Unless you’re hosting every major party or gathering this holiday season, a little travel and some unexpected delays are a given. Whether you’re waiting to board a plane or driving three hours on the road, what better way to get your kids through that travel lull than putting on their favorite shows and movies? Now, in the age of computers, tablets, and smart phones, providing entertainment for the kids is much easier now than when your parents were trying to do the same. And, of course, lots of snacks. To make it even easier for you, we’ve paired some kid-friendly movies with kid-friendly snacks, perfect for any of your traveling situations.
All Hail King Julien
The best thing for a flight delay? Watching a television series. You can stop once the plane boards and not feel like you’re pausing in the middle of the drama, and you can start a new episode if the delay is dragging on. All Hail King Julien—a series from the loveable Madagascar franchise, premiering on December 19th, 2014 exclusively on Netflix—is the perfect thing to keep your kids engaged and happy. Have them munch on these nutty grain and oat bars for a healthy snack while they watch. Pro-tip: Bake a loaf of these bars for your trip, cut them at home, and pack them right back in the pan you baked them in.
Curious George
With all the adventures this mischievous monkey gets himself into, there’s no shortage of laughs in this adorable series. For a monkey-friendly (and kid-friendly) snack, these banana and oat snack cakes are packed with healthy ingredients, and will keep everyone full until you reach grandma’s house.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Cowabunga, dude! Since the 80’s, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have been a favorite crime-fighting bunch, whether it’s in comic books, an animated T.V. series, or a live-action film. While you pack up the car for your travels, keep your kids entertained and ready to go with Donatello, Raphael, Leonardo, and Michelangelo. And while pizza is always the snack of choice when watching these masked turtle dudes, bites of hard meats, cheeses, and halved cherry tomatoes make for a much more car-friendly snack when everything is all packed up and ready to go.
Jumanji
Is it just us, or is this classic movie a little stressful? The story of a cursed game that sucks you into it or brings hoards of huge animals into your house is definitely a captivating one, especially with players like Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, and a young Kirsten Dunst. Make a snack that’s great for stress eating: cinnamon-sugar apples. This snack is crunchy yet healthy, so you won’t mind when your kids put slice after slice in their mouths while watching on a long car or train ride to your in-law’s.
The Croods
This adorable movie showcases a caveman family who has been displaced from their cave and are discovering the world as they find a new home. It’s a Dreamworks film, so you know it’s perfect to put on when your kids get a little fidgety on the road. These banana s’mores nut bars invoke that loveable camping snack you toast over a fire—something Grug, Ugga, and the rest of the Croods clan would surely enjoy together as well.
Pokemon: Indigo League
With close to 500 Pokemon out there (back in our day, there were only 150), there is no shortage of episodes to keep kids happy while waiting for your luggage at the airport. While they watch Ash and friends battle and catch the little beasts, they can nibble on semi-healthy gluten-free raspberry muffins.
All titles available on Netflix for a limited time.