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Your kids have been working hard at school and you’ve been busy with work, errands, and just—life! That’s why spring break is such a welcome opportunity for families to come together, unwind, and create fun memories as the weather begins to warm.
Whether you’re hitting the beach, exploring the great outdoors, or getting to know a new city, one thing remains constant—the need for family-approved, travel friendly snacks to fuel your spring break travel.
We’ve got you covered with this family vacation checklist of spring break essentials, snack hacks, and smart tips for every type of escapade. Let’s dive in!
Most people would agree: One of the best spring break destinations for families is a spring break beach trip to somewhere warm, sunny, and tropical. Beach destinations are also a classic choice when it comes to spring break ideas for college students, so be sure to pass these hacks along if you have older kids. Here’s what to bring on spring break to make life easier during those sun-soaked days.
Smart Tip
One of our favorite spring break packing tips for a beachy destination is to put together a separate beach bag that can double as your personal item for the plane. This way if you get to the resort before your hotel room is ready, you’ll have all your spring break essentials on hand in one place to enjoy the pool while you keep your luggage at the front desk.
Include beach vacation essentials like a swimsuit, flip flops, sunglasses, and anything else you’ll need right away for your spring break beach trip—except maybe sunscreen, which will need to go in your checked luggage since it’s a liquid. Keep your sunscreen in the outside zippered pocket of your suitcase so you can easily grab it before heading to the pool.
Snack Hack
With resort and airport prices higher than ever, it’s also smart to stash some snacks in your carry-on beach bag. This way you’ll have airplane snacks for kids on your flight that can double as snack ideas for the beach once you get to the resort. Think individually packed, non-messy snacks like animal crackers, baked chips, and mouthwatering Welch’s® Fruit Snacks—a crowd pleaser for travelers of all ages!
Where to go for spring break if you want to be more active and adventurous? Head to the great outdoors for hiking, kayaking, biking, and more. Explore state parks, hike scenic trails, or camp under the stars, roasting marshmallows around a campfire while telling spooky—or funny—stories. Nature-based spring break travel is the perfect way to get everyone off their phones and ready to create family memories that will last a lifetime.
Smart Tip
When packing spring break necessities in your cooler, try this tip. Minimize the need for ice packs and save space by adding frozen water bottles to your cooler. As the ice melts, you’ll have cold drinkable water on hand!
Snack Hack: DIY Veggie Packs
Campfire meals often include lots of burgers and hotdogs made on a charcoal grill. Sometimes salads and veggies fall by the wayside in favor of chips and other snacks that are easily portable and fun to eat. To keep mealtime and snack time balanced and nutritious, we like to add DIY veggie snack packs to our packing list for spring break camping trips.
Simply cut up different crunchy vegetables like carrot sticks, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, and cherry tomatoes. Put them in a sectioned reusable container with side dips like hummus or tahini sauce. Just stick them in your cooler and voila! Everyone will have their own healthy vegetable side with no cooking or on-site prep required. DIY veggie snack packs make great road trip snacks and are definitely one of our spring break necessities.
Snack Hack: DIY Trail Mix
We can’t talk about what to bring on spring break outdoor adventures without mentioning trail mix. This nutrient-packed snack provides a balanced combination of protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep everyone energized during hikes, bike rides, and other outdoor activities. We like to create our own trail mix blend with granola and different types of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits.
For a sweet, unexpected touch, add Welch’s® Fruit ‘n Yogurt Snacks to your trail mix. Made with real fruit surrounded by creamy yogurt, these delicious snacks are an excellent source of Vitamins A & C, a good source of Vitamin D & Calcium, and have flavors from natural sources.
In addition to relaxing at a resort or adventuring in the great outdoors, spring break also presents a great opportunity to immerse your family in history, art, and culture by exploring a new city.
There are so many cities that make great spring break travel destinations. Hit the streets of New York City and visit iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and Central Park. Discover the rich history of Washington, D.C. by visiting the Smithsonian museums, the National Mall, and the Lincoln Memorial. Or head to charming cities like Charleston or Savannah for a taste of southern hospitality, history, and some delicious southern cooking.
Smart Tip
If you’re vacationing in an urban destination, consider wearing a belt bag so you can stay hands free and have easy access to your phone, cash, and other spring break must haves as you’re navigating the streets. Also, add a hat and sunscreen to your family travel checklist. You can get a sunburn just as easily walking around a city as you can lying on the beach. In fact, sometimes even more so, as UV rays may not be top-of-mind.
Snack Hack
Buying overpriced snacks and sundries at a hotel shop can quickly add up. Be sure to pack easily portable, individually packaged treats in your luggage so you and your family can snack in your hotel room or on the go. Travel friendly snacks like Welch’s® Fruit Snacks are the perfect choice to fuel all your spring break travel adventures.
We hope our list of spring break essentials has you prepared and excited for your next family spring break trip—no matter where your adventure takes you. Safe travels!
