This is a sponsored post, all opinions are my own.
Some of the fondest memories I have of my childhood were of camping every summer with scouts. Perhaps it was the fresh mountain air or more than likely the cooked-over-an-open-flame-camp-food as to why I loved camping so much as a kid. Now that I am a mom one of the most important activities I wanted to do with my kids was to take them camping. I wanted my kids to grow up loving the outdoors as much as I did. Thankfully, I met a friend last year that is as adventurous as I am. Last summer, we started packing up and taking our kids camping every few weeks for a couple of days at a time. Being as this is our second summer of camping, I have learned a few things along the way. Now I am so excited to share with you guys a few simple tips to creating easy camping family dinner that doesn’t break the bank.
Hot dogs For The Win
Allow me to be honest for a moment and admit that hot dogs are never my first choice of meat in a bun. However, they are inexpensive and fast to cook. Best yet, the kids can cook their hot dogs themselves over an open flame. It’s entertainment and food all in one, and that my friends is what we call a win.
Prepacked Green Salad
I could eat a green salad any day of the week. Since I love salads so much, so do my kids. It’s a great way to get in your daily does of healthy vegetables too. I pre-cut my romaine lettuce and store in a large storage bag with a small piece of paper towel to keep the leaves from wilting. Then I place pre-cut veggies such as cucumber, carrots, tomatoes in a separate bag. I line the bottom of a large plastic salad bowl with freezer packs and place the lettuce and veggies on top. Sometimes I sandwich the two with more freezer packs depending on the weather. Toss in croutons or crispy wontons on top and voila! Easy green salad that is ready to eat!
Juice Juice To Stay Hydrated
Camping in the open outdoors can be exhausting and tiring. Especially if you tucker the kids out with a long hike before bed. I love having Juicy Juice Waters on hand at home. Taking them with us on our camping trips is even more awesome! My kids and their friends love drinking them after our long hikes. The organic Juicy Juice waters are simply: water with a splash of flavor with no sugar, no sweetners and no high fructose corn syrup.
Small Chip Bags
Although I always have the kids wash their hands with soap and water before every meal, I’m still kinda grossed out by dirty kid cooties. It may be more cost effective to purchase two large bags of chips. However, the idea of all those grubby kid hands reaching into the bags sends me. That and I never seem to buy everyone’s favorite chip and “boohooboohoo life is just so hard” (LOL!). I started purchasing small chip bags, that way everyone has a preset chip portion and their own bag to shove their dirty fingers into.
More S’mores?
No camping evening is better concluded than with s’mores. For this tasty, yet sticky dessert I like to have the chocolate and graham crackers pre-portioned before we go. That way all I have to do is grab a few bags and voila, we have a delicious treat. Just don’t forget to keep handy wipes nearby for those sticky kid fingers!
And that is it my Funny Friends. Easy enough right? If you’re camping for more than one evening at a time (you brave soul, you!). Just consider using more of these same easy camping family dinner ideas. Pre-pack and pre-cut everything before you go. Have fun!
