Travel With a Toddler: feeding tips and must-know travel hacks

Traveling with a toddler doesn't have to feel like survival mode. We're two dietitian moms sharing our best tips for travel snacks, feeding routines, and handling the inevitable mess - so you can actually enjoy the adventure!

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Surveys show that traveling with a toddler is 7,548x more chaotic than traveling with a baby, which is 15,320x more difficult than traveling as a couple. 

Okay, fine. We made those numbers up! But if you've ever wrestled a squirming toddler through airport security, desperately shushed a screaming baby on a flight, or longingly watched a childless couple sip wine at the gate, you know it feels true.

Between the two of us, we've traveled with young kids enough times to understand both the overwhelm and the unexpected joy that comes with seeing the world through their eyes.

Here's what we've learned: family travel doesn't have to feel like survival mode. When you have a few smart strategies in your back pocket, getting away with little ones can feel lighter, more manageable, and even -  dare we say - enjoyable!

We're sharing our favorite dietitian-mom insights to help you feel confident, prepared, and ready to actually enjoy the journey - snacks, schedules, and all.

The right snack can calm any meltdown

If you read our 'Travelling With Your Baby' blogpost, you'll be familiar with this phrase because it rings true for kids of all ages (and adults too!). The right snack can truly calm (almost) any meltdown and as dietitian mamas we don't mess around when it comes to travel snacks. Our goal? Foods that do more than temporarily distract -  we want options that keep kids satisfied, regulated, and comfortable for the stretch ahead.

When we're away from home, we think about snacks strategically. We choose snacks that deliver lasting fuel instead of quick bursts of energy, so kids aren't asking for more five minutes later.

These kinds of snacks can make all the difference, plus, give parents a little breathing room when plans go sideways (which is almost inevitable). That's also why our bags are always overflowing with food. Extra snacks aren't "just in case" - they're essential for missed connections, longer-than-expected waits, and surprise hunger strikes…and honestly, maybe even time pass when you're on a 5-8 hour flight!

In most cases, your toddler can usually enjoy adapted versions of what you're bringing for yourself - with safety top of mind. Stick to foods your child is already comfortable eating, avoid higher-risk choking foods, and (while it's really tempting!) don't offer snacks in strollers or moving vehicles, where choking risk is increased.

For more recipes you can serve as snacks (or as a part of a balanced meal) check out our FREE eBook 80+ KID-FRIENDLY SNACK IDEAS. 

Below, we've shared some of our favourite *unsponsored* travel-friendly foods for toddlers. You'll find both shelf-stable options and snacks that need to be kept cold. 

Travel snacks for toddlers we love (unsponsored!)

Shelf stable and ready to eat:

• O-Shaped cereal
• Pouches with brain-boosting ingredients (such as Brainiac Neuro+ line or Cerebelly)
• Amara melts
• Freeze-dried fruit
• Low sugar* snack bars (such as Cerebelly, MadeGood, or Oatly Chomps by President's Choice)
• Larabars (2 years +)
• Whole grain crackers
• Harvest Snaps
• Hippeas (no sugar added flavors)
• Seaweed snacks (watch out- the crumbs can be a bit messy!)

*we try to keep our kids core foods low in sugar so that when they have desserts, they really notice the difference and the satisfaction factor is maximized!

Homemade and minimal prep:

• Fruit Pouch Pancakes
• One Bowl Banana Waffles
• Coconut Banana Muffins
• Pumpkin Biscotti, found in our ebook, Whole Food Recipes for Your Baby

• Homemade peanut butter and jam uncrustables or our healthy peanut butter and jam bars
• Pumpkin cookies 
• Oatmeal balls
• Cooked pasta
• Lentil fritter, also in our Whole Food Recipes for Your Baby ebook
• Hard boiled egg (if your kid is currently rejecting eggs, try our five tips for helping toddlers regain a love for eggs!)
• Canned beans (rinsed)
• Cheese, in slices
• Yogurt with hemp hearts
• Soft fruit (such as fresh berries)
• Applesauce
• Hummus or other bean dips like our creamy edamame dip or mild black bean dip
• Fresh vegetables (lower choking risk options - cucumber slices or spears, snap peas, matchstick carrot sticks, bell pepper slices)

We recommend keeping most homemade snacks chilled when on-the-go. More on that below.

We make these homemade uncrustables with whole grain bread, peanut butter, and our chia berry sauce for almost every road trip. They're very filling and our kids think the shape is extra fun. 

This snack box to-go features our Sweet Potato Lentil Fritters, raspberries, and canellini beans. It has it ALL (fibre, protein, and iron!) and is a go-to when we're on the road.

Snackle Boxes are an MVP of traveling with littles. With multiple compartments, they keep snacks organized and mess-free, and little ones love opening each section-turning snack time into a mini screen-free activity. Compact and convenient, they're perfect when space is tight. See our travel gear guide below for our favourite picks!

Keeping snacks safe

When it comes to snacks that need to stay cold erring on the side of caution is always worth it. No one wants to deal with an upset stomach, and it's even less fun when you're away from home and off your routine.

