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Ahhh, traveling with kids—equal parts adventure and chaos. One moment you’re marveling at how cute they look staring out the airplane window, and the next they’re hangry monsters demanding snacks at an altitude where your options are pretzels or… more pretzels. The secret to surviving airplane travel with kids? Snacks. ALL THE SNACKS – and maybe a tablet!

But not just any snacks—strategic snacks. We’re talking portable, delicious, and strategically nutritious airplane snacks for kids and you. Bonus points if they don’t crumble into oblivion in your bag and they don’t need a refrigerator.

Oh, and for those super-organized moms, I’ve included ideas for a “snackle box”—a tackle box turned snack holder. Think charcuterie on the go… but kid-friendly. Ready? Let’s pack some airplane snacks for kids!

Nutrients to Prioritize When Traveling

Let’s be real—traveling means your family will probably be eating differently than you do at home, and that’s okay. Your kids aren’t going to develop a deficiency because they lived on granola bars and crackers for a day or two – constipation, maybe?

When planning snacks, aim to prioritize nutrients that help keep your kids full and energized: protein, fiber, healthy fats, and hydration.

• Protein: Keeps hunger at bay for longer (think seeds or jerky or cheese sticks and yogurt if you have a short trip).
• Fiber: Helps with digestion and avoids the dreaded travel tummy troubles (fruit, veggies, and whole-grain snacks).
• Healthy fats: Gives them energy (nuts, seeds, and nut or seed butters – even some fortified options).
• Water: Staying hydrated is especially important to help with the highly likely constipation. (bring a reusable water bottle for plain water, however, milk and 100% juice can also help keep them hydrated too).

Pro Tip: Don’t stress about making every snack “perfect.” Traveling is about getting through the day—survival and memories first, nutrition second.

Altitude Changes: Help Those Ears Pop

Let’s talk ear pressure—because if you’ve ever had a toddler screaming during descent, you know it’s no joke. Helping kids chew or suck on something can reduce that pressure and ease discomfort.

Here’s what works:

• Gum (great for kids over 4 who can chew without swallowing it)
• Suckers (but for kids under 4, go for flat suckers—less of a choking hazard than round ones)
• Drinking through a straw (double win for hydration and ear relief)
• Snacks that require lots of chewing, like granola bars or dried fruit

Why Food Safety Matters When Packing Perishable Snacks

If you’re bringing perishable snacks like cheese sticks, yogurt, or deli meat, keep in mind the 2-hour rule for food safety. Perishable foods can be safely kept at room temperature for up to 2 hours. After that, bacteria can multiply quickly.

Will your kids get sick if they eat a cheese stick that’s been out for 6 hours? Probably not—but these are the recommended guidelines, especially if you want to play it safe and not waste food.

How to Stay Safe:

• Use an insulated bag with an ice pack if you want to keep snacks cold for longer – I love the PackIT lunch box and snack box because they have built-in ice packs!
• Plan to eat perishable snacks first within two hours if you can.
• Stick to shelf-stable snacks for longer stretches of travel—you’ll have less to worry about, as well as less food waste.

Snackle Box 101: The Snack Game-Changer

A snackle box is like a bento box’s fun cousin—basically, a small tackle box or craft organizer filled with bite-sized snacks. It’s the perfect way to offer a variety of airplane snacks for kids while keeping everything neatly organized (and not crushed at the bottom of your bag). Bonus: It keeps kids entertained while they decide which snack to eat next!

Keep in mind that it should be a container that’s meant for food.

Don’t overthink it – just add a bunch of random snacks from a variety of food groups, including a few sweet options too!

Snackle Box Containers:

• Melii 12 Compartment Snackle Box
• Melii Snackle Box
• Melii 8 Compartment Snackle Box
• Snack Box Container
• Stackable Food Storage Containers
• Snackle Box Divided Tray Container
• Bentgo EasyBoxes 5 Compartment
• Bentgo EasyBoxes 4 Compartment
• GoBe Kids Small Snack Spinner
• Snack Bag

I also like to use this handy dandy snack bag for on-the-go package snacks. It’s perfect to toss in the beach bag, throw in the car, or add to your carry-on to stash airplane snacks for kids.

