Fun Cooking With Kids: 15 Delicious and Nutritious Camping Meals and Ideas

Planning a family camping trip can be exciting, but feeding a group of hungry kids outdoors is a whole different challenge. When you have several little ones, you need meals that are simple, quick, and guaranteed crowd-pleasers.

Luckily, campfire cooking does not have to be stressful. With a little creativity, it becomes one of the best parts of the entire trip.

Kids love being part of the cooking experience, especially when the recipes are fun and hands-on. The ideas below focus on meals that are:

• Easy to prepare at the campsite
• Kid-approved
• Nutritious enough to keep everyone energized
• Customizable for picky eaters

We will skip the obvious basics like hot dogs and plain sandwiches. Instead, you’ll get ideas that make camping meals memorable without needing complicated ingredients or long prep times.

From simple breakfasts to hearty dinners and late-night treats, these camping meal ideas will keep everyone full, happy, and ready for adventure. Start planning ahead so meals are smooth, stress-free, and enjoyable for the whole family.

Picky Eaters? Campfire Cooking With Kids – Fun Meals Kids Will Devour

Kid-friendly camping meals can be fun, easy to make, and nutritious too. Here are a few highlights before we dive in deeper.

• Camping breakfast ideas like campfire cinnamon rolls, sausages with hash browns, and banana almond butter pancakes are delicious options that will keep kids energized.
• Easy lunch ideas include hobo pies, grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, and zucchini pizza boats that kids can personalize with their favorite ingredients.
• For camping dinners, try walking tacos or skillet lasagna for a tasty meal around the campfire.
• Fun desserts like s’more quesadillas, Dutch oven peach cobbler, and campfire banana boats will surely delight kids on camping trips.
• Quick snacks such as homemade trail mix, banana chips, and apple cranberry granola bars provide a much-needed energy boost while exploring nature.

Kid-Friendly Camping Breakfasts

Campfire cinnamon rolls are a delicious and easy camping breakfast option, especially for younger children. Sausage, hash browns, and pancakes are classic favorites, too, so these recipes have plenty of salty vs. savory variety. 

Campfire Cinnamon Rolls

Campfire cinnamon rolls are a great choice for camping breakfasts or as an alternative to smores for that late-night storytelling time around the campfire. They are super easy and fun to make with kids. There are two ways to make these, both of which are incredibly delicious. That said, our favorite way to make these is in a cast-iron skillet.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try the stick method instead!

Cast-iron skillet or pie iron: 

Ingredients:

• 1 can refrigerated cinnamon rolls
• Cooking spray

Instructions:
1. Spray the inside of a campfire pie iron with cooking spray.
2. Place a cinnamon roll into each side of the pie iron or multiple rolls into a cast-iron skillet.
3. Close the pie iron and place it in the campfire coals.
4. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the cinnamon rolls are golden brown and thoroughly cooked.
5. Remove from the fire, spread icing, and let cool slightly before enjoying your delicious campfire cinnamon rolls! 

Campfire cinnamon rolls on a stick:

First, you need a tube of store-bought cinnamon roll dough. Pop the can and unroll each piece.

Then, wrap each one around a clean stick found at your campsite in a spiral shape, like a snake coiling up onto itself. Now it’s time for them to cook! Hold over the hot campfire until they turn golden brown.

Let cool, then spread icing on top from the packet included with the dough package! This is a perfect kid-friendly camping treat for giving everyone an energy boost to start the day.

Camping Breakfast Sausages and Hash Browns

There are few aromas to wake up to that could outmatch the smell of sausage and hash browns cooking over the campfire, especially on those cool brisk mornings before a long hike or other adventures. This easy-to-make breakfast is perfect for starting the day right while enjoying the great outdoors.

• Simply cook up some savory sausages over the campfire or on a portable grill (or cast-iron skillet), and pair them with golden-brown hash browns for a hearty and satisfying meal. 
• The sausages provide protein to keep kids energized throughout their camping adventures, while the crispy hash browns add a tasty crunch and carbs for the day ahead.
• We prefer the skillet method since the oil from the sausage is perfect for cooking hashbrowns right in the same pan.

It’s an enjoyable breakfast option that both kids and adults can enjoy together. Feel free to use frozen hashbrowns or bring some potatoes, a food grater, salt, and pepper. The nice thing about bringing potatoes is that they won’t be perishable for a long time.

If you have limited cooler space, you know how important it is to reduce the number of perishable items you bring on your camping trip.

Banana and Almond Butter Pancakes

Banana and Almond Butter Pancakes are a delicious, nutritious, kid-friendly camping morning treat. These pancakes are made with ripe bananas, almond butter, and whole wheat flour, making them a healthier choice vs. your typical run-of-the-mill boxed pancake mix. They’re super easy to make. 

