Preschooler-Approved Snacks for On-the-Road
Something about traveling brings out the hangry in everyone–especially preschoolers who are impatiently waiting to reach a destination. Whether that destination is home after a day at daycare or on the way to a fabulous family beach trip, traveling is going to require some awesome snacks! Studies compiled by The Washington Post show that kids under 5 years old eat nearly 20% of their daily calories in the form of afternoon snacks–most of which were sugary, salty, processed treats. That’s a chunk of daily eating that is nutritionally lacking! As parents, caregivers, or early childhood educators, snack time can easily be a nutrient powerhouse instead of a nutrient deficit.
Here at Chester Child Development Center we work hard to provide balanced and structured nutrition for our students. Call today to chat about what we have on the menu!
Looking for some simple snacks you can stash for your travels that are also nutritious? Take a look at our research-backed snacks and let’s get packing!
1. Mix Fruits, Veggies & Dairy
Fresh fruits such as apple slices, grapes, mandarins, and berries are easy crowd-pleasers that are chock full of fiber and vitamins. Pre‑washed snap peas and carrot sticks travel well too! Pair these with string cheese or yogurt cups/tubes for a boost of protein. For kiddos who need some help finding interest in fresh fruits and veggies, homemade fruit and veggie dips are simple and easy additions that can pack in some nutrition, as well.
Packing tip: Did you know you can bring a cooler and food on an airplane? Double check that your icepack is totally frozen and meets TSA standards and your yummy snacks can fly too! Additionally, you can pack the cooler and snacks and grab a cup of ice from a restaurant once you’re through TSA. (TSA Cooler Guidelines)
2. Carbs & Protein
Combining quality carbohydrates with protein in your little one’s snack can not only help maintain their blood glucose levels but also will help keep them full for longer! (Source). Here are a handful of great combos:
- Fruit leather, cheerios, and string cheese — well balanced macronutrients for the win!
- Homemade trail mix–healthy fats, protein, and a little sweet/salty crunch. Need inspo? here you go: Kiddo Trail Mix
- Energy bites/bars — packed with oats and nut butter for an excellent balance.
- Yogurt/Hummus — combine these with fruit or veggies to sneak in some extra vitamins and minerals. Greek yogurt makes an excellent base for fruit/veggie dip, as well.
We know that snacks aren’t just boredom busters here at Chester Child Development Center, but rather, snacks are an important piece of a child’s nutrition within early childhood education. Schedule a tour today to check out our classrooms and see what we’ve got cookin!
3. Wise Shelf-Stable Picks
When refrigeration isn’t possible or you need to grab a snack fast, go for stable, healthy options. Here are a few dietitian-backed options:
- Unsalted nuts/seeds
- Dried or freeze-dried fruit–watch for added sugar here. Fruit is sweet by itself and doesn’t need the help.
- Bagged popcorn—Lesser Evil is an excellent brand with avoiding seed oils in mind
- Granola Bars or Bites — MadeGood is a great option and sold in bulk at Costco!
- Yogurt Bites — Amara brand is tasty and delicious
- Hippeas — found at many convenience stores and pack a cheesy protein punch
- Beef Sticks — look for no MSG and fillers. Chomp Sticks and Archer are great
- Applesauce — always an easy and yummy go-to
4. Empower Little Hands
Studies within have shown that engagement in food prep or packing can help boost healthy choices–kids are more likely to eat what they have helped prepare. Take a few minutes to let your preschooler be part of the packing process: packing pouches, slicing bananas, or assisting in the assembly of a homemade trail mix. This not only allows children to feel important and helpful but also lays the groundwork for healthy choices and future life skills.
Life skills are an incredibly important piece of early childhood education! Here at Chester Child Development Center we lay an excellent foundation for later life skills from a young age. We work on this in various ways such as toy pickup, sequencing, personal responsibility, daily preparedness and more. Schedule a tour today to see education in action!
5. Safety, Variety & Convenience
- Offer small portions often to match small appetites and small attention spans
- Keep hydration key—water before juice as many juices contain added sugar.
- Pack a variety of snack options. This helps balance nutrition and helps alleviate food boredom (source)
- If you’re car traveling, consider packing plastic cups or containers for easy snacking and refills. Also, bring wet wipes
Hitting the Road
Road trips can be perfect moments to reinforce healthy eating. Whether you are hitting the road to visit family, flying to a beach adventure, or simply trying to make it home from school for the day, prepping ahead lets you control the nutritional input and sets up lifelong healthy habits. As a bonus, avoiding super-sugary foods that lead to crashing can help keep spirits high and bellies happy.
Call today to schedule a tour and see us here at Chester Child Development Center. We would love to be part of your child’s early childhood education, encouraging them from their first steps and letter sounds and even to their love and exposure to nutrient-dense foods.
Safe travels and happy snacking!