🌞 Snack Outside the Box: 7 Kid-Friendly Zero-Waste Snacks for Outdoor Adventures
Spring is in full swing, and that means more sunshine, more fresh air… and more snacktime on the go! Whether you're heading out for a hike, hitting the park, or planning a backyard picnic, having healthy, fun, and zero-waste snacks on hand makes every adventure more enjoyable (and less messy).
At ECOlunchbox, we believe snacking should be simple, sustainable, and smile-inducing, so we’ve put together a list of our favorite kid-approved, planet-friendly snacks that are easy to pack in our leakproof, reusable containers.
Ready to snack outside the box? Let’s go!
🧺 Snack #1: Trail Mix Trio
Trail mix is the ultimate grab-and-go snack for active kids, and it’s easy to customize based on taste and dietary needs. We love packing ours in our Seal Cups for easy snacking on the trail or in the car.
Here are our three favorite blends:
🥣 Popcorn Crunch
- Air-popped popcorn
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Craisins
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Mini chocolates
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Almonds or cashews
🍫 Sweet & Salty Snack Attack
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Marshmallows
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Natural chocolate candies (M&Ms, but better!)
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Pistachios
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Peanuts
- Pumpkin seeds
🌻 Classic Mix
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Almonds
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Raisins
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Pumpkin seeds
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Walnuts
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Craisins
Pro Tip: Let your kids make their own combo in a big bowl, snack prep becomes a fun family activity!
🐞 Snack #2: Fruit & Veggie Bugs
This one’s a total hit with younger kids and doubles as a creative project!
You’ll need:
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Celery or cucumber sticks (bug bodies)
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Grapes, strawberries, blueberries, or cherry tomatoes (bug heads + spots)
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Peanut butter or cream cheese (edible “glue”)
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Pretzel sticks or sunflower seed “legs”
Let your kids design their own buggy buddies, just be sure to snap a pic before they get devoured!
📦 Pack your bugs in a Splash Box XL to keep them safe and smush-free.
🍏 Snack #3: Apple Slice Sandwiches
Part sweet treat, part energy booster, these little sandwich bites are perfect for picky eaters and busy hands.
Ingredients:
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Apple slices
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Peanut butter or sunflower seed butter
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Mini chocolate chips or crushed natural candies
Instructions:
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Slice apples into rounds.
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Spread a layer of nut butter between two slices.
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Roll the edges in mini chocolate chips or crushed candy.
- Chill for 5–10 minutes (optional for firmer texture), then pack them in your ECOlunchbox canister (they stack well!)
🌈 Snack #4: Rainbow Fruit Skewers
These are as fun to make as they are to eat—and a great way to get more fruit into your kids’ day.
Fruit suggestions:
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Strawberries (red)
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Mandarin slices or cantaloupe (orange)
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Pineapple (yellow)
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Kiwi or grapes (green)
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Blueberries (blue)
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Purple grapes or plums (purple)
Slide the fruit onto skewers or eco-friendly toothpicks, and tuck them into a leakproof container with a napkin to catch the juice.
🥕 Snack #5: Fresh-Cut Fruits & Veggies
Sometimes, simple is best! Chop up your kids’ favorite fruits and veggies and pair them with a little dip on the side.
Great combos include:
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Carrot sticks + hummus
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Bell pepper strips + guacamole
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Strawberries + yogurt
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Apple slices + nut butter
✨ Pack them in Seal Cup Jumbos and pop a smaller pod or ECOdipper inside for dips.
🔄 Bonus Tip: Make It a Snack Station!
Instead of packing everything in advance, try prepping a “Snack Outside the Box Station” before your next outing. Set out fruits, nuts, veggies, and dips at a picnic table or on a picnic blanket and let the kids build their own snack pack using reusable containers.
It builds autonomy, teaches portion control, and keeps them excited to eat what they packed.
♻️ Our Favorite ECOlunchbox Tools for Outdoor Snacking:
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🥣 Seal Cups: Leakproof, stackable, and snack-perfect
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🧁 Oval & Snack Cup: Great for bringing combos of snacks
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🍱 Splash Box: Versatile for skewers, sandwiches, and multi-snack combos
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🧺 Bento Wet Box: Ideal for juicy fruits and messier eats
🌿 Final Thoughts
Snacking outdoors doesn't have to mean plastic bags and soggy snacks. With a little planning (and a lot of creativity), you can pack exciting, healthy treats that travel well and leave no trash behind.
So grab your lunchbox, fill it with colorful goodness, and take snacktime outside the box.
💚 Have a snack hack we need to see? Tag us @ecolunchbox and use #SnackOutsideTheBox so we can share it with our community!
