Whether you’re a kid or an adult, one of the best parts about camping has got to be the snacks.
When I was a kid, the only time we got to eat sugary flavors of cereal was when we were camping. I would cut into one of those small Kellogg’s boxes with such joy. Remember those? The little cereals that came in packs with Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, and Rice Krispies (not the best one). They had the perforated lines that you would cut with a knife so you could open the box up and turn it into a semi-functioning bowl? These cereals, along with campfire smores, are the snacks that bring back real feelings of happiness and nostalgia.
12 Camping Snack Ideas for Kids
Now that I’m a mom of two little boys, I like to pack special little snacks and treats when we go camping. You know, little things that I won’t normally give my kiddos in an effort to keep them healthy and prevent a sugar rush. I want them to have the same feeling when they are older and look back on their camping adventures … some special camping snacks that immediately bring back feelings of sunshiny days and family fun. Here are some of our favorite easy camping snack ideas.
S’mores Nachos
If you don’t have smores when you’re camping, are you even camping? That’s the real question. Smores are an essential camping treat for our family. If you’re looking to shake up the conventional smores snack, give these campfire smores nachos a try. All of the gooey goodness of regular smores, just way easier to prepare and more fun to eat.
Mason jar yogurt parfait
These yogurt parfaits are a good snack to prepare before you leave. You can eat them in the car on the way to your camping destination or for breakfast while you are camping. For easy storage and transport, you can construct your parfait in a mason jar. Full of fruit, granola, nuts, and yogurt, they are a healthy and delicious way to start your morning (although admittedly not as fun as those Froot Loops boxes).
Cut up veggies with homemade hummus
Looking for a plant-based protein? Look no further. This homemade hummus recipe packs a flavorful punch. Pair it with your veggies of choice, pita, or naan bread for a simple and tasty summer snack.
Chex mix. I love chex mix
It’s one of my favorite go-to snacking foods. This chex mix recipe is crunchy, filling, and delicious. It’s also versatile as it can be baked in the oven or made in your slow-cooker. I prepare a huge batch to share with family and friends on all of our summer camping trips.
Homemade granola bars
These no-bake granola bars are the perfect camping snack. They are easy to make, easy to store, nutritious, and delicious. This is one of my go-to recipes that I prepare before every camping trip. I promise you will never want to go back to a store-bought granola bar after you have tried these.
Mountain trail mix
We do not go camping without a substantial stash of mountain trail mix. This is another snack that I prepare at home before we head off on our camping adventure. It literally takes 10 minutes to prepare and is the ideal snack if you are out hiking or hanging out at the beach.
Zucchini bread
In an effort to make sure my kids are eating enough veggies, I try to hide them in everything. I love this zucchini bread loaf because I feel good about feeding it to my kiddos. It’s got zucchini, raw walnuts, and uses maple syrup or honey in place of white sugar. This bread makes for the perfect snack but can also be served as a quick and easy breakfast option.
Ants on a log
It’s fun, simple, and full of protein! I remember my mom making us ants on a log when we were kids and now I’m serving the same snack to my kids. With celery, peanut butter, and raisins it’s a healthy snack to serve to your family and it’s super easy to prepare when you’re camping.
Chocolate chip cookies
If you are looking for a classic snack, you can’t go wrong with chocolate chip cookies. No, they’re not the healthiest snack out there but they are guaranteed to please. They are sweet, soft, and oh so delicious.
Homemade popsicles
Unless you are camping with a trailer that is equipped with a freezer, these might be a tricky snack to transport. However, if you do have a trailer or some kind of portable freezer, these healthy, homemade popsicles make for a delicious summer treat. These are a good snack to serve when it’s super hot outside and they can also be served as a sweet dessert.
No-bake energy balls
These no-bake energy balls are a family favorite. They are easy to make, compact and easy to carry in a backpack or picnic basket, and they will give you the energy boost you need when you are outside exploring.
Homemade fruit leather
I love this recipe for homemade fruit leather because it contains only two ingredients. Pick your favorite fruit, be it peaches, raspberries, or strawberries, add your sweetener of choice (we use maple syrup) and you have everything you need to make this healthy snack. I will warn you, the fruit leathers need to bake for a period of six to eight hours so this isn’t’ a snack you can throw together an hour before you intend to go camping.
What are your go-to camping snacks?
If you are heading out on a camping trip, I hope this list of easy camping snack ideas has inspired your snacking menu. Over years of camping, we’ve tried and tested a vast number of snacks and these are our go-to favorites. It’s nice to have a mix of some healthy options that will keep you and your family energized throughout the day along with some sweet and delicious options to make snacking fun.
Do you have some easy camping snack ideas to add to this list? What snacks are a must-have when you and your family go camping?
— By Jessica Martel