51 Toddler Airplane Snacks to Keep Your Little One Happy
Looking for the best toddler airplane snacks?
Terrified about what to feed your toddler on a long flight?
Confused about how to pack their food or what you can bring through TSA?
This post is for you.
As a mom, I understand the challenges of traveling with a toddler, especially when it comes to keeping them well-fed and content during a flight.
We started flying with our kids when they were ages 2 years old and 4 months old on our first trip to Disney World and have continued to fly with them around the world since then.
Traveling with a toddler often involves navigating through picky eating habits and cravings for familiar comfort foods.
This post will lay out all the best snacks for toddlers while traveling.
51 Toddler Airplane Snacks: Ultimate List
- Fruit pouches or squeezable fruit packs
- Whole-grain crackers
- Cheese sticks or cubes
- Mini muffins or banana bread slices
- Yogurt cups or yogurt tubes
- Granola bars (low in sugar and high in fiber)
- Dried fruit (such as raisins, apricots, or mango slices)
- Pretzels or pretzel sticks
- Apple slices or apple chips
- Mini sandwiches (like turkey and cheese or peanut butter and jelly)
- Carrot sticks or baby carrots
- Rice cakes (plain or flavored)
- Animal Crackers
- Mini cheese and cracker packs
- Mini cereal boxes or snack-sized cereal cups
- Banana chips
- Rice Crispy treats
- Nut butter packets (such as almond or peanut butter)
- Mini hummus cups with pretzel or veggie sticks
- Beef or turkey jerky (choose age-appropriate and soft varieties)
- Dark chocolate squares or bars (in moderation)
- Pirates Booty Snack Puffs
- Veggie chips or veggie straws
- Roasted chickpeas
- Chex Mix
- Mini fruit cups in juice or water
- Marshmallows
- Cheese crackers or sandwich crackers
- Cheerios
- Edamame
- Fruit Leather
- Soft-baked granola bites
- Corn Nuts
- Fruit Loops
- Soft fruit slices (like peaches or pears)
- Gummy bears
- Honey-roasted nuts (age-appropriate and in moderation)
- Goldfish Crackers
- Clementine Oranges
- Jellybeans
- Apple sauce cups or pouches
- Lunchables
- Cucumber or zucchini sticks
- Cliff bars
- Mini oatmeal cups or bars
- Teddy bear-shaped graham crackers
- Sliced deli meats (choose lean and low-sodium options)
- Poptarts
- Homemade energy balls (made with oats, nuts, and dried fruits)
- Cheese and whole-grain pretzel bites
- Bite-sized cookies (Nutter Butters, Oreos, Chip Ahoy).
TSA Regulations:
When we were first flying with our kids, the most intimidating thing for me was the logistics of traveling with formula through security.
The process was easy after I knew what to do.
I simply told the TSA agent I had formula, and they took the bottles for inspection and brought them back to me when they were done. Easy peasy!
- Liquids Rule: TSA follows the 3-1-1 liquids rule, which states that each passenger is allowed to carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less, placed in 1 clear, quart-sized bag. Each passenger is allowed 1 quart-sized bag of liquids.
- Baby Food and Formula: TSA allows for larger quantities of baby food, formula, breast milk, and juice for toddlers and infants. These items are exempt from the 3.4-ounce rule. However, they must be declared to the TSA officer at the security checkpoint for additional screening.
- Declare at Security: When you arrive at the security checkpoint, inform the TSA officer that you have liquids for your toddler. They may ask you to separate the liquids from your other carry-on items for screening.
- Separate Containers: Keep the toddler’s liquids, such as milk, juice, or water, in separate containers from your own liquids. This makes it easier for TSA to identify and screen them separately if needed.
- Containers of Liquid: They may open the containers, swab them for explosives detection, or ask you to open them. Be prepared to cooperate and follow their instructions.
- Breast Milk: If you are traveling with breast milk, it is allowed in larger quantities than the 3.4-ounce limit. However, inform the TSA officer and be prepared for additional screening, which may include X-ray or other technology.
