Foods of Summer: Outdoor Snacks

by Dena Bless
Aug. 24, 2026

Summer is such a great time for being outdoors – camping, hiking, going to the beach or park, etc. And having the right snack can sometimes make or break the activity! And it’s even more fun if the whole family gets to be involved in their creation. Here are a few favorites that everyone – from the very little to the older – can participate with and enjoy:

Trail Mix

This snack works for all activities. And the possibilities are endless. Trail mix can be salty, savory, sweet, or (my personal favorite) a combination of all of the above. Experiment and try different combinations. A fun way to create one for the whole family is to have everyone add their favorite ingredient.

If you want to include some fun science, experiment with different ingredients in different situations. Some suggested items to experiment with would be chocolate chips versus candy coated chocolate or different types of nuts or dried fruits or various pretzels or crackers.

• What works for a hot, sandy day at the beach? 

• What might be better for a long hike in the redwoods? 

• Which ingredients fare better in different situations and climates? 

• Which ingredients help energize and replenish you for different activities (e.g. salt or protein content)?

Nut Butter No Bake Energy Balls

Speaking of protein content, for those long(er) hikes or bike rides, energy balls can be a great pick-me-up. They also tend to keep well, so they’re a good choice for backpacking as well. You can use a variety of nut butters to make them, and can change around some of the ingredients, so they tend to be very allergy friendly.

If you don’t already have a favorite recipe, you can try one of these: No Bake Peanut Butter Power Balls or No Bake, High Calorie Energy Bites.

And you can always halve or double the recipe for math (fractions) practice.

S’mores

When my girls were younger, we used to camp every summer with at least two other families from church. One of the highlights for everyone – kids and grown-ups alike – was making s’mores around the campfire at the end of the day. 

Now, everyone knows that s’mores are made with graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate, right? Did you know some people think they’re supposed to be made with graham crackers, marshmallows, and . . . peanut butter? Whoever heard of such a thing?! However, after I did, I started realizing that the chocolate and peanut butter are awfully yummy together! And thus, what my friends then started calling “the Dena,” came to be. Spread your graham crackers with peanut butter (either smooth or chunky works, whichever you prefer), and lay down a piece of chocolate (preferably dark, but milk chocolate works too) that’s not too thick and about the same size as your graham cracker. As soon as it’s ready, add a nicely toasted marshmallow, which should melt the chocolate a bit, and now it’s ready to be savored.

If you have access to different modes of cooking, experiment with roasting marshmallows over a gas stove top, a wood fire, or a fire pit that runs on propane. 

• Does one work better than the other? 

• Is the timing or temperature different? 

• Or answer the ultimate question: How much toasting is the right amount? Can a burnt marshmallow really be considered “toasted”?

Now it’s your turn!

What is your favorite treat for outdoor activities? We’d love to hear your ideas for different variations of those listed above or something else entirely that your family enjoys!

________________________________

Dena Bless is glad her husband pushed her into homeschooling their two daughters. She’s so excited about the benefits of privately homeschooling that she is now even more involved in the homeschool world, including being the Events Manager for CHEA. But right now she’s ready to go buy some marshmallows and make a s’more (a “Dena” of course)!