31 Healthy Travel Snacks for Kids: 100% Veggie

We’ve been a full-time travel family since 2019: campervans in New Zealand, overland from Europe to Africa, and now based in Thailand, where our youngest was born. And here’s a universal truth: no matter how long your trip is, snacks are essential.

We’re vegetarians, our eldest is picky, and street food isn’t always an option. We learned fast: pack snacks like a pro, or deal with chaos.

These 31 travel snacks for kids are perfect for planes, roadtrips, or whatever your next adventure brings. Let’s start!

What are the best travel snacks for kids?

The best travel snacks for kids are mess-free, nutritious, and easy to pack. Fresh fruit like apple slices or grapes, protein-packed bites like string cheese or hummus cups, and fun options like trail mix or mini sandwiches work great on planes, road trips, or ferries.

Fresh Fruit & Veg (No Cooler Needed)

1. Apple slices – A great option that’s perfect at room temperature. Spritz with lemon so they stay crisp. One medium apple has 4 grams of fiber and vitamin C—way more nutritious than most packaged snacks.

2. Bananas – Nature’s built-in packaging. Loaded with potassium (450mg per banana) which prevents muscle cramps during long sits, plus they’re one of the few fruits that actually get sweeter as they ripen in your bag.

3. Grapes (halved for little kids) – Easy, safe, and no juice spills. These little guys are packed with antioxidants and natural sugars that satisfy sweet cravings. On hot days (so basically every day here in Thailand), we love to put them into the freezer. My girls love “ice grapes”.

4. Baby carrots – Fuel that lasts. Beta-carotene powerhouses at only 4 calories each. We always take them to the horse riding lessons of my eldest (for the ponies), but end up eating them ourselves.

5. Cucumber sticks – Hydrating and fresh. They’re 95% water, so perfect for hot car rides when everyone’s getting dehydrated. Cut them thick so they don’t get soggy and weird.

6. Cherry tomatoes – Bite-size and mess-free. Way more interesting than regular tomatoes, and kids love popping them in their mouths. They travel better than you’d expect and don’t need refrigeration for several hours.

7. Sweet potatoes (pre-cooked and cubed) – Sounds weird, but trust me. Cook them (and maybe roast in the oven or airfryer) the night before your long trip—they’re naturally sweet, filling, and loaded with vitamin A. Kids think they’re getting a treat.

💡 Snack hack: Use a silicone snack cup or bento boxes to hold and organize fresh fruits in carry-on bags or stroller cup holders. Keeps everything from rolling around.

Dairy & Plant-Protein (Cooler or Insulated Bag)

8. String cheese or Babybel – Peel-and-eat, no utensils. Each stick packs 8 grams of protein and calcium for growing kids. Plus they can stay unrefrigerated longer than you’d think

9. Greek yogurt tubes – High in protein, less mess than cups. Greek yogurt has double the protein of regular yogurt (about 15-20g per serving). Freeze them overnight—they’ll keep other stuff cold and thaw perfectly by snack time.

10. Hard‑boiled eggs – Prep at home; peel and go. Complete protein with 70 calories each. Not glamorous (and a bit smelly tbh), but they keep kids full. My youngest loves to peel them herself.

11. Cottage cheese cups – Creamy bite with staying power. Way higher in protein (14g per half cup) than most snacks, and the mild flavor works for picky eaters. Pack individual cups so no one has to share.

12. Hummus cups + veggie sticks – Pair fiber and flavor. Kids feel fancy doing the whole dipping thing, and chickpea-based hummus actually fills them up. This combination is one of our favorite road trip snacks and works great for older kids who can handle the dipping.

13. Edamame pods – Fun to pop and packed with plant protein. Kids love the interactive element of popping beans out of pods—keeps my girls busy for a solid 20 minutes.

💡 Pro tip: Freeze yogurt tubes ahead of time—they keep cooler contents cold all morning and work like natural freezer packs.

Crunchy & Savory Bites

14. Whole-grain crackers – Great with hummus, cheese, or peanut butter. Look for ones with 3+ grams of fiber per serving for sustained energy. They’re sturdy enough not to turn to dust in your snack bag, unlike regular crackers.

15. Pretzels – Light, salty crunch kids love and a great way to avoid stopping at fast food restaurants. They don’t leave your car looking like a tornado hit it, and the salt actually helps replace what’s lost during hot rides and occasional meltdowns. My girls love the mini bagels from Lorenz.

16. Seaweed snacks – Thin, salty, zero mess. I know, I know—but kids are weird and many love these things (my eldest does). They’re surprisingly packed with minerals, and each sheet is only 5 calories.

17. Roasted chickpeas – Crunchy, protein-packed—great for nut-free families. Half a cup has 6 grams of protein and they’re way more interesting than regular nuts. Make them at home or grab them from the grocery store.

18. Mini rice cakes – No crumbs, lots of flavor. Each cake is only about 35 calories, so kids can have several without ruining dinner. They come in flavors like caramel corn that feel like treats.

