I don’t know about you – but it seems like we are always running somewhere – to/from school, field trips, sporting events, play dates and other activities! It can be tricky to plan meals ahead, especially when things pop up, so I recommend building a Snack in the Back kit – a tub or box of snacks and water so that you can make it from Point A, Point B and Point C without stopping at Point McD’s (or other fast food).
I know I’m guilty of being unprepared, which means kids are hungry and rowdy in the back of the car and you’re forced to stop off and drive through. I’m not sure if it’s more for convenience, sanity or both. BUT, although they market themselves as being affordable, fast food really is not that great of a deal considering the quality of food you’re getting (nutrition and taste) and the prices seem to keep going up. So let’s prepare ourselves so that a trip through the drive thru becomes a special treat not a meal of desperation or need.
A Snack in the Back kit is super easy. Grab a small storage bin or basket and fill it with non-perishable snack items that your kids will eat. I had this adorable zip bin with a fabric that is easy to wipe down. Any container would do – a small rubbermaid bin, a tote bag or even a cardboard box. Having a lid is nice, so the items can avoid direct sunlight.
Here are some possible items to put in your Snack in the Back kit:
- Granola bars
- Crackers
- Fruit snacks
- Single-serving peanut butter, jam
- Fruit mash-ups in the pouches. I love these because it’s not a bunch of carbs! So many on-the-go snacks are carbs it seems.
- Dried fruit
- Trail mix
- Nuts
- Water
- Juice boxes
- Horizon Organic/Earth’s Best milk boxes (don’t need to be refrigerated)
Other items to include: Hand sanitizer, napkins, baby wipes, and first aid kit
This is also a great thing to have in the car in case of an emergency. I recommend keeping it in the back of the car, out of sight from the kids – because if it’s next to the kids they may want to snack even if they aren’t hungry.
These are retailers that I recommend checking out for your snacks ::
- Grocery Outlet is a great place for brand name, organic snacks but it’s hit or miss what you’ll find. I found Earth’s Best milk boxes 3 for $1 and some other good snacks at Grocery Outlet.
- Big Lots can also be a great place to check out.
- Amazon is good especially for organic, toddler-friendly snacks. Check out their organic section here. FREE shipping and an extra discount when you select Subscribe & Save.
- Target is always a good go to place for decent prices on snacks and you can always use your Target coupons and manufacturer coupons.
Buy items to replenish your Snack in the Back kit as you find them on sale – don’t wait until it’s empty.
How do you save on foods-on-the-go for your kiddos? What kinds of foods would you put in your Snack in the Back?
Bobbi T says
That is an excellent idea that I already use with my kiddos. And, yes, the above posters are correct–I wouldn’t leave it in my car in the heat either! However, since I live in the Pacific NW and it only gets really hot for about a month, the rest of the time we don’t have to worry about gummy snacks melting. I also pack empty grocery store sacks, too, so there is a place for the garbage to go!
Beth says
You recommend leaving the items in your car, but like the lady from Florida, I would be careful what you put in it. If I am correct I believe you are from the northwest and it does get hot here in the summer so you have to be careful. Also, you recommend putting water bottles in the box. I read that the plastic from the bottle released chemicals into the water when it gets hot in the car and then you drink it. Cheryl Crow got breast cancer doing this. Please be careful.
Deanna says
It’s a good idea in theory but with this Florida heat, most items wouldn’t survive in the backseat, eve for just a few hours. Fruit snacks would turn to liquid, the juice would be scorching hot (any liquid really), peanut butter would turn into hot liquid…
I do make sure I leave the house prepared (just as important as putting on my daughter shoes, really) and carry a backpack with us everywhere we go and that includes snacks and water and juice. I just can’t see leaving it in the car though.
Kathi says
I have toddler in a carseat so I use a pop up laundry basket (the kind with the openning on the side, it fits perfectly on the ground behind the seat. Fill it with toys, extra diapers/wipes, and a tote of snacks and drink boxes.