*This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Mott’s® and Dollar General. All opinions are mine alone.
Summer is almost here and that has me on the hunt for travel snack hacks! We travel often in the summer and I’ve acquired some amazing travel tips that I’ll be sharing with you today. Plus you’ll get my favorite homemade cheese cracker recipe that is great for an easy snack for on the go travels.
Travel Snack Hacks
After driving from northern Minnesota down to the tip of Florida (straight through mind you) with four kids packed in our suburban, I can easily say I have acquired some must have travel snack hacks that every mother should know.
This suction cup snack bin is the PERFECT way for your kids to have their snacks within easy reach while you are driving. Inevitably, kids always need something as soon as you take off and you aren’t able to turn around and hand them anything. This easy DIY snack bin keeps snacks within easy reach and eliminates the need to hand them snacks throughout the ride.
To make this ingenious travel snack bin simply pick up a suction cup with a hook on it (I found them available in inexpensive 2 packs in the hardware section) and a square bin with handles (check Dollar General). Then simply place the suction cup on the car’s window, nearest your child’s seat, and hook the bin on it. Make sure it is within reach when they are seated and buckled in their car seat.
Then fill it up with their favorite travel snacks. We love to pack it with my homemade cheese crackers, Mott’s Applesauce and a bottle of Mott’s 100% Apple Mango Juice. Concentrate on mess-free snacks for the ride.
We use an ingenious snack hack to eat the Mott’s Applesauce cups without the mess. Simply cut a drinking straw so it is short and pack it in their snack tub. When they are ready to eat the applesauce they can just poke the straw through the lid and drink the applesauce cup which eliminates the need for eating it with a spoon which can get messy. Snack hacks for the win!
Skip the sugary drinks this summer and keep your kids hydrated with a better-for-you drink like Mott’s 100% Apple Mango Juice. It is non-GMO, 100% real fruit juice and is great for staying hydrated. It pairs perfectly with my homemade cheese cracker recipe below!
You can find these 8oz bottles of Mott’s 200% Apple Mango Juice exclusively at Dollar General at the lowest price available (just $2.75 per 6 pack!).
I have two other genius snack hacks you need to know and then I’ll share my super tasty homemade cheese crackers recipe with you!
First of all, I always keep several of these to-go packs in my car. Each one has a plate, napkin, utensils and a straw inside a gallon zip top bag. Have you ever gone through a drive through and got back on the road only to realize they forgot your straw or you didn’t have a napkin? If you keep a few of these to-go packs in the car you won’t ever have that dilemma again! They are SO handy.
My last travel tip for you isn’t a snack hack but does go along with it. Always keep a box of gallon zip top bags, a roll of paper towels and a few garbage bags in your vehicle. You never know when you might have a spill in the car and these items are invaluable when that happens!
Cheese Cracker Recipe
With four kids who love to snack I also employ other snack hacks. My kids LOVE cheese crackers but with four kids in the house we go through an entire box in one sitting. I started making my own cheese crackers recipe and not only are they tastier than the store bought cheese crackers, but they are made with clean ingredients and nothing extra. This recipe allows you to store them in a container on the counter instead of in the fridge which you’ll find with many other cheese cracker recipes. Make these before your next trip and take them in the car for an easy on-the-go snack!
Print the Cheese Cracker Recipe:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese any type-sharp, colby, etc
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 cup flour
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- coarse salt for topping
- Place all ingredients except milk and coarse salt into a food processor. Pulse until the mixture turns into crumbs. Slowly add liquid a little at a time until dough forms a ball.
- Divid dough in half and shape into a round disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill.
- After dough has chilled preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Roll out one disc of dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/8" thickness. You want them very thin as the dough expands when it cooks. Use a pastry wheel or knife to cut into 1" squares. Transfer squares to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat mat. Use a toothpick to poke a hole in the center of each cheese square. Make the hole a decent size by wiggling the toothpick in a circle.
- Sprinkle with coarse salt and bake for 10-15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
- Remove from oven and cool on a rack. Store in a glass container (with a lid) at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Pin the Cheese Cracker Recipe image below:
Thank you to Mott’s and Dollar General for sponsoring this post.
Find more homemade snack recipes and travel hacks:
My boys are all about the snacks. Those copy cat cheez-its are awesome. They will love those.
Booyah! Thank you so much for sharing this! We go through cheese crackers like they’re going out of style. I can’t wait to try my hand at making my own.
I think I want to go traveling with you! You have all the good snacks. We are going on a road trip in a few weeks and days give me great ideas of what to pack.
Those Cheez It copycat crackers look amazing! We love Cheez It’s in our house but because of the dyes, we can’t eat them. I am definitely trying this recipe. I love the suction cup snack cup also, I could totally see us using this, even with no kids in the car!
This is such a great idea for when you are on the move! I will be using this on my next trip.
I was just thinking to myself that I need to bake my kids some crackers. They love cheesy crackers and I always prefer to make them homemade snacks!
That snack bin is a really nice way to keep those snacks in one accessible place! I’m loving the cheese cracker recipe!
I need to pick up some Mott’s 100% Apple Mango Juice. I am sure it will be a big hit with the kids. I need to get a snack holder like that for my car.
I love Mott’s products and so do my girls. We’re a big fan of the applesauce and apple juice. I also have to say that those crackers sure look delicious. I’d love to give that recipe a try. I’ve never made my own crackers before.
That suction snack cup is such a good idea. I think it would be good for the driver, too! I mean, I have to keep both hands on the wheel, so I can’t be holding my snack. This would solve the whole problem!
I love that suction cup snack container! Great idea. We always pack those travel sized Mott’s juices. They are a life saver on long trips.
The hanging snack bin is ingenious. That way they can help themselves. I like the idea of having to-go packs available is a great idea as well.
These Homemade Cheese Cracker look like a yummy treat. I will have to make these for my grandsons.
This is nice would love to make it ty
Definitely going to try this recipe, love cheese crackers. Excellent snack ideas for kids.
I’m glad to hear you are going to give it a try. Let me know what you think!
These are good ideas about making it nice for traveling for the kids. I love making my own crackers, I’d like to try this. So many people don’t realize how easy and how delish homemade crackers are!
Yes, they are so yummy!
LOVE LOVE this ingenious snack hack to eat the Mott’s Applesauce cups without the mess. This is something that my niece needs for her little girl,
Thanks 🙂