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe bananas
• 1/4 cup almond butter
• 1 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
• Cooking spray or oil for greasing

Instructions:
1. Mash the bananas in a large bowl until smooth and creamy.
2. Add almond butter to the mashed bananas and mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together whole-wheat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana-almond butter mixture, alternating with milk, until well combined.
5. Heat a griddle or skillet over the campfire and lightly grease it with cooking spray or oil.
6. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot griddle for each pancake.
7. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook for another minute or until golden brown.
8. Repeat with the remaining batter.
9. Serve warm with your favorite toppings, such as maple syrup, sliced bananas, or chopped almonds.
10. Enjoy your delicious banana and almond butter whole-wheat campfire pancakes!

They are easy to make on a camp stove or griddle, requiring just a few ingredients. Kids like the sweet banana flavor combined with the creamy almond butter. These pancakes provide energy for an active day of camping adventures and will surely be a hit with the whole family. Also, if you make too many, add them to a Ziploc bag for the kids to snack on throughout the day.

Easy Camping Lunch Ideas for Kids

Make delicious hobo pies, grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, or zucchini pizza boats for a hassle-free, kid-approved camping lunch.

Hobo Pies

Making hobo pies is a fun and easy family camping lunch idea for kids. These tasty treats are made by stuffing ingredients like cheese, ham, veggies, and sauce between two slices of bread.

Then, they’re wrapped in foil and cooked over the fire or on a grill until warm and melty. Kids can get creative with their fillings and personalize their hobo pies to suit their taste buds.

It’s an easy-to-prepare yet delicious meal that kids enjoy making and devouring. 

Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich

This is a generational classic and just an all-around great camping meal. The Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich is an easy and tasty lunch option for kids while camping, especially since you can mix things up a bit with different cheeses, meats, or other ingredients as desired. It’s a classic sandwich that everyone loves, with the bonus of being grilled to perfection over a campfire.

Simply assemble slices of ham and cheese between two pieces of bread. Then, butter the outside of the sandwich before grilling it in a pan over the campfire or on a portable grill.

The result is a warm and melty sandwich that kids will devour. This recipe requires minimal preparation and cooking time, making it ideal for a quick lunch on your camping trip. As with cooking these on the stovetop, the bread can burn quite quickly, so keep an eye on things. 

Zucchini Pizza Boats

Zucchini Pizza Boats are a delicious and healthy camping lunch idea for kids. They are easy to make and full of flavor. To make them, you first slice the zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the center seeds.

Then, you fill each boat with pizza sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings like pepperoni or vegetables. After that, wrap them in tin foil, then place them in a cast-iron skillet. Depending on how large your zucchinis are, these may take a while to cook thoroughly.

With that in mind, you can add some water to the skillet so they don’t get overdone on the bottom. If you have a lid to cover the skillet or a Dutch oven, that’s even better. 

These pizza boats are a fun twist on traditional pizza that kids will love. They provide a nutritious meal that’s also tasty and enjoyable for everyone in the family. Give them a try on your next camping adventure!

Camping Dinners for Kids

Walking Tacos

Walking tacos are a fun and customizable camping dinner where kids can fill their individual bags of chips with taco toppings like ground beef, cheese, lettuce, and salsa. It’s a hands-on meal that’s perfect for when everyone would prefer finger food over a more complicated meal choice. 

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 8 small personal-size bags of Fritos or Doritos (or large bags of any of these)
• Optional toppings: lettuce, tomatoes, onions, salsa, sour cream, and more

Instructions:
1. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef until browned.
2. Drain any excess grease and stir in the taco seasoning.
3. Open each bag and add a scoop of the seasoned ground beef.
4. Top with shredded cheese and any desired toppings like cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, or sour cream.
5. Mix everything in the bag and enjoy your walking tacos!

Walking Tacos are a fun and tasty camping dinner option for kids. They are easy to make and can be customized with your child’s favorite toppings. The best part is that no plates or utensils are required – just eat the tacos straight out of the bag!

Kids will love this hands-on meal that is both delicious and hassle-free. These can be a bit messy, but it’s nothing a nearby creek, stream, or some baby wipes can’t fix. 

Skillet Lasagna

Skillet Lasagna is a tasty and easy camping dinner option for kids. It is made by layering lasagna noodles, marinara sauce, ground beef (or turkey), and cheese in a covered skillet or Dutch oven. To speed up the cooking time, it’s a good idea to brown the meat ingredients first in a cast-iron skillet, then add in the cooked meat when assembling.

