Healthy Snacks for Kids and Adults To Keep You Full on Your Next Adventure
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As a mom who often adventures with her kids, I know the importance of having the right snacks on hand. Nobody wants to deal with hangry kids!
Whether hiking, camping, or exploring the woods, having nutrient-dense snacks that my kids will actually eat makes all the difference.
Below, I’ll share some of my favorite healthy snacks for kids and adults to help you fuel up while on your next outdoor adventure.
Why Are Healthy Adventure Snacks Important?
Healthy adventure snacks for you and your toddler can make the difference between a fun outing and a hunger-induced meltdown. These snacks can also help boost your energy levels, allowing you to chase after your kids for longer.
And I don’t know about you, but when I’ve got hunger pangs, I’m not the best parent I can be.
If you’re eating unhealthy snacks, you’re not getting the nutrition you need to keep up with your kids. And if your kids are eating unhealthy snacks, you could run into the dreaded sugar crash.
That’s not to say there isn’t a place for some less-than-healthy options. For example, I love having a few chips with my sandwich during a picnic lunch. But it shouldn’t be your primary source of food while out.
So, What Should You Look For in a Snack?
There are three things that I look for when I’m packing adventure snacks for my family:
- Portability
- Nutrition density
- Enjoyability
First, you want to find snacks that are easy to carry. You don’t want to be lugging a huge bag or cooler around while hiking in the woods.
That doesn’t mean you have to always opt for pre-packaged foods (though, no shame if you do!). There are plenty of options for homemade snacks. And fresh fruit and vegetables can be packed in airtight containers and easily tossed in your bag.
I always try to find nutritionally dense things to take with us. Snacks with protein and complex carbs are the best options. If you can get both in your snack, it keeps you full and gives you long-lasting energy.
Things I like to take (and my young kids actually eat) are:
- Bananas
- Cheese
- Peanut Butter Sandwiches
- Homemade muffins
- Homemade energy bites
- Any fruit
The last (but definitely not least important) thing I consider is enjoyability. Let’s face it—if it’s a food you wouldn’t normally eat at home, you won’t eat it on the trail.
And as I’m sure you’re no doubt aware, getting your kids to eat something healthy they don’t like is next to impossible. So doing this will only lead to more frustration for everyone, and no one will have a good time.
Homemade Adventure Snack Ideas
Making adventure snacks at home can be a great option if you have the time. If you can get your kids involved, they’ll love being able to eat what you make while out.
Here are some homemade snack ideas that are easy to make and perfect for your next outdoor adventure:
Energy Balls
Energy balls are a great snack to have on hand during your outdoor activities. They hit all the boxes for me—they’re portable, nutritionally dense, and enjoyable.
They’re also easy to make and are highly customizable. You can easily find a large number of recipes on the internet. They usually contain nut butter, a sweetener, and other ingredients like coconut, nuts, dried fruit, etc.
Toss it all together, make bite-sized balls, refrigerate, and enjoy!
Trail Mix
I love trail mix—a classic adventure snack that is easy to make and customize. However, depending on how old your kids are, it may make sense to skip this one until the nuts aren’t as much of a choking hazard.
But if that’s not something you need to worry about, you can make your own just how you like it.
Just mix your favorite nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. I also like adding in some chocolate chips to make it more fun.
I like to get the ingredients for trail mix at a bulk food store to make it a less expensive option.
Homemade Granola Bars
Homemade granola bars are another great snack option. There are plenty of great pre-packaged granola bars, but making your own ensures you know what’s going into them is healthy.
Another great customizable snack is homemade granola bars, which also tick all the boxes I’m looking for. They’re also easy to make. A quick Google search will produce a recipe that works for your family.
Other Homemade Snack Options:
- Veggie Sticks with Hummus—hummus is easy to make and can be customized.
- Hard-boiled eggs—these are easy to transport and keep you full.
- Healthy muffins—there are so many healthy muffin recipes out there, finding one that will work for your family’s needs won’t be difficult.
- Homemade Jerky—If you can make jerky at home, this is a great option.
- Cheese cubes and whole-grain crackers—This is an easy and quick option to put together.
Store-Bought Adventure Snack Options
Homemade snacks sound great, but what if you don’t have time for them? No judgment here! Raising kids takes a ton of effort, so time can be in short supply.
But not having the time to make your snacks doesn’t mean you have to feed your kids junk on the trail.
There are plenty of decent pre-packaged snacks these days. It means you may have to read a few more labels, but finding something that makes your life easier will be worth it.
Here are some of my favorite store-bought adventure snack options:
Fruit Pouches and Cheese Sticks
My kid loves fruit pouches. Even if he’s eating something unhealthy, he wants a fruit pouch to go with it.
They’re super portable, tend not to have a lot of unnecessary ingredients, and can be enjoyed by both kids and parents alike.
Pair this with pre-packaged cheese sticks, and voila! You’ve figured out your protein and complex carbs.
Nut Butter Packs and Fresh Fruit or Crackers
Nut butter packs are another great snack option. I know my kids would eat peanut butter by the spoonful if we let them.
They’re high in protein and healthy fats, making them a great energy source. Also, they’re easy to pack and carry.
Pair them with fresh fruit or healthy crackers, and you have a nutritionally dense snack option. Apple and peanut butter is one of my favorite combinations.
Pre-packaged Bars
There are some great options for pre-packaged bars out there and some not-so-great options. Reading the label will be necessary to sort through the options.
We’ve found some bars that are toddler-sized and that my kid loves. He eats them all the time, even when we’re not out adventuring. And I don’t feel bad about it because they’re much healthier than many other options.
They are:
- Oaty Chomps by Love Child
- Go Pure Fruit & Oat Bars by Leclerc
- Mini Cereal Bars by PC Organics
Hydration and Adventure Snacks
It’s essential to stay hydrated while out adventuring. Many kids don’t know their cues yet, so you may need to prompt them to drink water while you’re out.
If they don’t like plain old water, maybe pack a water bottle with ice. Or opt for an electrolyte-rich drink like coconut water.
If you’re still struggling to get enough water into them, you can be a bit sneaky by providing snacks with a high water content, like watermelon or cucumber.
What’s the Best Way to Store Snacks on an Adventure?
When packing snacks for your adventure, opt for airtight containers. This will prevent them from getting crushed or leaking. I do this even with pre-packaged snacks, so I don’t have to worry about my toddler being upset that something is broken.
There’s no need to spend big bucks here. You can find plenty of budget-friendly snack containers that’ll do the trick.
You can also consider portioning the snacks in small snack bags for easier access. I love using reusable snack bags whenever possible.
Fuel Up and Enjoy Your Next Adventure!
Having delicious and nutritious adventure snacks can make all the difference in your outdoor activities with your kids. Whether you make your own snacks or opt for store-bought, there’s something out there to keep everyone happy.
With these snack ideas and tips, you’ll be ready to fuel up and enjoy your next adventure!
And if you’re looking for easy outdoor activities for your kids, check out this post!
