<\/picture><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nWhen you travel by plane, everybody wants your kids to be content during air time: you, your kids, and maybe especially, the person sitting right next to your kids. (Hah!)<\/p>\n
While plane travel always comes with uncertainty, you can fly in the pilot\u2019s seat when it comes to the snacks you bring along. And if you choose well (and remember to pack your kids\u2019 headphones!) you just might earn yourself a peaceful, tantrum-free flight.<\/p>\n
Check out our list of healthy snack ideas that you can pack and serve mid-flight. Then keep scrolling for some snack-packing tips, and a quick run-down of the current TSA food rules. <\/p>\n <\/picture> <\/picture><\/noscript><\/figure>\nBest Airplane Snacks<\/h2>\n Homemade Snack Ideas<\/strong><\/p>\n\nMuffins.<\/strong> Muffins are easy to eat on the go, low-mess, energy-dense, and you can make them ahead of time and freeze them to be ready to go on your trip. Some of our favorites are: Sweet Spinach Muffins, Power Packed Fruit and Veggie Muffins, or Best Ever Bran Muffins.<\/li>\nGranola Bars.<\/strong> This is another kid-pleasing snack that you can pack full of healthy ingredients like whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Grab-and-Go Granola Bars or Nut-free Chewy Granola Bars fit the bill.<\/li>\nEnergy Bites.<\/strong> These are another make ahead snack that travels well and it full of nutrition to keep your kids happy and satisfied. We have lots of Energy Bite recipes for you!<\/li>\nHomemade Cookies. <\/strong> We like to bring cookies with oatmeal to stabilize blood sugar and keep your kids satisfied. <\/li>\nHard-boiled Eggs.<\/strong> Peel them ahead of time so you don\u2019t have to deal with the shells.<\/li>\nFruit. <\/strong>Choose fruits that aren\u2019t super juicy to minimize mess. We like grapes, apples, and bananas.<\/li>\nRaw Veggies. <\/strong>Veggies that travel well are baby carrots, sugar snap peas, and bell pepper strips.<\/li>\nMini Sandwiches. <\/strong>Prepare mini sandwiches using just a few ingredients like bread, lean protein (such as turkey or chicken), and a slice of cheese. Using less toppings is less messy, satisfying and travel well. <\/li>\nMini Bagels with Cream Cheese<\/strong><\/li>\nRoasted Chickpeas<\/strong><\/li>\nCelery Sticks with Peanut Butter<\/strong><\/li>\nMini Wraps<\/strong> (with deli meat or veggies)<\/li>\nApple Slices<\/strong> with lemon or lime juice. <\/li>\nHomemade Protein Bars. <\/strong>These are seriously the best and you can leave the chocolate off for less mess. <\/li>\nNo Bake Snack Bar. <\/strong><\/li>\nHomemade Fruit Leather. <\/strong><\/li>\nChex Mix. <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nPackaged Snack Ideas<\/strong><\/p>\nWith all the stress of packing, sometimes it is easier to buy packaged snacks that you can just grab and go. And even easier is when you can order them from Amazon and they come right to your house! <\/p>\n
\nFruit Pouches.<\/strong> Even though these are a liquid, fruit pouches are 100% allowed on planes. They fall under the \u201cbaby food\u201d category, which you have the green light to bring. This variety pack is our favorite. <\/li>\nDried Fruit. <\/strong> Mini boxes of raisins, yogurt covered raisins, sour fruity raisins, dried apricots and banana chips are great choices. <\/li>\nCheese Sticks<\/strong>. Individually wrapped cheese sticks are a convenient and protein-rich snack that kids love<\/li>\nSingle Serving Nut Packs. <\/strong> These pistachios packs are our favorite. <\/li>\nFruit Bars<\/strong>. These tasty bars made from real fruit are a hit among kids. Look for options without added sugars or artificial ingredients.<\/li>\nVeggie Chips<\/strong>. Swap traditional potato chips for healthier veggie chips made from dried vegetables like sweet potatoes, beets, or kale. They\u2019re crunchy and nutritious!<\/li>\nOn-the-go Trail Mix Packs<\/strong>. We love this kind, and also this kind. <\/li>\nIndividual Popcorn<\/strong> Packs. <\/li>\nNut Butter Packs<\/strong>. We like these peanut butter packs, almond butter packs, and also these chocolate hazelnut packs! <\/li>\nCrackers with Cheese<\/strong><\/li>\nPita Chips with Hummus Pack.<\/strong> These pita chips come in a variety pack. <\/li>\nYogurt-covered Pretzels<\/strong>. This brand is delicious. <\/li>\nSeaweed snacks.<\/strong> More and more kids are coming to love these savory sheets made from nori seaweed. <\/li>\nBeef jerky<\/strong>. These small beef jerky packs are perfect for travel. <\/li>\nRice Cakes<\/strong>. We love these different flavors. <\/li>\nSqueezable Yogurt: <\/strong>Single-serve squeezable yogurt pouches are mess-free and a great source of calcium and probiotics.<\/li>\nMini Lara Bars<\/strong><\/li>\nBaby Food and finger foods. <\/strong>This variety pack of puffs, yogurt melts, and crunchy snacks is perfect. <\/li>\nGranola Bites<\/strong>. We like the strawberry\/cookies and cream and also the mixed berry\/chocolate chip. <\/li>\nFig Bars.<\/strong><\/li>\nCrunchy Dried Fruit Packs. <\/strong><\/li>\nSuckers. <\/strong>The sucking action can help prevent your kids ears from hurting during takeoff and landing. <\/li>\nAnimal Crackers.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nSnack-Packing Tips <\/h2>\n\nKeep snacks in zippered plastic bags.<\/strong> As much as we love reusable baggies, dealing with reusables during travel is a huge pain. Pack snacks in individual portions that are easy to get and hand to kids one at a time. Then hand the empty baggies to the flight attendant when he comes down the aisle. You are allowed to take yogurt tubes, fruit pouches and peanut butter packets less than 3.4 ounces through security.<\/li>\nPack your own water bottles and sippy cups.<\/strong> If your kids get thirsty and you have to wait for the drink cart, a tantrum might be on its way. Bring your water bottles empty, and then fill it up after you go through security. <\/li>\nBring wet-wipes. These are great for spills, sticky hands and just freshening up. <\/strong><\/li>\nPack a small backpack for your kids with a few things they love.<\/strong> Include one or two books, some snacks, and their water bottle. Kids love this independence; even toddlers love to be in charge of their own \u201cstuff.\u201d And you won\u2019t have to carry as much.<\/li>\nFor breast-fed infants, nurse with confidence. <\/strong>A crowded plane probably isn\u2019t your favorite place to feed your baby, but your fellow passengers will appreciate a calm, happy baby who\u2019s allowed to nurse as he pleases. Nursing can also help relieve pressure buildup in baby\u2019s ears during takeoff and landing.<\/li>\nFor bottle-fed infants, pre-measure formula or buy single-serving packets.<\/strong> Bring your own water to use. Make sure NOT to use water from the tap in the passenger bathroom for any any part of preparing or cleaning your baby\u2019s bottles.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n