Summer’s here, and for most families, that means trips to the park and beach. Such excursions can be spontaneous, but it’s best to spend some time planning, especially when it comes to the food and snacks to bring along.
Packing meals for the park is relatively straightforward. However, a visit to a seaside can be tricky because of the sand. No matter what precautions you take, it has an uncanny ability to get everywhere, particularly on your snacks.
We’ve compiled these snack ideas to help you avoid the messiness and make your day out hassle-free. What’s more, they’re convenient, tasty and healthy.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs are a superb option because they’re simple to make. Besides being delicious, whether you eat them warm or cold, they also fill you up quickly. If you get a gust of sand on them, you can rinse them off with ease. We advise you to peel them at home as it’s tedious to do it when you’re on the beach.
Sandwiches and Wraps
Sandwiches are another fantastic snack to bring. They’re easy to prepare, and everyone loves them. The only snag is that you may get sand trapped in the bread.
Wraps are a preferred choice for many as they have a protective outer layer to help keep the sand out. For added protection, wrap them in foil and peel the covering off as you eat.
Pita bread is another sandwich alternative as it forms an excellent protective shell for the yummy fillings inside. If you want to keep stuffings cool, the bread also works as a temporary mini insulator.
Rotisserie Chicken
If you don’t want to spend too much time cooking before a trip to the beach or park and be too tired to enjoy the fun, here’s an idea that’s both convenient and tasty.
Get a rotisserie chicken a day or so before the trip and store it in your refrigerator. All it takes is for you to shred the meat on the day of the outing. Like sandwiches and eggs, this meal tastes delicious warm or cold.
Homemade Granola Bars
Granola bars are easy to pack and eat. They’re also a healthy snack as they provide fiber and protein that’ll help stop between-meal cravings. The only downside is that the store-bought ones usually contain lots of sugar, carbs, and calories.
If you want an excellent alternative that offers the same health benefits, make them at home. You can include all the good stuff like oats or nuts. Avoid sticky ingredients such as chocolate or caramel as the sand will stick to them like magnets.
You can make your granola bars in advance because they can be stored for up to a week in airtight containers. Insert pieces of waxed or parchment paper between the layers to prevent them from sticking together. If you keep the bars in the freezer, they can last for at least a fortnight.
Kebabs
Kebabs are very easy to eat anywhere. You can have sand or dirt on your hands and still hold the skewer to bite the food.
Best of all, you can put a variety of stuff on a stick. You can have chicken, fruits, and vegetables. The possibilities are limitless.
Veggie Sticks With Hummus
Veggie sticks with hummus is another healthy snack that even kids love. The dip can withstand heat, so it’s perfect for your veggie sticks. It’s also a superb source of protein.
Carrots, celery, and cucumber are excellent choices as they’re crisp and refreshing. You can stick them into a container of hummus and pull them out when it’s time to eat. Ensure that the canister is sturdy, so the veggies don’t get squashed.
Fruit Salad
Fruit salads are refreshing and simple to prepare. Buy your favorite fruits, cut and dice them, and put them in cups. They’ll remain fresh, and eating them out of a cup is easy. Grapes, watermelon, and apples are good choices as they’re juicy.
You can also freeze your fruits and thaw them about 15 minutes before you’re ready to eat.
Trail Mix
If no one in your family is allergic to nuts, trail mixes are an ideal snack. Almonds, walnuts, pistachio, hazelnuts, and pecans are perfect choices.
You can add healthy fats by including pumpkin and sunflower seeds. Other types may be too tiny for a trail mix. Avoid chocolate as it’ll melt in the heat, and you don’t want to handle gooey stuff.
Yogurt
Yogurt needs no prep time. All you need is to buy it ahead of the trip and store it well. If you prefer to eat one-handed, get the squeezable type.
Don’t forget to bring plastic spoons if you’re serving the yogurt in a cup.
Brownies
Brownies are excellent if you want a taste of chocolate without it turning into gunk in the heat. As the bar cookies are fully baked, they won’t melt. You also don’t need to keep them in the cooler.
Final Tips
It pays to plan for your outing so you’ll be able to prepare the food and the containers to put them in. There’s no worse way to start the day of the trip than hurrying to get things done at the last minute.
When packing the meals, it’s best to divide them into individual portions. With everyone having their share, there won’t be any need for bowls and plates, and it’s less messy. Keep things simple and enjoy an amazing day out.
