We took our first family camping trip this past weekend, and we came home with over 20 fun camping food and treat ideas for kids. It was a wonderful introduction to camping for our family and a great opportunity to test simple, kid-friendly recipes that are easy to make while outdoors.
Our First Camping Adventure
We camped in a beautifully restored vintage Serro Scotty travel trailer that my husband refurbished. I never thought I would enjoy camping, but this trip surprised me — the trailer is comfortable and charming, the weather was perfect, and we didn’t have any bugs. Even with a few unexpected moments (like stepping on a frog), the whole family had a blast. As a mom of three energetic boys, I appreciated how much fun they had exploring outdoors and how well our restored camper worked for all five of us.
Last Halloween we made homemade camping costumes and recreated our vintage trailer out of boxes — the boys loved it and even won first place in a local contest in Marietta, GA.
Our Serro Scotty Travel Trailer
Our Scotty is small but well-designed. The dinette table folds down and the cushions convert into a bed, and the top section converts into a bunk. It makes clever use of every inch of space so five of us fit surprisingly well.
The dinette converts into sleeping space, and the top bunk provides extra storage when not in use. The kitchen area is very practical: a removable counter for the stove and a microwave tucked underneath make prep simple even in a compact space.
Our two younger boys chose to sleep together, which freed the upper bunk for storage — a small but welcome convenience. The trailer’s awning gave us a bit of outdoor living space, and the kids loved the simple pleasures of camping: rolling in the grass, hunting for pine cones, and going on walks.
The boys loved exploring — watching roly-polies, going on scavenger hunts, and crafting pine cone people were highlights. Evenings were cozy with family time inside the trailer or gathered around a small campfire.
We had a fantastic time and are already planning our next trip. The kids were thrilled with the food and treats we prepared, and we can’t wait to try more ideas next time. Packing smart and preparing a few make-ahead elements made the trip easier and kept the focus on fun and family.
Favorite Camping Foods and Treats
Here are some of the kid-friendly favorites that were easy to make and popular with our boys:
- Banana Boats — Slice a banana lengthwise (leave the peel on), stuff with marshmallows, chocolate chips, and crushed graham cereal, then heat until the marshmallows are melty.
- Corn on a Stick — Break ears of corn in half and push a bamboo skewer into the base; it’s an easy, less-messy way for kids to enjoy corn.
- Acorn Treats — Use a mini wafer or cookie as the base, attach a Hershey’s Kiss on top, and add small caramel pieces or frosting to create a fun acorn shape.
- Animal S’more Toppers — Make s’more toppers ahead of time (bear, raccoon, owl, etc.) from edible decorations, then let kids place them on warmed marshmallows for a playful twist on classic s’mores.
We used marshmallows, chocolate bars, and graham crackers for s’mores and decorated them with edible eyes, sprinkles, and mini marshmallows to make animals. Prepping toppings in a container before leaving home made assembly quick at the campsite.
Other fun ideas that worked well or that we’re excited to try next time include campfire cones, watermelon pops on sticks, pudgy pies, campfire cookies, mac & cheese prepared over the fire, pizza pockets, quesadillas, Dutch oven desserts like caramel apple pie, grilled pizzas, and skillet cakes. These recipes are straightforward, kid-focused, and easy to adapt to a small camp kitchen or grill.
More Campfire Favorites
Other Camping Ideas and Recipes
- 40+ of the Best Camping Recipes — a great roundup for planning meals.
- Fun Camping Recipes for Kids — simple, kid-focused options to make at the campsite.
- 30+ of the Best Camping Ideas — tips and tricks to improve your camping experience.
We left the campsite with full bellies and lots of new ideas for our next trip. Many of these recipes are easy to prep at home, portable, and customizable to please picky eaters — perfect for families who want simple, tasty camping meals and memorable treats for kids.