19. Veggie chips – Baked, not fried, for guilt-free crunch. Still feels like a treat but won’t make you feel terrible as a parent. Sweet potato and beet versions actually taste different from regular chips.

20. Dry cereal – Mix different types in plastic bags for a custom trail mix. Fortified cereals add extra vitamins, and it’s an easy way to make something feel special. Cheerios, granola clusters, whatever works.

Naturally Sweet (But Not Overly Sugary)

21. Dried mango – True fruit flavor, no added sugar. Way better than those sticky fruit snacks that turn kids into tiny addicts. One ounce gives you 25% daily vitamin A, and they won’t make a mess in the car. My girls also like dried strawberries.

22. Fruit leather strips – Vegan-friendly and portable. Choose real fruit ones, not the neon-colored sugar strips.

23. Granola bars – Look for natural ingredients only. Read labels though—some are basically candy bars in disguise. The best ones combine oats, nuts, and dried fruit for energy that actually lasts.

24. Energy balls – Homemade oat-and-peanut butter balls (freeze to firm up). Make a big batch and they’ll last multiple trips. Each ball is about 70 calories of actual fuel, not empty sugar. Here in Thailand, energy balls are available at every cafe, so we often buy them as afternoon snacks or when going to the beach.

25. Apple chips – Crisp and easy, no juice. These are shelf-stable foods that travel perfectly and taste like dessert. Much more nutritious than regular chips, and they won’t go bad if forgotten in a bag for days.

26. Chia pudding cups – Prep in advance, spoon as needed. Sounds fancy, but it’s basically pudding with good nutrition. Chia seeds expand to create a filling snack that’s only about 60 calories per serving. My husband became a pro in preparing these. He does it in the evening, so they are ready to eat in the morning.

Pouches & Nut-Based Snacks (Mess-Free Superstars)

27. Fruit pouches – Look for no added sugar versions. These are lifesavers for carry-on bags and long car rides when you need something NOW.

28. Smoothie pouches – Vegan, veggie-packed options that taste like fruit. Kids get vegetables without knowing it—sneaky parent win.

29. Trail mix packs – Individually wrapped, ready to grab. Prevents the “who ate all the good stuff” fights that happen with big bags.

30. Nut butter packets – Individual peanut butter or almond butter servings. Pair with apple slices or crackers for a filling snack.

31. Mini sandwiches – PB&J cut into fun shapes, or cheese and crackers. Pack in reusable containers so they don’t get squished.

Putting It All Together: How to Pack Travel Snacks (Without Losing Your Mind)

Let’s talk snack packing—because having good snacks is one thing, but if they’re crushed at the bottom of your backpack, leaking all over the car seat, or causing chaos at security, they’re more stress than they’re worth. Here’s how we keep things simple, tidy, and travel-proof.

For Plane Travel:

• Go TSA-friendly. Liquids and gels over 100ml? Nope. That means no yogurt tubs, hummus cups, or smoothie packs unless they’re small (baby food pouches under 3.4oz are usually OK if they’re “medically necessary” or for young kids). Keep them in a clear zip bag just in case you need to explain.
• Pack dry, mess-free snacks in small containers or silicone snack bags (we love Stasher or Bumkins). Think crackers, bars, fruit leather, and trail mix.
• Use hard-sided snack containers for anything crushable (hello, mini muffins and cheese cubes).
• Label each snack per kid (we color-code containers) to avoid mid-flight fights.
• Don’t forget hydration—bring empty, reusable water bottles to fill after security.

For Road Trips:

• Use a soft-sided cooler or insulated lunch bag for perishables (like cheese sticks, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs).
• Freeze anything freezable the night before (yogurt tubes, smoothie pouches, energy bites) to act as mini ice packs and stay cold longer.
• Store dry snacks in a front-seat grab bin and keep individual snack boxes within kid reach.
• Pack napkins, wipes, and a trash bag. Just trust me on this one.
• Divide everything ahead of time—zip pouches, reusable snack bags, or mini containers prevent fighting and help with portion control.

My 3 Golden Snack-Packing Rules

1. Pack double what you think you’ll need. Kids always eat more when traveling.

2. Introduce a “new” snack mid-trip. It’s like hitting refresh on their mood.

3. Let kids pick one snack each. They feel in control, and they eat better when involved.

👉 You might also like:
– How to Entertain a Toddler on a Plane: 30 Genius Hacks
– Car, Plane, Train: The Perfect Travel with Toddler Checklist
– The Best Age to Travel with Kids
– How to Travel With a Toddler – Hacks From a Nomad Mum

Final Thoughts on Travel Snacks for Kids

Traveling with kids is never totally smooth, and that’s okay. There will be spills, mood swings, and the occasional meltdown (theirs and yours). But with the right healthy snacks, you buy yourself time, peace, and sometimes even those magical quiet moments when everyone’s happily munching and staring out the window.

From our little family to yours—happy travels, full bellies, and no hangry moments!

Did I forget your favorite healthy travel snack? Please let me know in the comments!

Thank you for reading and for making me part of your day! Yours, Lulu

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