The good news? There are plenty of reliable ways to keep food fresh, safe, and out of the 'temperature danger zone' while traveling. Depending on your lunch box or cooler and how much food you are packing for your trip, consider using multiple ice packs. We've rounded up our go-to cooling essentials and linked them below!

Road Trip Safety Tip: As tempting as car snacks can be, eating on the go is a big choking risk for toddlers. When you can, save meals and snacks for pit stops instead. A quick break lets them eat safely and gives everyone a chance to stretch, too.

Should we stick with our feeding routines?

When talk of travel comes up, many parents wonder things like:

• Should they try to keep their baby's/toddler's "normal feeding schedule"?
• How flexible can they be?
• What if naps, time zones, or travel delays throw everything off?
• How to balance letting kids graze vs. offering structured snack times?

Here's our take as dietitian moms with plenty of travel experience: stick to your usual feeding and sleep routines when you can, but expect (and maybe even embrace) a few bumps along the way.

Keeping a basic routine helps reduce tantrums, boost energy, and keep moods bright. It may take some extra planning, like scheduling pit stops, packing food, and keeping nap gear handy, but in our experience it's well worth the effort.

That said, plans will go sideways sometimes (hello traffic jams, delayed flights, odd business hours, and surprise bodily functions). When that happens, here's what can help:

• Mentally prepare to pivot before you have to. It's simple, but powerful.
• Pack "emergency-only" snacks, toys, or activities.
• Trust your child's ability to adapt. When we model calm and flexibility, they tend to follow suit.

SNACKING SIDE NOTE: We recommend sticking to structured snack times when you can, but we know snacks can be lifesavers while traveling. If your kids snack more than usual on a trip, no stress. You can always get back to your regular routine once you're home.

Be prepared for sticky situations

Toddlers tend to be messy at the best of times. We like to lean into this toddler truth and recommend planning ahead for sticky, wet, and sometimes stinky situations when travelling. In our experience this can pay dividends in comfort and ease on trips of any length. Here's some of our best tips for easing the stress of a mess when travelling:

• Bring two (or more) extras outfits for your kids and one for yourself
• A foldable and  wipeable bib doesn't take up much space and helps keep the mess contained at eating times
• Pack double the wipes, diapers, and pull-ups  you think you'll need
• Be sure to pack a wet bag to keep dirty clothing in (a large Ziplock bag will work too!)

Air travel tips

Toddlers bring unique needs (and surprises) when it comes to flying. Preparing ahead can help set realistic expectations and smooth out the experience. Below are a few practical tips specifically for air travel with toddlers.

Is food allowed for toddlers on the airplane?

When travelling with a toddler, you're allowed to bring liquid formula, food, water, juice, and other essential items in your carry-on or personal bag-even in amounts over 100 mL. These items can go through airport security and on the plane with you, as long as you're travelling with a child under two years of age (0-24 months).

Be prepared to present all liquids, including formula, to the screening officer for inspection at the security checkpoint.

CATSA also recommends avoiding metal-lined containers when packing powdered formula in your carry-on, as they may cause delays during screening.

Do baby food pouches count as liquids?

Yes, food pouches count as a liquid and can be packed in your carry on through security in quantities greater than 100 ml. However, you must be travelling with an infant under two years of age (0-24 months). For more on how to shop for a healthier food pouch, check out this article!

How much baby food is considered "reasonable"?

The volume really will depend on the length of your trip. For example, a three hour road trip, versus a two hour flight versus an overseas flight that is 10 hours will make all the difference. We suggest always packing more than enough including a variety of options! 

Are gel and ice packs allowed? Do they need to be fully frozen? 

Gel and ice packs are typically subject to the liquid restrictions; however, they are exempt from the restrictions on liquids when required to refrigerate baby food, milk, breast milk, formula, water and juice for infants under 2 years of age.

They do not need to be fully frozen as the general expectation is they will thaw over time. 

How can I ease ear pressure for toddlers?

Those first and last few minutes of a flight can be tough on toddler ears. To help, encourage swallowing during these times. If they are willing, offer your toddler a straw cup or water bottle which can help relieve pressure and keep them more comfortable.

Recommended feeding and activity gear to make flying with a baby easier

This blog post is brought to you by three dietitian moms who have 7 kids between us and we've likely conquered more than 75+ flights over the years with babies, toddlers and some big kids by now. To help you, here are some items you may want to snag to make your travel journey run more smoothly. As always, don't buy anything you don't actually need.

1. Gobe Snack Spinner | 2. Freezable Lunch Bag | 3. Pack It Freezer Bag | 4. HydroFlask Travel Cooler | 5. Owala Water Bottle | 6. Sandwich Cutter | 7. Snackle Box | 8. Activity Lap Tray | 9. Travel Wipes Pouch

1. LED Doodle Boards | 2. Busy Truck Book | 3. Paint with Water Book | 4. Busy Board | 5. Calculator | 6. Animal Figures | 7. Play-to-Go Kit | 8. Stick Wow Book | 9. Busy Board Book