Also, be sure to bring some simple seasonings such as garlic, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. 

The dish is cooked over the campfire until the cheese melts and the noodles are tender. If you have a food thermometer handy, it’s a good idea to check to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees, especially if the meat wasn’t cooked beforehand.

The cooking time will vary depending on how hot your campfire is and how you prepared the lasagna pasta and meat, but plan for 60 minutes if the pasta is uncooked. The recipe we included below would start with cooked pasta, so that’s something you could prepare ahead of time, and it reduces the cooking time at the campsite. 

Ingredients:

• 12 lasagna noodles
• 1 jar of marinara sauce
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over the campfire until cooked through. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and cook until softened.
3. Stir in the marinara sauce and season with salt and pepper.
4. Layer half of the cooked lasagna noodles in a greased cast iron skillet or disposable foil pan.
5. Spoon half of the meat sauce mixture over the noodles and sprinkle with half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
6. Repeat layers with remaining noodles, meat sauce, and cheese.
7. Cover the skillet or pan with foil and place it on a grill grate over the campfire.
8. Cook for about 20 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Remove from heat, let it cool slightly, then serve your delicious campfire lasagna!

Kids love cheese, pasta, and tomato sauce, and parents love anything that’s easy to throw together, so this will be a family favorite. Let your kids help assemble the lasagna, too, because cooking with kids is always more interesting.

With a Dutch oven, this meal requires minimal preparation and clean-up, making it an ideal choice for a one-pot camping meal. Lastly, this is a great make-ahead camping meal for the first night.

Fun Camping Desserts for Kids

Indulge your little ones with these easy-to-prepare, scrumptious camping desserts that are sure to be a hit around the campfire.

S’more Quesadilla

The S’more Quesadilla is a delicious, kid-friendly dessert that expresses creativity. Let the kids create their own designs, choose various toppings, and so on, then let them try out each other’s creations. To make these, simply spread chocolate hazelnut *like Nutella) on one side of a tortilla, then sprinkle mini marshmallows on top. 

Fold the tortilla in half and cook it in a skillet or over the campfire until the chocolate is melted and the marshmallows are gooey. This sweet treat combines the flavors of s’mores with a quesadilla, creating a unique and tasty dessert that’s perfect for camping adventures.

If you want to deviate from the typical Smores flavor, feel free to swap these choices out for any number of spreads and toppings like peanut butter, Oreo crumbles, fruit, and more. These are a great choice if you’re looking for an easy camping dessert.

Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler

The Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler is a delicious and easy camping dessert that kids will love. It’s made by layering fresh peaches with a sweet biscuit topping and baking it in a Dutch oven over the campfire.

The result is a warm and gooey peach cobbler that is the perfect ending to any outdoor meal. This recipe requires only a few simple ingredients, including canned or fresh peaches, flour, sugar, butter, milk, baking powder, and cinnamon.

Once assembled in the Dutch oven, it’s cooked slowly over the coals until the biscuits are golden brown and the peaches are bubbling. The best part is that this dessert can be enjoyed on its own or topped with vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat.

Campfire Banana Boats

Campfire Banana Boats are a fun and tasty dessert option for kids on camping trips. To make them, you’ll need some ripe bananas, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips. First, slice the banana down the middle (do not cut it all the way through).

Then stuff the banana with marshmallows and chocolate chips. Wrap it in foil and place it near the campfire or grill for about 5-10 minutes until everything is melted and gooey. The result is a deliciously sweet treat that kids will love!

Campfire Banana Boats are easy to make, require minimal prep time, and can be enjoyed by everyone in the family.

Fun and Easy Camping Snack Foods for Kids

We could list an endless list of snack ideas for camping, and maybe we’ll do that in a future post. But how could we not at least mention trail mix? Also, dried fruit chips and homemade granola bars are a family favorite for us, super easy to prepare, and they’re easy to make ahead of time and store. 

Kids’ trail mix recipe

Looking for a simple and nutritious camping snack for kids? Look no further than our easy-to-make kids’ trail mix recipe. This delicious snack is packed with energy and can be customized to suit your child’s taste preferences.

Simply combine a mixture of their favorite nuts, dried fruits, and a sprinkle of chocolate chips or pretzels. Not only is this trail mix tasty, but it also provides essential nutrients for outdoor adventures.

It’s the perfect on-the-go snack to fuel and satisfy your little ones during your camping trip!

White Bean Dip With Veggies or Chips

White Bean Dip is a tasty and healthy option for something quick and easy. It’s easy to make and packed with flavor. All you need are canned white beans, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt.

Simply blend or mash all the ingredients together until smooth and creamy. Then, serve it with sliced vegetables, crackers, and chips for dipping. This dip is not only delicious but nutritious as it’s high in fiber and protein.

