Campfire Recipes for Kids

Coals, not flames

Every recipe here depends on cooking over glowing orange coals, not active flame - the same rule that applies to any campfire cooking. Flames burn the outside of food before the inside cooks and are unpredictable to work near with kids close to the fire. Give the fire 30-45 minutes to burn down before starting to cook, and keep kids on stick-roasting duty seated, not standing and reaching.

Build-your-own foil packets

Set out small bowls of pre-cut ingredients - diced chicken or sausage, sliced potatoes, peppers, onions, corn, a pat of butter, seasoning - and let each kid build their own foil packet. There's no wrong combination, and a kid who cooked their own dinner is far more likely to actually eat it. Double-wrap in foil, seal the edges tightly, and cook directly on the coals for 15-20 minutes, flipping once.

Roasting stick foods beyond marshmallows

A good telescoping roasting stick is good for more than s'mores. Hot dogs work exactly the same way. Garlic bread - a slice buttered and garlic-seasoned, held over the coals until golden - is a fast side. Refrigerated biscuit or crescent dough wrapped in a spiral around the stick and toasted until golden makes a “campfire twist” that can be filled with jam or butter after.

Pie iron sandwiches

A pie iron - two hinged metal plates on long handles - turns bread and fillings into a sealed, toasted pocket in the coals. Butter both outer sides of two bread slices, fill with cheese (grilled cheese) or pizza sauce, cheese, and pepperoni (pizza pocket), close the iron, and hold in the coals for 3-4 minutes per side. It's not required equipment, but it's an easy win if you already have one.

Campfire desserts beyond s’mores

Banana boats

Slice a banana lengthwise without cutting all the way through, stuff the slit with chocolate chips and mini marshmallows, wrap in foil, and warm in the coals for 5-8 minutes until melted. Eat straight out of the peel with a spoon - no plate needed.

Campfire cones

Fill a waffle cone with marshmallows, chocolate chips, and fruit, wrap in foil, and warm at the edge of the coals for a few minutes until everything softens. A good low-mess option for a group of kids who each want their own.

Keeping kids safe around the coals

• Long sticks, seated roasting. A telescoping stick keeps hands well back from heat, and roasting from a seated position prevents the stumble-into-the-fire scenario that standing and reaching invites.
• One adult on fire duty during active cooking. Foil packets and pie irons go directly into or next to the coals - that part is adult work even when kids built the packet themselves.
• Establish a fire perimeter kids don't cross without an adult, the same rule that applies any time a campfire is going.

For the fire itself - building it, keeping it burning at the right stage for cooking - see starting a fire and fire structures.

What to prep at home

Pre-cut all foil packet vegetables and proteins at home and store them in labeled bags or containers - cutting boards and knives are not a kid-camp-cooking activity. Pre-butter bread for pie irons if you're bringing one. The more that's ready to simply assemble at the picnic table, the more of this is actually kid-led rather than parent-led with kids watching.

For the rest of the meal plan around these recipes, see easy family camping meals or the full family camping meal plan.

Frequently asked

What age can kids start roasting things over a campfire?

Around age 5-6 with close supervision and a long telescoping stick. Younger kids can still help by building foil packets well back from the coals.

Can kids help build their own foil packet dinner?

Yes - set out pre-cut ingredients and let them assemble their own combination. It's forgiving, hands-on, and gets picky eaters to actually eat what they made.

What's a good campfire dessert besides s'mores?

Banana boats - a banana stuffed with chocolate chips and marshmallows, foil-wrapped and warmed in the coals - are the most popular alternative, with campfire cones a close second.

Do I need a pie iron for campfire cooking?

No. It's a nice-to-have for sealed toasted sandwiches, but foil packets and roasting sticks cover the same hands-on ground without any special equipment.