Planning a summer road trip? As a mom, I’m all about ditching the junk food piles. Check out this GENIUS idea for road trip snacks and a free printable car bingo—because I love you!
Road trips can be so much fun….. Until they aren’t.
You know what I’m talking about?
The kids hit an age where you suddenly start hearing, “She’s looking out my window!!”
Yes, that’s an actual argument from my childhood.
A few weeks ago, we experienced our very first crabby road trip on the way home from vacation. I honestly believe my lack of planning for healthy road trip snacks played a big part in the grumpiness. Instead of packing nutritious options, we ended up making frequent stops at gas stations or fast food joints, filling up on unhealthy snacks like candy bars and potato chips.
That’s when the idea hit me: I needed to create healthy snack boxes! This is the perfect trick for eating nutritious snacks while on the go!
Plus, don’t forget to download and print the free car bingo for your next road trip at the end!
What Snacks to Pack for Traveling on a Road Trip
When packing for a road trip, try doing it without your kids. I know you want them to pick their snacks, but if you do the planning and bring out surprises they weren’t expecting, you will hear fewer complaints and more appreciation for the love you are serving them.
If you really want to involve them, let each child choose one good behavior treat or a halfway-there snack.
In my experience, the best road trip snacks hit all the important categories: protein, dairy, fruit, veggies, and grains or nuts. We only bring water to keep everyone hydrated. Sitting in a car all day can leave you parched, and it is easier to clean up than sugary drinks.
Make sure to choose small items that won’t roll off their laminated free printable car bingo cards, which I will talk about shortly.
Our Favorite Snacks
Here are some of our top picks for your snack box:
- Nuts: Toss in some cashews, almonds, walnuts, pecans, or trail mix for healthy fats.
- Cheese: Our family favorite is Tillamook cheese!
- Dried Fruit: We have tried it all! Banana chips, freeze-dried berries (freeze-dried blueberries are my favorite), dehydrated apple slices, or orange slices from Trader Joe’s, or yogurt-covered raisins.
- Sweet Treats: I believe in moderation, so I love to include some chocolate chips, dark chocolate peanut butter cups, or M&M candies when the kids are in the mood for a little treat. This helps us to not go overboard too.
- Vegetables: Carrot sticks, bell peppers, celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, and snap peas are all great options.
- Crackers or Pretzels: The kids love pretzel sticks and crackers, which are perfect companions for cheese and pepperoni. They can also be dipped in nut butters like almond or peanut butter, or even in hummus or guacamole for an extra tasty fiber-packed snack.
- Protein: We have enjoyed mini sandwiches with chicken or ham and cheese, beef jerky, hard-boiled eggs, and even overnight oats mixed with protein powder! The world is your oyster here!
If you opt for items that need refrigeration, be sure to bring a cooler to keep your snack boxes fresh until you are ready to enjoy them!
What Foods to Pack on a Road Trip?
It’s not just about packing snacks that cover all the food groups—it’s about creating a better experience. Trust me, you’ll feel so much more satisfied when you’re not just munching on sweets or salty treats the entire trip.
Here’s how I know, when I was in the hospital with Hyperemesis Gravidarum I learned from the doctors that when someone has been as sick as I was and/or on feeding tubes, they want to get them back to eating, but not just because it’s food, they want them CHEWING again. Our bodies and minds are connected to the motion of chewing food and we mentally will rise up and get better, make better choices, etc. all because we are experiencing different flavors and textures and chewing the food.
Pretty cool right?
Selecting A Variety of Flavors and Textures
You should pack a variety of foods that have different textures and flavors.
- Naturally Sweet
- Salty
- Crunchy
- Savory
- Chewy
- Big and Small items
If you can try to fit your snacks into all of those categories you will mentally feel better and physically more satisfied.
That’s why Tillamook cheese is a must in our finger sandwiches. The flavor is rich and perfectly balanced, making it impossible to skip. The slices are just the right thickness and are so easy to cut in half for two mini sandwiches. It’s like they’ve thought of everything—trust me, it’s all them, not me!
For the kids, we went with Colby Jack. They love its mild flavor, and our youngest thinks it’s hilarious to call it “leopard cheese” because of the spots.
Cade is all about the Pepper Jack, and honestly, I get it. When you’re trying to stay health-conscious, you still need variety. Cheese is the perfect solution—it gives you that good dose of dairy while keeping things flavorful without relying on sauces or dressings. Pepper Jack delivers that creamy, mild cheese taste with just the right amount of heat, making it extra satisfying for road trips.
Craft Box for Snacks
I’ve discovered that craft organizers, like the ones used for beads or supplies, work perfectly as snack boxes. You can find them at a craft store, Walmart, or even Amazon!
The one I use is small, flat, and has adjustable compartments, so you can customize the sizes to fit whatever you’re packing. I love how versatile it is—it easily holds everything from big crackers and rectangle sandwiches to tiny raisins. It makes road trip snacking so much easier!
I have one for each kiddo and Cade and I share one.
Road Trip Snacks for the NON-Pinterest Mom
Here’s the deal. I’m a no-fuss mom. I’m not a Pinterest mom (except when it comes to recipes). But let’s be real, having bags and boxes spilling crumbs everywhere, with too much junk food and not enough of what you actually need, is a road trip nightmare. Moms, are you with me?
