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<\/p>\nIf you\u2019re planning to embark on a family road trip, one of the keys to finding yourself in a car with happy children is staving off the dreaded \u201changer.\u201d But, finding healthy snacks for kids that are also crowd-pleasers can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack (or that last spilt pretzel in the crevice of your backseat). Why is it that the nutritional snacks always get a bad rap?<\/p>\n
We put together a list of parent-approved road trip snacks for kids that you may even want to steal a bite of (and not feel guilty about).<\/p>\n
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This trail mix [link to future trail mix recipe] is the perfect combination of salty and sweet! Make sure the ratio of nuts to chocolate is closer to 2:1 so kids get a nice dose of protein and healthy fat with their M&M\u2019s. Add pretzels for some extra crunch and pack individual portions in plastic bags for your kids (or you!) to enjoy on the go. Our advice: put some stickers with their favorite characters on the bags.<\/p>\n
While the ingredients can vary, the key to being the ultimate snack mix master is a balance between sweet or savory snacks you know your little ones like, and maybe a few additional healthy ingredients they didn\u2019t know they liked. And if you\u2019re looking for some other family road trip trail mix favorites, here are some other combos to try.<\/p>\n
Tip: Have a nut allergy? Swap nuts for pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.<\/p>\n
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Spread apple slices with a thin layer of peanut butter or your favorite nut butter (adding too much can cause a bona fide backseat disaster) and sprinkle with granola before topping off with another apple slice. You\u2019ll get the ease of a sandwich with the crunch of an apple. Plus, a little birdie told us that an apple sandwich a day keeps the doctor away! Make cleanup easy by packing some fun napkins in their favorite theme from a party store (or if you have any left over in the house from a past birthday). Encourage your child to put one on their lap while they eat to catch any falling ingredients.<\/p>\n
If apples or peanut butter aren\u2019t your thing, here are some alternate sandwich ideas we\u2019d gladly pack in our trunk cooler.<\/p>\n
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Here\u2019s a kernel of wisdom for you\u2014popping your own popcorn is easier than you think! Plus, you can leave all of the butter and salt behind. All you need are unpopped popcorn kernels, oil, salt, and a pot. Let it cool and store it in gallon-size bags to keep it fresh. If you\u2019re running short on time, just grab a bag or two of Skinny Pop at the grocery store before you head out of town.<\/p>\n
And popcorn doesn\u2019t have to be plain, so grab a seasoning (Kernel Season makes a ton of great flavors) so you can go beyond plain corn. You can also make a popcorn trail mix (see above), or, if you have some extra time, make these<\/a> chewy popcorn balls for easy snacking on your next family road trip.<\/p>\n We know, getting kids to eat their veggies can be an uphill battle. But, when you pair baby carrots, celery sticks, or your kids\u2019 favorite veggies with a dip, the chances of them eating their veggies goes up exponentially. If you have time, you can assemble your own at home using a divided tupperware\u2014but if not, grocery stores have premade versions too.<\/p>\n Feeling like a Pinterest parent? Make these<\/a> veggie ladybug crackers, or some carrot and cucumber tulips<\/a>, both of which are quick to make and pack easily for a family road trip.<\/p>\n Think of a soft granola bar in the shape of a ball, and voila\u2014you have an energy ball! Comprised of oats, peanut butter (or seed butter), and chocolate chips, these energy balls make for a great pre-vacation activity. Plus, kids love anything with chocolate, right?<\/p>\n Tip: No time to assemble before your road trip? Some grocery stores sell these in the bulk foods section, like this version<\/a> from MadeGood, but if not opt for granola bars.<\/p>\n![\"6](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/GWL_2019_Q1-2_Blog_RoadTripSnacks_Veggies-1024x590.jpg\")
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