It’s a great way to get kids to eat their veggies while enjoying a yummy snack around the campfire. So give this easy camping snack a try on the next trip.

Homemade Banana Chips

Homemade banana chips are a tasty and nutritious snack that’s easy to make ahead of your trip. To make them, simply slice ripe bananas into thin rounds and spread them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake the banana slices in the oven at a low temperature until they become crispy. These homemade banana chips are a healthier alternative to store-bought snacks because they don’t contain any added sugars or preservatives.

Plus, they’re packed with essential nutrients like potassium and fiber, making them an excellent choice for keeping kids energized while exploring the great outdoors. So, if you’re trying to opt for naturally sweetened snacks, this is the perfect camping food for snacking on.

You can try this with other fruits, too, not just bananas. For example, you could try apple, pear, or even mango chips for some variation. Plus, it’s not super important for them to be crispy. We prefer ours to be a bit softer more often than not.

Apple and Cranberry Campfire Granola Bars

These Apple and cranberry Campfire Granola Bars are a delicious and nutritious snack option for kids while camping. They are easy to make and can be enjoyed by the whole family. Packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, dried cranberries, and apples, these granola bars provide energy for outdoor adventures.

They are also mess-free and perfect for on-the-go snacking. With their sweet and tangy flavors, these granola bars will surely satisfy those mid-day cravings during a camping trip.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup chopped apple
• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, dried cranberries, and chopped apple.
3. In a small saucepan, heat the almond butter, honey, maple syrup, and vanilla extract over low heat until melted and well combined.
4. Pour the melted mixture over the oat mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated.
5. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish and press it down firmly.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top.
7. Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars. Enjoy!

Make a point to try out this tasty make-ahead recipe idea!

Wrap-up: Campfire Cooking for the Whole Family

These delicious and nutritious camping meals for kids are sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. With these easy-to-prepare meal ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you’ll have plenty of options to keep the kids happy and their bellies full. Even when camping with limited tools and ingredients, it’s not hard to satisfy everyone’s palates.

So grab your ingredients and get cooking. It’s time to make some amazing memories around the campfire!

Frequently Asked Questions for Family Camping Meals and Planning

What are some easy camping meal ideas?

Simple meals work best at a campsite. Some easy options include:

• One-pot pasta
• Foil-wrapped vegetables
• Campfire tacos
• Marinated chicken skewers
• Grilled sausage with peppers
  These require minimal prep and cook quickly over a campfire or camp stove.

What are some camping meals for kids?

Kids tend to enjoy meals they can help assemble. Popular choices include:

• Hot dogs on a stick
• Grilled cheese sandwiches
• Quesadillas
• DIY pizza pockets
• Campfire nachos
  They are fast, fun, and customizable for picky eaters.

What cooking equipment should I bring for camping?

A basic camping kitchen should include:

• A portable camp stove or grill
• Cooking utensils (spatula, tongs, ladle)
• A pot, a pan, and a heat-safe skillet
• Cutting board and a sharp knife
• Foil for cooking and wrapping
• Matches or a lighter
• Oven mitts and a heat-resistant spoon
  This setup covers almost any meal you will cook outside.

What are some camping dessert ideas?

A campfire makes dessert easy. Some favorites include:

• Classic s’mores
• Campfire banana boats
• Grilled peaches with honey
• Campfire apple crisp
• Cinnamon sugar tortilla roll-ups
  All are sweet, simple, and kid-approved.

What are some make-ahead camping meals?

Make-ahead meals save time and keep camping stress-free. Try prepping:

• Chili
• Soups and stews
• Pasta sauces
• Marinated meats (frozen in bags)
• Overnight oats
  Freeze meals before the trip and reheat them at the campsite.

What are some easy campfire breakfast ideas?

Quick breakfast ideas that work well outdoors include:

• Oatmeal with toppings
• Breakfast burritos
• Yogurt parfaits
• Pre-made pancake batter cooked on a griddle
• Scrambled eggs with veggies
  These breakfasts give everyone a strong start to an active day.

What are some camping snack options?

Choose portable foods that do not require refrigeration, such as:

• Trail mix
• Granola bars
• Dried fruit
• Beef jerky
• Popcorn
• Crackers and nut butter
  These snacks pack easily and offer good energy on hikes or during downtime.

Should I bring pre-made camping meals?

Yes, pre-made meals can be a major time saver. They are especially useful for the first night when setting up camp takes more time. Options range widely, including frozen meals, pre-cooked pasta dishes, and store-bought camping entrees. Bringing at least one pre-made meal is a smart way to simplify your trip.