These tips for packing travel food<\/strong> (and travel snacks!) will cover what to pack for easy eating on the go\u2014and also how to pack it to ensure that the food is safe and in good shape come mealtime. Having food packed can save money and moods when hunger strikes, so rely on these ideas when you\u2019re heading out on a trip. <\/em><\/p>\n We always pack food with us when we travel, whether on vacations or simply on day trips because it\u2019s a great way to keep our travel budget in check. And it also allows me to make sure I have easy food ready for my family whenever we get hungry\u2014so we don\u2019t have to rely on whatever happens to be available at the closest rest stop.<\/p>\n This is especially helpful when you have a baby or toddler and need to make sure you have options that are easy for them to eat\u2014right at the time that they\u2019re hungry.<\/p>\n That said, packing travel food can be a little daunting, so I\u2019m going to share all of my best tips to make it easier for you to fuel your family while on the go!<\/p>\n (You may also like Easy Vacation Meals<\/a>, Toddler Travel Cribs<\/a>, Toddler Travel Toys<\/a>, and Toddler Snacks to take on the go<\/a> to make leaving the house a little easier.)<\/p>\n Your toddler won\u2019t eat? Help is here!<\/p>\n Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n Before you start packing food, you\u2019ll want to keep these pointers in mind. These will help you to pack enough food and to think through what you actually need before you start.<\/p>\n TIP:<\/strong> Eating while on the go is a temporary situation, so it\u2019s okay if the kids don\u2019t eat the same way or the same foods as they do at home!<\/p>\n These are my favorite containers to use for packing travel food. I find them easy to pack and to clean\u2014and they\u2019ve each lasted for years so were totally worth the investment of buying them once.<\/p>\n To keep things contained and easy to access during family road trips<\/a> or full travel days, I recommend packing a bento-style lunchbox for each family member. I like that these fit a meal and two snacks for younger kids and they are stackable when full and they easily nest and stack when empty.<\/p>\n This makes it possible to easily fit three boxes in a backpack, even if you have other things to tote. And they don\u2019t take up much space once the food is gone but you still need to store them on your trip.<\/p>\n TIP:<\/strong> Check out the regular-size Easy Lunchboxes<\/a> and the smaller Snack Boxes<\/a>. They\u2019re affordable and durable.<\/p>\n If you prefer to have snacks in separate containers, which would limit the possible amount that can be spilled at once, look for a set that hooks together. They are super durable and attach to each other for easy packing\u2014and finding in your bag.<\/p>\n TIP:<\/strong> Look for the Stackable Snack Containers<\/a> from Replay Recycled.<\/p>\n These are great to bring since you can rinse them out and reuse them for applesauce, yogurt, smoothies, and more. You can even use them at a restaurant to make it easier for your little to eat!<\/p>\n TIP:<\/strong> We love the Squeasy Gear pouch<\/a>.<\/p>\n I try to pack mostly shelf-stable foods when packing travel food, but if you need or want to pack things that need to be refrigerated, these thin ice packs<\/a> are compact and light.<\/p>\n You can also freeze applesauce pouches<\/a> and pack them as ice packs that the kids can eat with their lunch or snack later in the day. They usually thaw in 2-3 hours when kept at either room temperature or in a cooler bag or cooler.<\/p>\n When we fly, I use a small cooler bag. If we\u2019re in the car, I often use a small cooler and restock the ice as needed from a gas station.<\/p>\n I like to pack foods that are relatively fuss-free and not too messy. These travel snacks don\u2019t need to be refrigerated and hold up well when packed in a reusable container. Here are some of my favorites.<\/p>\n Perfectly spiced and just sweet enough, these Applesauce Muffins are a yummy breakfast or snack. We like these on their own, topped with nut or seed butter, or even with a smear of cream cheese. See what your littles like!<\/span><\/p>\n Favorite Applesauce Muffins<\/a>\n<\/div>\n This easy baby food pouch is an easy staple to serve as a baby meal or snack and contains fruit, protein, calcium, fiber, and healthy fats. Find more flavor ideas in the Notes at the end of the recipe.<\/span><\/p>\n Best Baby Food Pouches (Easy and Homemade)<\/a>\n<\/div>\n Like a cross between a fluffy blueberry muffin and baked oatmeal, these Blueberry Banana Muffins are moist and packed with yummy nutrition.<\/span><\/p>\n Blueberry Banana Muffins<\/a>\n<\/div>\n These are an easy whole grain cookie to share with the kids\u2014they’re a great baby cookie! Try them for snack, dessert, or as a breakfast cookie<\/span><\/p>\n Healthy Banana Cookies (to Share with the Kids)<\/a>\n<\/div>\n These no-bake bites taste like a cross between oatmeal raisin and peanut butter cookie dough. I use natural creamy peanut butter (like the kind from Smuckers), and it works really well. <\/span><\/p>\n Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Balls<\/a>\n<\/div>\n We like to have these granola bars as a snack or toddler breakfast with milk or a smoothie\u2014and they’re an excellent lunch box component too. You can make them plain or choose a flavor to add!<\/span><\/p>\n Easy Homemade Granola Bars<\/a>\n<\/div>\n With just a handful of nutritious ingredients, you can bake up super easy Banana Oatmeal Muffins to share with the kids. For the best flavor and sweetness, use bananas with a lot of brown spots. Bonus: These store so well in the fridge for days! <\/span><\/p>\n Banana Oatmeal Muffins (SO Good!)<\/a>\n<\/div>\n Pair a soft sandwich bread with your filling of choice to make this easy toddler lunch or school lunch. You can even make them the night before.<\/span><\/p>\n Quick Sandwich Roll Ups (2-Minute School Lunch)<\/a>\n<\/div>\n Be sure to use super ripe bananas\u2014the more black and brown spots, the better the flavor and sweetness will be!\u2014for the best results here. Adapted from The Salty Marshmallow<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Lower Sugar Banana Bread (SO Good!)