Meal Ideas for Camping with Kids
Keeping children energized and nourished during camping adventures is essential. But meal planning can be challenging when you're dealing with limited cooking resources and the need to pack light. Moreover, the meals should be something your kids will enjoy. Here are some tried-and-true, nutritious, and kid-approved camping food ideas to help you plan. When camping we stay flexible with meals and try to make everything as easy as possible, from prep to cooking to clean up.
Before we get started, a few quick notes on equipment:
Cooking - when car camping we usually bring this gas grill with a small one-pound propane tank (think through how long you’ll be out when selecting how much fuel to bring). This makes cooking great meals much easier. When backpacking we bring a small stove and freeze dried meals because our kids like them and that’s the easiest way for us to cook in the backcountry.
Refrigeration - cargo space, weather, and how much money you want to invest in refrigeration are all factors to keep in mind. For years we used a Yeti cooler but you do need to refill with ice. A couple of years ago we invested in a Dometic portable refrigerator. It’s been great and we definitely recommend it if having a refrigerator is important to you.
Cleanup - some campsites have washup sinks for dishes but many don’t. Bring your own collapsible sinks (we recommend two, one for washing and one for rinsing, as well as this handy drying rack). Ready to go all in? A couple of years ago we took the plunge and bought the Joolca hot tap water system, and wow - it’s been amazing. Like the Dometic refrigerator, the Joolca is an investment but worth it given how often we camp and the value we have on having a sink and running water at our campsite.
Camp-made pancake breakfast with fresh fruit.
Breakfast
Pancakes - What better way to start a day of camping fun than with pancakes? Make it healthier by using whole grain mix, and jazz it up with add-ins like blueberries or sliced bananas, or serve fruit on the side. You can buy store mix or I just prepare the dry mix at home and bring the items I need to finish it at camp (eggs, milk, butter). Don’t forget the syrup 🥞
Yogurt parfaits - No cooking required. Just bring yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit and let folks make their own bowls. Super easy breakfast.
Eggs and sausage sandwiches - These can obviously be made meatless, add cheese, etc. Store-bought croissants, English muffins, and sandwich bread all work here. You can cook the eggs and meat on the griddle, put down some butter and toast that bread. So good, and it’s filling enough that it will probably get you all the way to lunch.
Cereal - No need to complicate things if this is what you like and/or what your kids will eat. Bring their favorite cereal and whatever milk choice works for you. Fresh fruit is always a plus and can help round out the meal.
Bagels + cream cheese/jam - Self-explanatory. Another easy way to get your morning started.
Lunch
Sandwiches or Wraps 🥙 - Fill with your choice of meat, cheese, and veggies (don’t forget to bring condiments if that’s what you like). Classic PB&J are always a hit.
Hummus, veggies, and pita chips - I pre-cut a selection of veggies at home, put them in a tupperware, and then just pull them out for folks to enjoy.
Pizza for dinner, cooked on a pizza brick on our grill.
Dinner
Grilled Veggie and Meat Skewers - kids often find these fun to eat and they’re easy to customize. Let the kids help assemble their skewers at home (or camp) with chunks of chicken, beef, or tofu and colorful veggies. Consider pre-marinating the protein at home for extra flavor. I’ve also just bought pre-made, uncooked skewers at the grocery store, popped them in our camp fridge, and grilled them up for dinner. Super easy and really good.
Tacos 🌮 - I make all the fillings and sides at home in advance: cook the rice and beans, brown the meat, grate the cheese, store them all in separate containers and then reheat at camp. Pull out tortilla chips, tortillas, hard taco shells; whatever you like best. We always bring salsa and fresh avocados (guacamole is easier sometimes, especially if you’re out for multiple days).
Any protein + veggie - I’ll sometimes make chicken or salmon at home and then just reheat at camp, along with grilling up some fresh corn on the cob or asparagus, or making a salad (which you can also buy in pre-made kits if you want).
Pasta 🍝 - Super easy meal. Buy pesto or a sauce to add in. You can even buy fancier freshly made pastas like ravioli if you want it to feel special. Don’t forget the parmesan and we’ll all be happy campers.
Chili - When we camp in colder weather I’ll make chili at home and reheat at camp. If I have cornbread or corn chips that’s a plus. Super filling and satisfying camp meal, especially on a chilly day.
Pizza! A little trickier to make but it can be done. Bring a pizza stone, flour, pizza dough, sauce and toppings. Preheat the pizza stone on the grill and cook like you would at home (stretch the dough on a lightly floured cutting board, add sauce and toppings, slide pizza onto stone and watch carefully until it’s cooked to the right level of doneness for you). I find kitchen scissors are easier to use than a pizza cutter.
Snacks
Trail Mix - an easy on-the-go snack. Increase the chances that your kids will eat it by letting them customize their own at home before heading out. Quick note that if it’s summer time chocolate chips will likely melt and mess up the rest of your trail mix, possibly leading to your toddler’s meltdown and your own gnashing of teeth. Consider alternatives in hot weather).
Dried fruit 🥭
Popcorn/kettle corn
Beef jerky
Tortilla chips and salsa
Cheese or peanut butter and apples
Remember, make it as easy on yourself as possible at camp by doing prep work at home. With a little planning and creativity, you can ensure that your camping trip is filled with satisfying meals that the whole family will love.
The unspoken additional option: if there is a camp restaurant (for instance in Yosemite Valley or at Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground), or if you’re at Pismo Beach and can literally take a walk to dining options downtown, you can definitely plan to eat out. If that makes you feel like, ‘Hey, that’s not really camping!’ then don’t do it. But know it’s an option if a meal doesn’t work out or if packing food is the thing that’s keeping you from going camping. Just plan ahead, make sure there are food options available (check hours/seasons of operation), and do what feels right for you.
I hope this helps! I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. At Outdoorithm, we’re here to simplify camping for urban families. Check out the rest of our tools and, if you haven’t already, consider joining our community!
Happy Camping!
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