- Frozen Liquids: Frozen liquids, including breast milk or juice, are allowed through security as long as they are partially frozen. They will be subject to additional screening, so inform the TSA officer about the frozen liquids when you reach the checkpoint.
- Sippy Cups and Water Bottles: Empty sippy cups or bottles for toddlers are allowed through security. You can fill them with water or other beverages after the security checkpoint, or you can purchase drinks once you are past security.
Remember to check the TSA website or contact your airline for the most up-to-date information and guidelines regarding traveling with liquids and fluids.
Top Tips for Toddler Travel Snacks:
- Pack a variety of snacks: Include both sweet and savory options to cater to different preferences.
- Consider portion sizes: Pack snacks in small, individual portions to prevent overeating and reduce waste.
- Use resealable bags or snack containers: Pack snacks in reusable containers or resealable bags to keep them fresh and prevent spills.
- Keep snacks accessible: Place snacks in a separate bag or container that is easily accessible in your carry-on bag.
- Pack non-perishable options: Opt for snacks that don’t require refrigeration or spoil easily.
- Consider temperature-sensitive snacks: If you plan to pack perishable snacks like fruit or yogurt, use insulated bags or ice packs to keep them cool and fresh. Check airline regulations regarding ice packs before travel day.
- Include healthy options: Include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein-rich snacks.
- Be mindful of allergies: Be mindful of the allergies of other passengers. Avoid peanut-heavy snacks
- Keep familiar favorites: Include snacks that your toddler is familiar with and enjoys.
- Plan for longer flights: If you’re on a long-haul flight, pack additional snacks to account for unexpected delays or extended travel time. It’s better to have extra snacks on hand than to run out during the journey.
- Pack utensils if needed: If your toddler requires utensils for certain snacks, such as yogurt or cut fruits, pack child-sized spoons or forks.
Making Airplane Snacks for Toddlers Fun
Kids love snacks that can double as entertainment and are a great way to keep toddlers engaged and occupied during a flight. Here are some snack ideas that also entertain toddlers:
- Animal-shaped crackers: Imagine a mini zoo right in your snack bag! Animal-shaped crackers are not just tasty; they’re like little friends your toddler can play with and then munch on.
- String cheese or cheese cubes: who knew that cheese could be so much fun? Whether it’s peeling string cheese into thin, delicious strands or building towering structures with cheese cubes, this snack is so much fun
- DIY snack mix: Shake things up with a custom-made snack mix. Combine snacks like cereal, pretzels, dried fruit, and mini crackers. Hand over a resealable bag to your toddler and let them shake their way to snack mix mastery.
- Fruit kabobs: Make fruit even more fun by putting small pieces on toothpicks or skewers. It’s like eating with tiny swords (but much safer and way yummier)
- Pretzel sticks and dip: Dip, dip, hooray! Serve up some pretzel sticks with a side of hummus, cream cheese, or a yogurt-based dip. It’s a fun way to encourage those fine motor skills, and let’s be honest, everything tastes better with a dip.
- Mini sandwiches with fun shapes: Use cookie cutters to create sandwiches in different shapes, like hearts, stars, or animals. Toddlers will enjoy eating these fun-shaped sandwiches and may even have fun pretending with them.
- Edible necklace: String some cereal loops or dried fruit on a piece of yarn, and voilà, your toddler has a fashionable and edible necklace. Your toddler can wear and nibble on the necklace as they please.
- 8. Fun snack container: Keep those snacks in a pill container, and watch your toddler get excited about opening each section to discover the snack treasure inside. My kids are also entertained by opening and closing the container all flight.
My Favorite Way to Pack Airplane Snacks For Toddlers
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Final Thoughts:
I promise that being prepared with some yummy snacks and airplane food for your toddler will make the flight much more enjoyable.
When my kids are snacking, I even sometimes have time to catch up on my favorite book or Netflix show.
Parents of toddlers know how awesome that is!
Book that flight and give these snacks a try.
