for us, and hopefully, they could also help you.
Animal crackers-
Making a healthy cracker at home is a quick and easy way to keep your toddler’s belly happy! In a mixing bowl, combine whole-wheat flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix everything well with a fork. Blend in the peanut butter and milk. Shape them into cute animals to add more fun. Place them on a baking sheet and roll them in broken peanuts. Preheat the oven and bake for 15 minutes at 350°F. Ours took slightly longer than 15 minutes, so you might want to check on them a couple of times. When finished, place it onto a serving plate and allow it to cool.
Your kids will relish their favorite road trip snacks and the ride together!
You can add any seasoning or flavor to these crackers if you prefer.
Homemade Granola Bars-
This goldie is not that oldie even today. It is the first thing when it comes to healthy snacking for toddlers too. Pack your bake with the perfect mix of good energy. The Granola bars are quick and easy to create. This bar is gluten and dairy-free too.
In a small bowl, combine flax meal, salt, and water. Stir until the salt dissolves. Set aside until ready to make your granola. Combine oats, grated coconut, nut butter (I had some peanut butter on hand, so I tossed that in), honey, and dried cranberries in a large bowl. Mix everything with your hands until the oats combine with the wet ingredients. Press into a 9×9 or 8×8 silicone tray. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Make sure to test with a toothpick.
Insert a toothpick into it to ensure that it is fully cooked.
Spinach Banana Muffins-
These spinach banana muffins are not only an excellent choice for road trips, but your kids will keep on demanding them at home too. Make a green, smooth blend of banana, neutral-flavored oil or butter, spinach, milk, egg, and honey in a blender. Add this to the dry mix of oats, flour, and baking powder. Fill the greased muffin cavities with the batter. Bake in a convection oven for 20-25 minutes at 160˚C. They remain fresh for 3-4 days, so you can prepare days ahead of the trip.
Fresh fruits-
Carry fresh fruits that the kids are fond of, like berries, apples, bananas, and mango. Secure them in an ice pack to keep them fresh and crisp for a long. Dino bars may be a choice to feed them with the goodness of fruits. These all-fruit bars are one of the best road trip snacks for 1 year old.
Veggie chips-
It’s time to introduce your toddler to vegetables. You can make a mix of veggie chips for them. Besides potatoes, kids like kale. So, you can either make kale chips or cut the root vegetables like beet or sweet potato into thin slices. Drizzle some olive oil, parmesan cheese, and seasoning. Spread them over a baking sheet and oven-bake them to turn crispy.
My kids look forward to treats now and then, even on a long drive. I like to feed them purely homemade food. My best tactic for getting through kids’ demands on a road trip is packing lots of homemade healthy travel snacks for kids. So, their bellies are happy, and so am I.
