Camping is one of the best summer activities to share with your family. In the process of packing for a successful camping trip, you will likely run across the need to come up with fun, healthy snacks that are easily implemented without much need for cooking.
In this article, we will discuss some of our favorite camping snacks, how to make them, and even some helpful hints and tricks for making your summer camping excursions some of the best yet.
Camping is a Great Way to Bond as a Family.
There are many benefits to camping with your kids. Below, we will outline some of the best reasons to take the kids camping, just in case the idea of preparing camping snacks seems like more trouble than it’s worth.
Camping Brings Your Kids into the Real World.
Kids today are more addicted to technology than ever before. This comes with a number of issues, including a rise in childhood obesity and ADHD, psychological struggles, and sleep disorders.
Camping is a vacation from technology and a time when your kids can re-center themselves into the real world and learn to be present in the moment, rather than glued to a screen.
Camping Builds Lifelong Memories.
Let’s face it- your kids aren’t likely to remember the television show they watched with you last week, but they just might remember the day you taught them to build a fire or the night you spent telling spooky stories in a tent as the rain fell around you.
Camping is an Affordable Alternative to Fancier Vacations.
Most families cannot afford to go on lavish vacations to exotic places. If you are one of those families that struggles to find an affordable vacation option, a weekend camping trip is just the thing to make amends.
A vacation isn’t necessarily about the money put into it. Most kids will enjoy a weekend in a tent in the woods just as much as a weekend spent in a five-star resort. This is because kids crave time with family and new experiences. They can get that as close as their nearest state park.
Camping Will Boost Your Child’s Self Esteem.
The self-esteem of a child is boosted when they are faced with situations where they must learn to problem solve and make do. This is where kids really begin to learn what they are capable of and grow their intelligence and personalities.
According to an article published last year, camping is one way to help your kids flourish and learn exactly what they are made of.
Camping Promotes Exercise.
Hiking in the woods, gathering wood for a fire, fishing, and exploring nature are all great ways for your kids to take in fresh air and get their bodies moving.
Most kids today struggle to get enough exercise. Some time well spent in the great outdoors is just what most kids need to give their little bodies a healthy boost.
Camping Teaches a Respect for Nature.
Nature is a wonderful thing and it is also often overlooked. Most kids are lacking in the ability to get in touch with the world around them.
Biophilia is the urge that humans have to connect with other lifeforms. It’s why we have pets, why we catch butterflies and frogs, and why we enjoy the sight of lightning bugs.
Your child will thrive from being able to connect with the living things all around them. They will learn from their surroundings and grow spiritually in the process.
Our Favorite Camping Snacks to Pack for the Trip
Now that you know the benefits of taking your kids camping, we want to clue you in on some of our favorite camping snacks. Below, we will outline some of our favorite and easiest snacks to pack for your family before you set out to explore nature together.
Beef Jerky
There are many recipes online for making beef jerky at home. It’s a delicious and addictive protein-rich snack to pack for your camping trip. When prepared in bulk at home, it can also be pretty easy on the wallet.
One word of caution, however – Jerky can be pretty salty. Make sure you are also packing plenty of fresh water so your family can stay hydrated, especially if you are going to indulge in a sodium-rich snack.
S’mores Krispy Treats
S’mores are a camping staple. These S’more inspired treats are great because they can actually be prepared ahead of time and enjoyed throughout the trip without the burning risks or mess of preparing s’mores over an open fire.
Crumbled graham crackers, rice krispies, marshmallows, butter, and chocolate pieces are all you need to whip these treats together, then they pack well into plastic bags and stay tasting great throughout the entire trip.
Crescent Dogs
Roll your hot dog in a crescent roll before you roast it over the fire. You’ll have a fresh bake bun and hot dog in one! Pack ketchup and mustard for dipping and you’ve got a campfire dinner that is easy and fun for the whole family to prepare together.
Samoa Chex Mix
Named for the similarly flavored Girl Scout cookies, this variation of Chex Mix is made with melted chocolate, caramel, and coconut. It is a sweet snack to enjoy around the campfire with a healthy, multi-grain base and just a drizzle of deliciously sweet flavoring.
Campfire Strawberries
These snacks are prepared similarly to s’mores. You simply place a strawberry, a marshmallow, and a chocolate piece all together on a stick and roast them over a campfire together. Allow them to cool to a safe temperature, and then enjoy this delicious fruit-based snack.
Grilled Blooming Onion
If you are packing a portable grill for your camping trip, this is a delicious snack to prepare ahead of time and carry along. Simply peel the onions and cut them into wedges, but not all the way through. Leave about ¼” unsliced at the bottom of the onion so that it can fall apart into a “bloom”
Sprinkle the onion with your favorite seasoning and butter and roll in foil. Grill it on the portable grill for ten to fifteen minutes, then enjoy! These serve well with a cheese or barbecue dip.
Raspberry S’mores
What makes a s’more better? Raspberry topping! Prepare your s’mores as you normally would, but when they are finished, add a spoonful of your favorite raspberry preserves or even fresh raspberries. It will add a rich, fruity flavor to the already wonderful snack.
Campfire Cones
Fill a waffle ice cream cone with nuts, marshmallows, candy, raisins, or whatever other snacks you might enjoy. Wrap them in foil, and toss them on the grill for just a couple of minutes. They will emerge from the foil as a sticky, delicious treat.
Kids will enjoy filling their cones with their favorite ingredients, so prepare for a messy, good time!
Apple Cookies
Making these cookies is a breeze. Simply pack a few apples, some peanut butter, chocolate chips, and nuts. When you are ready to enjoy the cookies, slice the apples into thin disks, smear peanut butter over them, and then sprinkle nuts and chocolate chips over the peanut butter.
The cookies, of course, aren’t the baked variation. They are, however, delicious and easy to prepare, even when sitting in the middle of the woods.
Frozen Blueberry Bites
Toss blueberries in yogurt and then freeze them. When you are ready to go camping, store them in a bag in your cooler. They are a delicious treat and a fun way to cool off should the great outdoors be a little too warm for the kids.
Enjoy Your Camping Trip—And Your Snacks!
We hope that this article has been helpful to you in not only understanding the benefits of taking your kids camping, but also in planning the best camping snacks for the trip.
Remember that camping is all in what you make of it. Have the kids help you prepare the snacks ahead of time so they feel included in the planning process and then enjoy your time together basking in the great outdoors.
