Master List Of Beach Snacks To Share With The Kids

Beach Snacks

When we head out to hit the beach, we always go armed with toddler snacks to help us enjoy a full day there—without the need to leave to find food. And the kids are always running, swimming, and playing, which means they build up a big appetite…and I do, too. So, we need a lot of kids snacks! (And easy summer meals.) This post includes a range of beach snacks, from ones that hold up well in a bag and in the heat to ones that will help everyone stay cool and work as hydrating foods, too. These ideas also work well for general summer snacking, whether at home, at a lake, at the pool, or a day out of the house. Use this collection of healthy beach snacks to plan what to pack for your next day trip or vacation. (You may also like Peach Smoothie, Raspberry Smoothie, Road Trip Snacks, and How to Freeze Peaches.)

Shelf-Stable Beach Snacks

These easy snacks don’t need to be kept cool to be safe, so they are easy to pack even without a cooler and are easy to serve. You may still want to keep them in the shade (and/or a cooler) simply because they will taste better if they’re not hot. Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox. Pair these with a drink like a a full water bottle for kids of cold water. All of these are safe for toddlers and can be shared with older kids and adults.

Crackers (such as Triscuits thin crisps, Ritz, Breton) Z Bars Dino Bars (save 10% with my code YUMMY10) Mini Larabars Kind Kids Oat Granola Bars Fig Bars Made Good Bars Homemade Granola Bars Dry cereal (such as Cheerios, Kix, Chex) Snap Pea Crisps Puffs Bienna Chickpea Puffs Freeze-dried fruit Dried fruit

TIP: You can pack any of these that aren’t in individual packages in snack containers to keep them protected in your beach bag.

Beach Snacks to Pack in a Cooler

We almost always bring at least an insulated cooler bag to help us keep our food and drinks cold on beach days. Here are some easy snack ideas to pack inside—with an ice pack or two to keep them cool. You can also freeze applesauce pouches and yogurt tubes to be both an ice pack and a cool snack!

Applesauce pouches Baby food pouches Yogurt tubes Cheese sticks Drinkable yogurt Hard-boiled eggs Fresh fruit (diced or thinly sliced as needed, such as fresh apple slices) or fruit salad Fresh veggies (such as thinly sliced cucumbers, carrots, or bell peppers) Hummus or guacamole and and crackers Milk carton Diced cooked chicken or lunch meat Leftovers (like diced Banana Oatmeal Pancakes or Pesto Pasta Salad) Muffins for kids Toddler smoothie in reusable pouch

TIP: For more complete meal ideas, check out my Top Ten Lunchbox Ideas.

Favorite Beach Snacks for Babies

For babies and 1-year-olds, I’d keep things simple with foods that are easy to eat including:

Smoothies or yogurt in a reusable pouch Pouches (with a fruit or veggie puree, or a protein-rich food like yogurt or cottage cheese) O cereal Baby puffs Banana Healthy Banana Cookies Halved blueberries or quartered grapes or tomatoes Shredded cheese Diced pancake ABC Baby Muffins (which has oats, whole-wheat goodness and produce) Breast milk or formula

TIP: Find my go-to favorite early finger foods for baby.

Favorite Beach Snacks for Adults

These are some of our favorites to pack for the parents and care providers at the beach.

Hydrating foods like watermelon, peaches, grapes, or apples Peanut butter pretzels Almonds or peanuts or other preferred nut Cheese sticks Sandwich Drinkable yogurt Trail mix or snack mixes Potato chips or popcorn (particularly with an icy cold drink)

How to Keep Beach Snacks Safe

The easiest way to keep food safe when out in the heat is to store it in a cooler with ice packs and to keep the cooler in the shade if possible. Limit the amount of times the cooler is opened and closed (which lets hot air in) as much as you can. You can also lower any risks of food borne illness by following basic food safety rules when prepping foods. TIP: Read more on outdoor food safety from the CDC.

Best Gear to Keep Food Cool

Any insulated lunch bag for kids or small cooler can work to help keep foods cold. We have a Yeti cooler, which is amazingly effective at holding in cold temperatures. Some of our favorite products include:

Hydroflask Kids Water Bottle Yeti Mini Daytrip Cooler Kids Insulated Lunch Bags Thin ice packs

Use any of these with your beach snacks and you’re good to go! P.S. Don’t forget the travel potty! I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please comment below!