Healthy Snacks for Your Family Camping Trip

A family camping trip is one of the healthiest activities your family can do together. It breaks the routine of modern life, it gets the family doing activities away from a screen, and it’s an opportunity for everyone to come closer together.

Of course, there are always things to plan for. One of the big concerns is food. Camping makes you hungrier than normal with all the activities, but what to eat? The classic camping foods, like hot dogs and s’mores are great little treats, but healthy eating can’t be forgotten for the whole trip.

Fear not, because with a little planning and forethought, there are plenty of options for healthy snacks for your family camping trip. Read on for a few fun and different ideas.

The Classic Cornbread Around the Campfire

There is nothing more classic than cornbread and chili around the campfire. A good, hearty chili can be filling, full of healthy foods like beans, carrots, and potatoes. This makes a delicious dinner for your first night out. Meanwhile, the cornbread provides the perfect amount of sweetness.

To make chili and cornbread while camping, start with packing a cast-iron skillet. Pack one or two mixes for the cornbread and canned goods, fresh ingredients, and seasonings to make the chili. Look over your recipes for anything else you might miss. The leftover cornbread will make an easy, filling snack for the next day.

Don’t Forget About Your Dog

If the whole family’s going on this trip, then the whole family will need some healthy treats. Don’t forget about your best four-legged friend. While a lot of dogs will enjoy scraps around the campfire, you’ll also need to bring along their food. Packing their normal dog food in measured out bags, so you don’t have to bring the whole bag, is a good plan. If you’re bringing dry food, make sure it’s packed in a waterproof container so it doesn’t get wet and soggy.

Other things to bring along include their water dish, a dog blanket and bed, CBD dog biscuits, and any regular treats. If your dog tends to get car sick or nervous, the CBD biscuits will help keep them calm and well during the trip.

Apple Slices with Toppings

Slice the apples at the campsite into little cookie like spheres. Then spread a layer of peanut butter on top. Now let everyone sprinkle on their own toppings, like shredded coconut, raisins, nuts, and dried fruits. A delicious and healthy treat is ready to go!

Make Your Own Trail Mix

You can’t go camping without trail mix! A lot of the pre-made packages have additives your family doesn’t need, and everyone in your household will have different tastes. As an easy and fun activity that lets everyone get exactly what they want, bring along individual bags of homemade trail mix consisting of dried fruits, nuts, and a few sweets. Give everyone their own empty bag to create their own ideal trail mix with. Afterward, this becomes a grab and go option.

This is a good opportunity to make use of the bulk bins at your local grocery store, where they will have a mix of many options perfect for this.

Popcorn Over the Fire

It’s a classic for a reason, and the kids will get a kick out of making popcorn over the fire. When it’s done, sprinkle on some herbs and grated parmesan for something a little extra.

Grilled Blooming Onions

Cut into the onion, pour on some spices or sauces, and then wrap it up in foil. It’s then ready to be thrown on the grill or to the side of the campfire, similar to how you would cook an aluminum foil wrapped potato. When done, you have a fire roasted blooming onion that is a delicious and different camping snack the family can enjoy.

Prepared Foods to Bring Along

Some ideas for snacks that are easy to grab and bring along are carrot sticks, hummus dip, pretzel sticks, turkey jerky, or a tray of sliced veggies and dip.

A Few Preparation Tips for the Family Camping Trip

Before you go, do whatever meal prep you can ahead of time. If you measure out the ingredients and pack them in containers you won’t have to bring extra things along with you on the trip. It will also make putting meals together easier.

Plan to cook together on the trip and not only eat pre-made foods. Cooking together over a campfire is fun and an opportunity to bond. This is just another part of the camping experience that makes the trip great. That being said, also bring some prepared things that everyone can easily grab when they’re hungry. When you go for a long hike or a spontaneous swim in the lake, everyone will come back hungry and wanting to eat right away.

With this bit of planning done, you’ll be well on your way to a weekend of healthy food and outdoor adventures you can enjoy together.