Anyone else's kids refuse to try new foods on camping trips? | DadHQ

Anyone else's kids refuse to try new foods on camping trips?

Nov 211 min read

We went camping last month and I packed all this stuff to cook over the fire - foil packet dinners, hot dogs, s'mores obviously. My kids brought their own peanut butter sandwiches and ate those every single meal. Like actually refused to even try anything else. I get that camping is different and maybe they're just anxious about new foods in unfamiliar settings but it's frustrating when I spent time planning meals. Did I just pack the wrong stuff or is this normal behavior? Next trip I might just lean into it and let them pack their own meals so I'm not frustrated.

24 comments13 views

Comments(24)

KKarl J.Regular2d ago

Just bring the stuff they'll eat next time. Your peace of mind is worth more than trying to prove a point about foil packets. Save the fancy meals for when you're camping with other adults.

FFrank T.Regular2d ago

Did you let them help prepare any of the meals before the trip or while camping? Sometimes kids are more willing to eat stuff they had a hand in making. Just a thought.

NNoah B.New Dad2d ago

lol dude same. I spent like an hour prepping foil packets and my kids acted like I was trying to poison them. Now I just accept that camping meals are boring and I get excited about food again when we're home.

DDale J.Regular2d ago

ok but serious question - what KIND of foil packets? Because if they were like super veggie-heavy or had mushrooms or something, yeah that might be the issue. Kids are weird about unexpected textures in camping food.

JJoe C.Regular2d ago

Stop trying to make camping meal time a cooking show and just let them eat. They'll branch out eventually when they're hungry enough or older. This is not the hill.

BBenny R.Regular2d ago

Same but with my kids it was the opposite - they wanted hot dogs at EVERY meal and refused the actual dinner I made. Asked for hot dogs for breakfast. I was like buddy no.

HHarvey L.Regular2d ago

We tried something different - brought along a fun snack box with stuff they actually like but made it special/camping-exclusive. Popcorn you make in a cast iron, special trail mix, etc. Gave them the novelty without forcing new foods.

GGrant C.Regular2d ago

We started doing a camping "pizza night" with pre-made dough and let them top their own. Even our picky eater ate it because he made it. Maybe build in more interactive meals?

WWyatt C.Regular2d ago

How old are your kids? I found that my 8yo was way more adventurous with food once we let him help cook the foil packets instead of just serving them to him. Gave him some agency I guess.

SSam Y.Regular2d ago

Nailed it with the "unfamiliar settings = anxiety" comment. My therapist actually explained this with my sensory-sensitive kid. New environment + new food = too much change at once.

RRyan M.Regular2d ago

This is the way. Kids want comfort when camping. Just roll with it.

NNick J.Regular2d ago

My kids are the opposite problem - they want to eat ONLY s'mores and we have to basically force them to eat actual meals. How do I get your pb&j kids problem instead lol

AArchie M.Regular2d ago

Real talk though - how many camping trips have you done? First time campers are way more risk-averse with food. Second or third trip they usually loosen up a bit.

DDrew H.Regular2d ago

Your mistake was assuming kids have the same enthusiasm for camping meals that adults do. They don't. They're already stressed about sleeping outside.

MMike R.New Dad2d ago

Honestly the peanut butter sandwich thing might be a sensory issue or just genuine anxiety. If this continues, might be worth a chat with their pediatrician. My oldest had some food avoidance that turned out to be texture-related anxiety.

MMitch R.Regular2d ago

Honestly just pack the pb&j next time. Sounds like it's their comfort food and there's no prize for getting them to eat foil packets. Save your effort for trips where they might be more open to it.

NNolan J.Regular2d ago

I actually think letting them pack their own meals next time is smart. Gives them control and investment. They might surprise you when they choose the foods.

CChris F.Regular2d ago

This is 100% normal. My kids did the exact same thing with the foil packets I was so proud of. Turns out familiar food = comfort when everything else is unfamiliar (tent, sounds, no bathroom, etc). I started packing their "safe" foods on purpose now and it actually makes trips better.

RRaj P.Regular2d ago

haha yeah my 6yo ate pb&j for literally every meal on our last trip. I stopped fighting it.

TTerrence J.Regular2d ago

I get the frustration but also... is this really a battle worth having? They ate, they were fine, they were happy. Maybe the camping experience itself is the win here, not the gourmet meals?

EEd P.Regular2d ago

Pro tip: pack the pb&j AND the fancy foil packets. Let them eat the safe stuff, but also just... leave the good food out there for them to see adults enjoying it. Sometimes they come around if there's no pressure.

SSteve Q.Regular2d ago

Did you try the foil packets first before the trip to see if they'd even eat them at home? That might have been the first test.

FFinn M.Regular2d ago

Hot take: They're CAMPING. They don't need gourmet meals. Pack simple, let them eat their pb&j, and enjoy the fact that they're outdoors and not on screens. You're winning.

JJames H.Regular2d ago

My 7yo finally tried my foil packet on trip #4. Not trip #1. Patience wins here. Don't lean into full pb&j mode or you're setting a precedent. Just... also pack the backup.