Please share snack ideas for the car

[katiesmom2]

We won't have a cooler and we have a two day drive. We stop for meals, but the kids always seem to get hungry before mealtime.

So far I've made a list to buy goldfish crackers, teddy grahams and fruit loops.

Any other snack ideas? Our kids are 4 and 2.

Thanks!

 

[Juliee8]

We always get some of the peanut butter sandwich crackers and granola bars for the kids.

 

[jiminy]

What about some of the 100 calorie boxes of snacks? They have little cookies, crackers, goldfish, etc.

 

[littleteapot]

When we travel (we've taken eight 1300+ mile cartrips with 4 children) I always take a small cooler with cheese, string cheese, celery, carrots and fruit. I take a jar of peanut butter and crackers. We like raisens, dried mango and nuts (not good for little kids, but almonds and walnuts are good for you). I bring a box of sandwich bags and hand food back in the little bags. My kids like Cherrios and Crispex cereal, we don't do artificial colors.

Remember to bring a knife to cut stuff up and spread peanut butter. Also bring lots of wipes. I travel with a stack of kitchen towels and when the kids were 4 and under we used bibs. On most long trips, I am continually handing food back to the boys.

I buy bunches of 8 oz water bottles and stuff them everywhere in the car. My dh doesn't mind potty stops and I want them well hydrated on long trips. We don't do juice in the car, traveling while sticky is no fun.

 

[runwad]

We do lots of the snacks already mentioned plus one that hasn't "Pretzel Rods"

 

[katiesmom2]

Great ideas everyone - thanks! Keep 'em coming too!

We've driven cross-country with our kids 4 times, so they are seasoned car travellers. I'm used to having a cooler, so that is what is throwing me off a little. Usually we do have the fruit, string cheese, etc.

We don't need a lot of stuff, just enough to get them by. Dh and I eat lots of natural almonds and the odd Pringles chip!

DD can/will eat almost anything, but I need small, easy to eat things for DS2

Edited to add: We aren't bringing a cooler this time because the trip is so fast and we find it a pain to have to keep draining it and refilling with ice. Maybe I'll pick up a mini cooler and use those plastic icy block thingys.

 

[MrsBanks]

So far I've made a list to buy goldfish crackers, teddy grahams and fruit loops.

oh my are you gonna have a mess to clean up - our car/plane/whatever snacks are the same, my kids also enjoy the Ritz dinosaur crackers - I bring twizzlers for me (car trips are the only time I get them) BTW I don't normally let anyone eat in my van only on long trips

 

[nettii]

I would have the kids (if they are old enough) string the fruit loops on a yarn necklace, this way your killing two birds with one stone-so to speak- a craft and a snack. I tape the end of the yarn with a lil bit of masking tape to make a meg-shift needle for stinging.

I just got some nacho snacks for my boys its the cheese and chips in one pack- I like busy snacks!

Good luck have a great trip! Nettii

 

[daisyduck123]

I don't normally let anyone eat in my van only on long trips

I'll have to show your post to my kids to prove that I'm not the only one.
They hate that I don't allow eating or drinking in my van but it still looks brand new inside (Town & "Country 2004 or 2005) & no way am I going to allow anyyone to mess it up.
They actually have gotten much better with it & now just accept it.

BTW, we drive 14 hours to WDW & there is no eating in our van then either!!
I make everyone wait til mealtime, & then we stop to eat.

 

[PaMom001]

How about Yogo's. I actually like them myself, and they are somewhat nutricious.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I'll have to show your post to my kids to prove that I'm not the only one.
They hate that I don't allow eating or drinking in my van but it still looks brand new inside (Town & "Country 2004 or 2005) & no way am I going to allow anyyone to mess it up.
They actually have gotten much better with it & now just accept it.

BTW, we drive 14 hours to WDW & there is no eating in our van then either!!
I make everyone wait til mealtime, & then we stop to eat.

Ahhh, DH feels the same way about our truck. I found an agreeable compromise for our yearly trips to Cape Cod and the biggest benefit is the vehicle is actually clean when we arrive.

I spread out an old sheet over the back seat under the kids booster/car seats with slices where the seatbelts need to fit. When we stop every few hours I simply take out the seats, roll up the sheet, shake it out and put it back. Of course the sheet is icky when we get to our destinstion but a quick wash & dry makes it all good for our return home. I also keep a few plastic shopping bags around for garbage that I throw away at every stop so I don't feel overwhelmed by clutter.

Now everyone is happy. DH keeps the truck & leather clean, my kids don't get cranky from hunger and I get to rest knowing everyone I love is content


As for the cooler issue, I use the soft sided collapsible ones when we travel because they can almost disappear when not in use.

 

[Princess Roo]

You could bring string cheese and grapes for the 1st day...they can be out of the fridge for a while. What about apples?
Welch's makes little snack packs of dried fruit. They have a lot of sugar, but the pieces are small enough to not be choking hazards.
Lots of other good ideas on here!

 

[KristiKelly]

I usually fix a trail mix type thing, give it to the kids in small ziploc bags.

Breakfast bars.

For a real treat, Little Debbies.