Best Snacks to Take on Your Next Family Field Trip

Traveling can get wild. For real, kids go crazy if they’ve been in a car or hotel room for too long. People start getting on each other’s nerves — you know, the usual stuff we all love!

But you don’t have to give in to the madness. There’s something that can help get things back on track: Snacks — lots of them.

Sweet treats, salty munchies. Either can be perfect for a family adventure, but it all depends on the type of journey you’re taking (outdoor or indoor) and how long the ride will be.

Lasting Fuel For Your Outdoor Adventures

Whether you’re spending the day hiking, boating or touring a new city, you’ll need plenty of energy to keep your crew from getting burned out.

Snacks for outdoor adventures need to be portable enough to fit in a pocket or small bag. You’ll want foods that can give the family energy to last over a long day. Here are some awesome ideas:

1. Beef Sticks: Smokey, sweet and made with 100% beef. These sticks contain 13 grams of protein per serving and are individually wrapped for easy travel.
2. Fruit Strips: Kids love candy. Hell, adults love candy. But if you want to keep snacks more nutritious, fruit strips can be a great alternative for the sweet tooth.
3. Trail Mix: Is there a more perfect snack for hiking? It has the word trail right in the name! Nuts, raisins and other ingredients give this salty-sweet snack enough protein, carbs and fats to keep everyone moving.
4. Energy Bars: Another great option for families with sugar cravings. Protein bars and granola bars come in dessert-like flavors such as peanut butter, chocolate and even birthday cake.

Mess-Free Treats for a Long Car Ride

Ah, yes…family road trips. The best and worst of times. It’s reminds us of watching Clark Griswold try to soldier on, trying to stay upbeat when things are going off the rails.

You gotta wonder—would things have gone smoother if he just packed some awesome snacks? Hunger does weird things to people. Maybe that whole Wally World meltdown could have been avoided…

But anyway, you can help keep long car rides happy by bringing food. It’s important to pick mess-free snacks that are easy to eat in the car.

Individually wrapped and resealable items are best for avoiding crumbs. Here are a few choices to keep in mind:

1. Beef Jerky: Meat snacks like jerky are satisfying and tasty and can last a few days in the car after the pouch is open. The resealable pouch makes it easy to bring along for the ride while avoiding spills.
2. Dried Fruit: People of all ages love fruit, but the juices, peels and other debris can make the car gross quickly. Dried fruit solves that problem while giving the snack a more candy-like appeal.
3. Granola Bars: The key to finding the right granola bars for a car trip is the texture. Choose the ones with soft and squishy consistencies over the crunchy alternatives that crumble and leave crumbs.
4. Squeezable Applesauce: Quick, easy to eat and wholesome. Applesauce has been a favorite snack for generations, and a squeezable pouch removes any sloppiness from eating it.

Packable Snacks for Indoor Family Fun

If your plan for the day or multiple days is predominantly indoors, the snacks should depend on the type of bag you’re carrying with you and any other storage available.

Let’s say your adventure will include go-karts or a trampoline park. The biggest bag you’re likely to bring is a backpack, but even that might be too much.

Realistically, the bag you have is probably going to be a purse or a simple drawstring backpack. This means you’ll want to stick with smaller items that are individually wrapped or resealable.

Here are a few bag-friendly indoor snacks to consider:

1. Steak Strips and Bars: These meat snacks contain a protein wallop, just like jerky and beef sticks, but in a very low profile. They also come in a wide range of flavors from mild to teriyaki to barbecue to habanero. 
2. Fruit Snacks: Sometimes it’s not about getting full. It’s just about getting a quick burst of flavor. Fruit snacks taste like candy and are wrapped in small packs that can easily be kept in a pocket.
3. Cereal Bars: Gotta hankering for baked goods? Don’t we all? Cereal bars can satisfy that hankering in portable, individually wrapped servings.
4. Granola Clusters: These are a little messier than granola bars, but at least they’re available in resealable pouches. Granola is a wholesome snack that tastes great but won’t weigh you down.

Keep Your Wild Family Happy With Jack Link’s

When your family is always on the go, things can get crazy in a hurry. People with a wild side need filling snacks to keep their activities fueled no matter where they take place or when they’re happening.

Jack Link’s meat snacks are the ultimate food for busy families who don’t have time to slow down. Our jerky, beef sticks and steak strips can be brought to any gathering or event.

They’re mouthwatering, portable and won’t leave the place looking like a disaster after you’ve eaten them. Shop our products now and stock up for your next trip!