<\/a>\n<\/div>\n TIP:<\/strong> You can also consider packing foods like Overnight Oats with berries<\/a>, homemade hummus<\/a> and crackers, and even a mango smoothie<\/a> with an ice pack in a cooler bag.<\/p>\n Of course, you don\u2019t need to make any snacks from scratch if you don\u2019t want to since there are so many great options at the store. Here are my favorites.<\/p>\n TIP:<\/strong> Find my full list of favorite healthy snacks for kids.<\/a><\/p>\n If you\u2019ll be flying with your kids, you may be wondering what you can bring along. A common question is whether or not families can pack food pouches and the short answer is that TSA allows them<\/a> in \u201creasonable quantities\u201d and they should be fine.<\/p>\n They also say:<\/a><\/p>\n Formula, breast milk, juice\u00a0in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to\u00a0fit within a quart-sized bag. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings. You do not need to travel with your child to bring breast milk.<\/p>\n Ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs\u00a0and other accessories required to cool formula, breast milk\u00a0and juice are allowed\u00a0in carry-on. If these accessories are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the same screening as described above.\u00a0<\/p>\n You may\u00a0also\u00a0bring gel or liquid-filled teethers, and canned, jarred and processed baby food in carry-on baggage. These items may be subject to additional screening.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n TIP:<\/strong> Many Starbucks and other airport kiosks carry food pouches so in the event you can\u2019t or don\u2019t pack your own, you should be able to buy one. Same goes for milk.<\/p>\n The easiest options include pouches, mini muffins, cheese sticks, shredded chicken, crackers, puffs, and toddler snack bars.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Muffins, snack bars, crackers, energy bites, and granola bars can be stored at room temperature and make great on-the-go snacks.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Pouches, baby puffs, fruit (such as bananas, raspberries, halved blueberries, and diced strawberries), small pieces of soft cheese, scrambled eggs, and baby muffins all work for baby food on the go.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n I\u2019d love to hear your best travel food tips so please comment below to share! <\/p>\n This post was first published April 2020.<\/p>\n \n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" These tips for packing travel food (and travel snacks!) will cover what to pack for easy eating on the go\u2014and also how to pack it to ensure that the food is safe and in good shape come mealtime. Having food packed can save money and moods when hunger strikes, so rely on these ideas when […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":255202,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[138],"tags":[2074,2059,10677,542,2541],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-255201","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blw","tag-food","tag-guide","tag-packing","tag-travel","tag-ultimate"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"kids](\"https:\/\/www.yummytoddlerfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/kids-travel-lunches-and-snacks-on-counter.jpg)
![\"travel](\"https:\/\/www.yummytoddlerfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/toddler-travel-food-in-containers.jpg)
Best Tips for Packing Travel Food<\/h2>\n
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![\"toddler-food-in-containers\"](\"https:\/\/www.yummytoddlerfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/toddler-food-in-containers.jpg)
Best Containers for Travel Food<\/h2>\n
Bento Boxes<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Stackable Containers<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Reusable Pouches<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How to Keep Food Cool<\/h2>\n
![\"Strawberry](\"https:\/\/www.yummytoddlerfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/strawberry-muffin-lunch.jpeg)
Best Recipes for Travel Food<\/h2>\n
![\"mini](\"https:\/\/www.yummytoddlerfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/applesauce-muffins-1-100x100.jpg)
![\"baby-food-pouches-on-counter-top\"](\"https:\/\/www.yummytoddlerfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/baby-food-pouches-on-counter-top-100x100.jpg)
![\"blueberry](\"https:\/\/www.yummytoddlerfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/blueberry-banana-muffins-100x100.jpg)
![\"trail](\"https:\/\/www.yummytoddlerfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/trail-mix-for-kids-100x100.jpg)
![\"banana](\"https:\/\/www.yummytoddlerfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/banana-cookies-on-rack-150x150.jpg)
![\"peanut-butter-oatmeal-energy-balls\"](\"https:\/\/www.yummytoddlerfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/peanut-butter-oatmeal-energy-balls-150x150.jpg)
![\"stack-of-homemade-granola-bars\"](\"https:\/\/www.yummytoddlerfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/stack-of-homemade-granola-bars-150x150.jpg)
![\"banana](\"https:\/\/www.yummytoddlerfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/banana-oatmeal-muffins-100x100.jpg)
![\"sandwich-roll-ups-in-stainless-container\"](\"https:\/\/www.yummytoddlerfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sandwich-roll-ups-in-stainless-container-150x150.jpg)
![\"baked-lower-sugar-banana-bread\"](\"https:\/\/www.yummytoddlerfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/baked-lower-sugar-banana-bread-100x100.jpg)
![\"road-trip-snacks-for-kids-in-container\"](\"https:\/\/www.yummytoddlerfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/road-trip-snacks-for-kids-in-container.jpg)
Best Travel Snacks to Take on the Go<\/h2>\n
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Snacks for Airplane Travel<\/h2>\n
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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
Best Tips for Success<\/h2>\n
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