When camping with kids, food can be a challenge. Keeping up with the energy needs of your active children, addressing picky eating preferences, and using mostly shelf-stable food is no joke!
Thankfully, with a little planning, it’s possible to keep your kids nourished and happy without sacrificing the fun. In this guide, we’ll cover how to make camping meals both healthy and kid-friendly, even with picky eaters in the mix.
Nutrition Goals While Camping With Kids
Fueling Active Kids
When camping, kids are often more active than usual—hiking, swimming, running, and exploring nature. This extra activity requires more energy, so balanced meals and snacks are essential.
Focus on providing a mix of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs throughout the day to keep them fueled. Not every meal and snack has to be perfectly balanced with each, but try to include all 3 at some point every day.
- Protein sources (meat, eggs, nuts, seeds, dairy) keep kids fuller for longer which prevents your camping trip from being one constant stream of snacks
- Healthy fats (nuts, avocado, seeds) also keep kids fuller for longer. These healthy fats are often already shelf-stable, so they are great to bring on camping trips!
- Complex carbs (whole grain, oatmeal) are the best type of carbs to offer kids while camping because they provide slow-releasing energy that can sustain kids through a busy day of outdoor fun
This also makes the packing list super simple. As long as you have 2-3 sources of each (protein, fat, complex carb) – you’re good to go!
Hydration
Staying hydrated is just as important as fueling their energy needs, especially during hot days. Encourage kids to drink water frequently throughout the day. Make it more appealing by mixing it with something rich in electrolytes like:
Easy-to-Store, Shelf-Stable Foods
When camping, refrigeration is often limited, so choosing foods that are both nutritious and shelf-stable is key. Here’s a list of some shelf-stable options in our protein, fat, and carbs categories:
Protein:
- Beef or turkey jerky
- Tuna pouches
- Nut butter packs
- Shelf-stable hummus packs
- Dry-roasted chickpeas
- Cheese whisps
- Protein bars
- Dry Roasted Edamame
For more shelf-stable easy protein options, check out my post on 20 store-bought protein snacks.
Healthy Fats:
- Trail Mix
- Avocados (to add to meals)
- Nut butter packs
- Pumpkin seeds
Complex Carbs:
- Whole Grain Bread
- Canned Beans
- Crackers
- Quick Oats
- Whole Grain Tortillas
- Granola
Picky Eating Struggles While Camping
Picky eating takes no breaks – even during vacations and family camping trips. 🙂BUT the good news is that kids are less likely to show picky eating habits when they’re in fun food environments. Aka – sitting around a campfire!
But if they still struggle with food choices even while camping, try incorporating some of these tips.
Involve Kids in Packing the Food
Include them in the food planning and preparation process. Let them help choose some of the snacks or meals before the trip, so they feel more invested in what’s being served.
During the trip, having them assist with simple meal tasks—like assembling sandwiches or skewers—makes the food more exciting and boosts their willingness to eat.
Make Meals Interactive
Interactive meals can be a game-changer for picky eaters. Meals where kids can build their own plates, like wraps, sandwiches, or DIY snack boxes, allow them to pick what they want while still providing balanced nutrition.
This is why smores are such a win for kids – they get to assemble AND help cook their own food. Rewarding and delicious. Replicating that same structure for meals works just as well!
Remember to Pack a Favorite Food
Reducing picky eating is all about reducing anxiety during mealtime. If your picky eater is in a new place with ALL new foods – it’s not gonna go well.
Make sure each of their meals includes one of their favorite or “safe” foods. This will help them feel more comfortable when approaching mealtime.
Full Day of Recipes – Camping with Kids Food
Breakfast
1. Overnight oats [make-ahead] with nutter butter, top with fruit
2. Campfire scrambled eggs with turkey sausage
3. Nut Butter Banana Wraps: spread a tortilla with nut butter and wrap around a banana. Cut into 1” slices and serve
4. Granola with shelf-stable milk
5. Energy Balls [make-ahead] paired with fruit
6. Chia Seed Pudding [make ahead] with nut butter, top with fruit
Lunch
1. Deli Wrap: tortilla, lunch meat or tuna pouch, cheese, lettuce or veggies of choice
2. Snack Wheel filled with your kid’s favorite shelf-stable snacks: nuts, fruit, veggies, pepperoni, jerky, granola, crackers, etc
3. PB&J: by using a higher protein & higher fiber bread, and a whole-fruit jam, this PBJ keeps your kids fuller for longer!
4. Pasta Salad: bring pre-cooked pasta or boil on the campfire. For easy no-mess prep, I like to use canned ingredients in a pasta salad. Add generous olive oil, canned tomatoes, canned chicken, herbs, and feta cheese
5. Mini Charcuterie Board: crackers, jerky, pepperoni, cheese slices, fruits, and veggies
6. Tortilla Pizza: each kid can make their own tortilla pizza! Top a tortilla with marinara sauce, cheese, and toppings of choice. Lay on the hot coal until the cheese is melted
Dinner
1. Foil packet meals: this is a common one for a reason! It’s easy, versatile, and quick to clean up. Give each child a large piece of foil and set out: Chicken (from frozen or a can, I find pre-cooked meats work better with kids 🙂), potatoes or hashbrowns, beans, cheese, and frozen veggies (peppers and onions work well here!)
2. Bean and Cheese Burritos: heat a can of refried beans over the fire and mix with cheese. Load a tortilla with the mixture and enjoy!
3. Protein-Packed Mac And Cheese: take your instant mac and cheese to the next level by using shelf-stable bone broth as the liquid instead of water. You can also add some frozen veggies to the mac and cheese cups as well
4. Chicken Fried Rice: heat a frozen bag of fried rice and add 1-2 cans of chicken, soy sauce as needed
5. Chicken Sausage & Rice: Skewer the chicken sausage and let your kids cook their own! Serve with easy stove-top lentils and rice
Dessert
1. Classic Smores: I always encourage parents to use the most loved foods (like smores) as an opportunity to introduce new foods. Even if it isn’t a classic “healthy” food, smores are a versatile experience and could be the first time your child tries something new! Add banana, peanut butter, coconut, or dark chocolate to your next smore
2. Bananas Foster: With an unpeeled banana, cut it lengthwise in half. Spread any toppings like peanut butter, chocolate chips, or honey. Put the banana back together like a sandwich, wrap in foil, and heat on the campfire for 10 minutes
3. Quick Peach Cobbler: Warm a can of peaches on the campfire, top with Granola of choice
As you plan your camping trip and the meals that come with it, keep in mind that it’s perfectly fine to prioritize convenience over ideal nutrition. Camping with kids can be challenging, and ensuring everyone is well-fed is hard enough! Remember, camping trips are typically short and won’t significantly impact your child’s long-term nutrition or health.
By involving your children in food choices, making meals interactive, and packing familiar favorites with a healthy twist, you can ensure that mealtime remains enjoyable and stress-free.If you want more personalized nutrition advice or plans, schedule your FREE 10-minute consultation with me today!
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