A Note About Nuts

I always recommend being mindful of bringing nuts on planes, especially peanuts, because you never know if your plane will have a passenger on board who’s allergic. I also like to ask anyone I sit next to if they have any allergies, just to be considerate when I’m selecting what I’ll be snacking on.

However, sometimes it’s just easier to try to avoid nuts and I’ve tried to provide examples without nuts, but they may be processed in a plant that contains nuts – so always double-check the ingredient list to make sure.

27 Airplane Snacks for Kids (No Fridge Needed!)

While it’s great to bring fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese, yogurt, and other fresh options, it’s not always practical while traveling. Feel free to bring fresh options if you’d like, but I’m providing you with ideas that don’t require refrigeration so it’s one less thing you have to worry about while traveling with kids.

Here are a few of my favorites: keep in mind choking hazards for kids under four.

In a world full of restriction and fear around foods it’s important to note that these snacks are not perfect (pssst – no snack is), but they do provide value in some way, shape, or form – especially convenience while traveling with kids.

And just remember, you can absolutely pack their favorite crackers, chips, and sweet treats too!

Brainiac Brain Squeezers

I love Brainiac Brain Squeezers because they’re not only a convenient option for adding fruits in while traveling, but they have 100 mg of Omega-3 DHA/EPA (healthy fat) and 120 mg of choline which is great for kids and their growing brains and bodies!

Brainiac Fruit Snacks

Brainiac fruit snacks re a favorite in our house because let’s be real—if our kids are going to eat fruit snacks (and we all know they are), why not choose ones with a little extra boost? These pack in Omega-3s and choline for some added brain power!

Bear Fruit Rolls or Fruit Snacks

Another great option for a gummy snack is Bear Fruit Rolls or Fruit Snacks. They contain no added sugar and only four ingredients, plus they come with a fun collectible card inside.

MadeGood Granola Minis

MadeGood Granola Minis are one of my go-to granola products. They’re allergen-friendly and lower in added sugar than many other granola bar products. They also contain nutrients from vegetable extracts and are a good source of vitamins C and D.

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are a great protein-packed snack for traveling—perfect when you’re avoiding nuts and refrigerated foods. They’re rich in iron, zinc, and healthy fats, making them a nutritious option for both kids and adults.

Sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds are another great shelf-stable option to boost protein for kids on the go. They’re also a good source of healthy fats, vitamin E, and magnesium—perfect for snacking without the mess of nuts!

Archer Jerky or meat sticks

Protein options that don’t require refrigeration can be hard to come by. That’s why leaning on convenient options like jerky or meat sticks while traveling can be helpful. Jerky and meat sticks can be a little tougher to chew so be mindful of this with younger children.

Dino Bars

Dino bars have been a go-to fruit bar in our house for the last five years. With little to no added sugar and a nice boost of fat and protein, they’re a must-pack for your kids’ airplane snacks. Bonus: they come wrapped in an edible paper lining, making them totally mess-free!

That’s It Fruit Bars

That’s It fruit bars are another great option—literally just fruit, nothing else. Getting enough fruit while traveling can be tricky, but these make it easy. Plus, they come in a super convenient mini size for little hands!

Triscuit Thin Crisps

I mentioned that fiber is an important nutrient to include while traveling and Triscut Thin Crisps are a great option to help! With 4 grams of fiber for 7 crackers, your kids will meet their fiber intake in no time. Plus they come in a variety of flavors too!

BelVita Energy Snack Bites

BelVita Energy Snack Bites are a great option for airplane snacks for kids because they’re a good source of fiber, B vitamins, and iron. Plus, they’re made with seeds, not nuts!

Freeze-dried fruit

While packing fresh fruit is a great option, it’s not always practical. That’s where freeze-dried fruit provides so much value. It’s sweet, crunchy, and shelf-stable. I do recommend keeping it in an airtight container, otherwise it does start to soften and get stale.

Harvest Snap Baked Green Pea Snacks

It can be difficult to pack fresh veggies for airplane snacks for kids, let alone get them to actually eat them. I love Harvest Snaps Baked Green Pea Snacks for a convenient option to pack. While they’re not technically a vegetable, their first ingredient is green peas and they contain 4 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein per serving.

Harvest Snaps Crunchy Loops

I also love Harvest Snaps Crunchy Loops – the sour cream and onion flavor is my favorite. They’re made with lentils and if you’re going to give your kids a crunchy snack, at least they’re getting some more protein and fiber with each bite.