The kids are bickering, the fruit snacks are gone, wrappers are scattered everywhere, and somehow everyone is still hungry. By the time you reach your destination, you feel awful. You are not truly hungry, but somehow you feel famished. That is what happens when you spend hours munching on junk food.
Your body is craving real food. It needs greens, protein, and dairy to actually feel satisfied.
Your Body Isn’t Hungry
Did you know that when you’re tired, your body tricks you into thinking you’re hungry? The same thing happens when you’re thirsty, and if you don’t give your body the nutrients it actually needs, it keeps sending hunger signals. It’s no wonder so many of us struggle with diet issues.
That’s why we partnered with Tillamook for this post. As a woman who needs calcium and a mom of kids who do too, I knew it was the perfect fit to share how I’ve transformed the way my family travels.
What Cheese is Best?
Being sick was a turning point for me when it came to choosing high-quality foods. After I got healthy, my body couldn’t handle junk food the same way. It craved real nutrition, and I felt so humbled and grateful just to be able to eat again that I had no desire for anything fake.
So, why does this matter?
When you’re on a road trip, you need foods that hold up. Trust me on this—I dare you to experiment. Anything other than Tillamook cheese develops a strange texture. Other dairy brands just aren’t as pure, and I know this for a fact.
Tillamook uses the highest quality milk, so their cheese doesn’t get greasy, hard, or filmy. Other brands add so much water that their cheese starts to break down, and guess what gets left behind? Meanwhile, everyone keeps reaching for the Tillamook.
IT’S SO GOOD!
Tillamook Cheese: The Ultimate Road Trip Snack Staple
So in case you missed it, Tillamook is best. Try their Farmstyle Thick Cut Sliced Cheese! They save you time as they are already cut for you, plus it’s thicker more delicious cuts, and finally, they have all of the flavors you love!
- Colby Jack Cheese
- Pepper Jack Cheese
- Extra Sharp White Cheddar
- Medium Cheddar
- Swiss
- Provolone
- Monterey Jack
- Muenster
- Sharp Cheddar
- Smoked Black Pepper
You can see all of them on the Tillamook Site as well.
And want to know what our readers love most? You all voted on our Instagram Stories and these were your favorites!
- Medium Cheddar
- Colby Jack
- Pepper Jack
Hey, did you know we have an entire Highlight on our Instagram Page where you can watch all things Tillamook, even how I assembled these boxes on a live video? Check out our Instagram!
Tips For Road Trip Snacks
Just a few little tips on road trip snacks- or mom hacks if you will!
- If you’re bringing yogurt, dips, dressings, or nut butters, try this trick: line a compartment with a piece of plastic wrap, fill it with your dip, and twist the top closed. When you’re ready to use it, just untwist it, and once it’s empty, twist it back up and toss it. Easy and mess-free.
- Pack snacks that don’t have juices or wrappers to minimize trash and sticky fingers.
- Use a craft box with a tight, secure lid that keeps everything in its place. Make sure it closes snugly to prevent snacks from spilling into each other.
- Add a little fun with a simple prize for good behavior or car bingo winners. It could be a small toy, a treat, a book, or even letting them choose the next song.
Now who wants a free printable?! We run these car bingo sheets off on card stock and then get them laminated at UPS.
Tillamook
Many of you may have seen our recent trip to Tillamook to visit their newly renovated factory. If you’re looking for a road trip idea might I suggest heading to the Oregon coast?
You should stay at the Headlands Coastal Lodge in Pacific City which is only about 20-30 minutes from Tillamook and totally breathtaking.
We had an incredible visit and I couldn’t end our post without a look back at the incredible experience.
Even their menu has changed at the factory, but don’t worry, those stinking amazing fried cheese curds are still there. My goodness. I wish I had a picture for you.
Every time I post this picture to social media everyone responds about that classic carpet and then immediately asks, “So are you going to head out to Tillamook?!”
Heck. Yes.
You know we can’t ever head to the Pacific Northwest without a stop in at our favorite brand!!
Have you checked out Fit Mitten Kitchen yet? My goodness, that lady is going to take over the world.
We had the best time with the farmers. I adore that they ADORE their animals like family. This isn’t merely a livelihood for them it’s their everything. Their passion, their joy, their family. If you’re going to be buying food these days versus going all blast from the past and raising your own, my goodness let it be brands that care like Tillamook does.
Life is But a Dish and The Modern Proper, such lovely ladies and GREAT Tillamook recipes on their sites!
Life is But a Dish is such a great friend, make sure you check her out!
And this yogurt is a recipe I’ll be sharing very soon. It was so good!
See All of our Fantastic Tillamook Recipes From Over The Years Below!
- Cheese Stuffed Pretzels
- Cheesy Zucchini Corn Casserole
- Pesto Pepperoni and Sausage Grilled Pizza
- The Most Delicious Slow Cooker Taco Dip
- My Favorite Cheesy Potato Casserole Side Dish [+Video]
- Spicy Queso Pasta Primavera
Olga
I loooove this post! Thank you for sharing your amazing ideas. Where did you get that container for the snacks? I need it!!!!
Sweet Basil
Hi Olga! I actually got it in the jewelry section of Hobby Lobby. Look for little organizers for beads and things like that in the craft section. I just give it a good rinse before using it. I hope this helps. Thanks for your support!
Leslie
I love this idea for travelers of all ages but I have to ask, are the craft boxes made from food safe plastic?
Sweet Basil
Great question! These ones are, yes, but be sure to check your container first because some aren’t.