Snacks Kids Actually Like to Eat While Hiking
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Snacks Kids Actually Like to Eat While Hiking
One of the quickest ways to turn a family hike into a grumpy march back to the car is to run out of snacks. Kids burn through energy faster than you’d expect, and it doesn’t take long for “I’m hungry” to turn into “I don’t want to walk anymore.” The tricky part is finding snacks that are healthy, packable, and — most importantly — that kids will actually eat.
Here are a few simple recipes and ideas you can make at home that are trail-friendly, quick to prepare, and guaranteed to be more exciting than a squashed muesli bar at the bottom of the pack.
Trail Mix With a Twist
Plain trail mix doesn’t always cut it with kids. But give them the chance to build their own mix and suddenly it’s fun — and far more likely to be eaten.
Make it at home:
- A base of nuts (almonds, cashews, or walnuts) or sunflower/pumpkin seeds if you need a nut-free option.
- Dried fruit like sultanas, apricots, or cranberries.
- Something fun: mini pretzels, popcorn, yoghurt drops, or a small handful of chocolate chips.
Tip: Let each child scoop their ingredients into their own small container before the hike. The ownership makes all the difference — and so does the surprise of having their favourite treat mixed in with the healthy stuff.
No-Bake Energy Balls
These are little bite-sized power packs that don’t melt, don’t make a mess, and keep kids fuelled for the trail.
Recipe (makes about 12):
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup peanut butter (or sunflower butter for nut-free)
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
- Optional mix-ins: desiccated coconut, dried cranberries, cocoa powder, or a few mini choc chips
Method:
- Stir everything together in a bowl until combined.
- Roll into small balls (about a tablespoon each).
- Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before packing them in a container.
These last a few days in the fridge and can be frozen if you want to make a bigger batch ahead of time. We normally pop them into a ziplock bag and then into the lunch box as they can break up a bit from bouncing around in the backpack on a trail.
Veggie & Dip Packs
Veggies on their own don’t always excite kids, but add a dip and suddenly it feels like a treat.
Prep ideas:
- Slice carrot sticks, cucumber, or capsicum into small snack boxes.
- Add a little screw-top jar of hummus, cream cheese, or a yoghurt-based dip.
Quick hummus recipe:
- 1 can chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of half a lemon
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Pinch of salt
Blend until smooth, add a splash of water if needed, and portion into small jars.
The key here is sturdy vegetables that won’t turn soggy in the pack. Kids love dipping — and you’ll sneak some extra nutrients into the day without much fuss.
Homemade Fruit Leather
Fruit that looks like lollies? That’s a win. Fruit leather is just blended fruit, dried into chewy strips that are easy to carry and fun to eat.
Recipe:
- 3 cups ripe fruit (mango, apple, berries, or a mix)
- 1–2 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
Method:
- Blend fruit until smooth.
- Spread thinly on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
- Bake on the lowest oven setting (around 80–90°C) for 3–4 hours until the mixture is dried and no longer sticky.
- Cool, then cut into strips and roll up in baking paper.
This one takes some time in the oven, but it’s mostly hands-off. The result is a healthy treat that feels like a sweet reward at the halfway point of the hike.
Wrap them up in a small piece of wax paper, or just on their own in a lunch box. They can be quite sticky on their own depending on the fruit you use.
Final Thoughts
Snacks can make or break a family day out in the bush. A few minutes of prep at home means you’ll have easy, healthy options on hand — and fewer meltdowns along the way. Best of all, these recipes are simple enough that the kids can help make them, which makes them even more excited to eat them on the trail.
Try one (or all) of these ideas before your next hike — you might find they’re just as popular at home as they are out on the track.