Hippeas Chickpea Puffs

Another crunchy snack that gives your kid more bang for their buck is Hippeas Chickpea Puffs. Because they’re made with chickpea flour they contain a decent amount of protein and fiber per serving.

Off the Eaten Path Veggie Crisps

Off the Eaten Path Veggie Crisps are a tasty crunchy snack that are made with rice, chickpeas, peas, and black beans so they help provide more fiber and protein compared to other crunchy snacks.

Parmesan Whisps

While it may be difficult to travel with regular cheese, I’ve found that cheese crisps can be a helpful way to still reap the nutritional benefits of cheese and provide an on-the-go protein option that’s shelf stable.

GoGo SqueeZ Yogurtz

GoGo Squeez Yogurtz are a favorite for adding a little protein on the go. They’re shelf-stable, kid-friendly, and perfect for travel days when you need a quick snack without refrigeration. Bonus: no spoon required!

If you want to pack a yogurt pouch that requires refrigeration, freeze it first and it functions like an ice pack – until it melts.

Quaker Oatmeal Squares

Quaker Oatmeal Squares may be a cereal, but they double as a crunchy, no-mess snack. With an impressive amount of fiber, protein, and iron for a cereal, they’re a solid choice for airplane snacks for kids (and parents too!).

Cheerios

Plain Cheerios can be a great way to get in whole grains and iron while traveling with your kids. They’ll likely be eating plenty of added sugar when traveling, so finding plain options can be a helpful way to lessen the added sugar load. However, if your kids don’t like the plain variety, you could opt for the Multigrain Cheerios.

Kix Cereal

Kix Cereal is another great option that’s lower in added sugar, but still packed with valuable vitamins and minerals thanks to fortification. It’s a simple, crunchy snack that’s easy to pack and perfect for keeping kids fueled during travel.

Prunes

Constipation can be a common issue when traveling, especially with a dip in fiber-rich fruits and veggies. That’s why packing a few prunes, like the SunSweet Amazin Prunes Fruit Packs, can help keep things moving. They’re a convenient, travel-friendly option to get that fiber boost on the go!

Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars

While Nature’s Baker Fig Bars have a bit more added sugar, they’re a helpful option for providing carbohydrates—the body’s main energy source—while traveling. They also offer fiber and a little protein. For a lower sugar option, try the Minis, which come with one fig bar instead of two.

Popcorn

Popcorn is a fantastic whole-grain snack that provides fiber while traveling. For kids under four, consider puff corn instead, as it’s easier to chew and minimizes the choking risk. It’s a fun, crunchy snack that keeps everyone satisfied on the go!

Raisins

Dried fruit is a great option for airplane snacks for kids. I love the Sun-Maid Sour Raisin Snacks because they contain no added sugar, which can be hard to find in dried fruit.

Dry Roasted Edamame

Another great shelf-stable protein option is dry-roasted edamame. Unlike many other plant-based proteins, soy is a complete protein, meaning it contains all the essential amino acids our bodies need. With 13 grams of protein per 1/3 cup, it’s a nutritious, crunchy snack that’s perfect for keeping little tummies full and energized while traveling—plus, it’s easy to pack and doesn’t need refrigeration!

Roasted Chickpeas

Roasted chickpeas are another excellent shelf-stable protein option, offering a crunchy, satisfying snack. They come in a wide variety of flavors, from classic sea salt to more adventurous options like BBQ or ranch, making them a fun and versatile choice for kids (and adults!) on the go. Plus, they’re packed with protein and fiber, keeping everyone full and energized during travel.

A Final Tip Before You Take Off

When it comes to airplane snacks for kids, the key is finding a balance of nutritious, easy-to-pack, and satisfying options—without stressing about making everything perfect.

A strategic snack has a little protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep everyone happy and energized (because we all know a hangry kid is no fun).

While fresh, whole foods are awesome, packaged snacks are a lifesaver for travel days. And hey, don’t sweat it if everything isn’t “perfect”—you’re doing your best, and that’s what matters. The goal is simple: keep the kiddos fueled, keep the tantrums at bay, and make the journey as smooth as possible for everyone.

Snacks are life, and being prepared will make your trip 10x smoother.

Safe travels and happy snacking! ✈️