Simple Meals for RV Camping with Kids

Simple Meals for RV Camping with Kids
See one family’s go-to favorites and an example meal plan!

By: Dom Carson

One of the best parts about camping in our Winnebago Micro Minnie 2100BH is that we don’t have to sacrifice good food for convenience. With the big fridge and all the space we have, we can bring along meals that feel a little more like home and still keep it simple enough that we’re not stuck cooking when we’d rather be out hiking, paddling, or playing with our daughter. 

Over the years, we’ve figured out a system: prep as much as possible at home, stick with family favorites, and keep a balance between quick grab-and-go food and dinners that feel like a treat after a day outside. Here are some of our go-to camping meals with kids that check all those boxes …

1. Pre-Cooked Meats for Quick Dinners

This is our number one camping hack: cook the meat at home, then just heat and eat at camp. It saves a ton of time, keeps cleanup minimal, and makes dinner feel hearty with almost no effort.

• Taco Meat: Pre-cooked and seasoned ground beef or chicken is a lifesaver. We use it for tacos, nachos, or quesadillas.
• Pulled Pork or Brisket: We’ll make a big batch at home, portion it, and freeze it. Perfect for sliders, sandwiches, or even a BBQ plate with a quick side.
• Grilled Chicken: A couple of grilled chicken breasts sliced up for wraps, salads, or even just with a side of veggies.

2. Make-Ahead Side Dishes

I always like to have a couple of sides ready to pull straight from the fridge. That way, we can throw something on the stove or the fire and already have a fresh side to go with it.

• Pasta Salad: This is our absolute must-have. It works for lunch or dinner and keeps really well. I make one with smoked farmers sausage in it so that we can just eat that for a quick lunch if we need to.
• Potato Salad or Coleslaw: Easy to prep ahead and makes pulled pork sandwiches feel like a real meal.
• Chopped Veggies & Hummus: Not technically a side dish, but perfect for snacking or to set out while dinner heats up to satisfy a hungry little stomach while she waits.

3. Kid-Friendly Favorites

Camping with kids means having food that they’ll actually eat after a big day outside. We keep it simple but fun.

• Hot dogs on the fire: Classic and always a win. Plus, using roasting sticks is half the fun.
• Burgers: The boxed kind works fine, but we’ll also pre-make individual burgers at home from ground meat and it’s an easy meal that our girl is sure to eat.
• Breakfast-for-Dinner: Pancakes, eggs, and bacon are always a hit, and it’s one of the easiest meals to pull off at camp.

4. Easy Breakfasts & Lunches

Mornings can feel busy when you’re getting out for an adventure, so I like breakfasts that are quick or prepped.

• Overnight Oats: Ready to go straight from the fridge.
• Breakfast Burritos: Pre-wrap and freeze them at home, then just heat them up.
• Sandwiches & Wraps: Lunch is usually simple: deli meat, cheese, and whatever veggies we have. Add some fruit and chips and we’re good to go.

5. Snacks that Double as Meals

If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that snacks are almost as important as meals with kids around. We keep things that can stretch into an easy lunch if needed.

• Cheese sticks, crackers, and fruit
• Granola bars and trail mix
• Tortilla chips and leftover taco meat for quick nachos

A Few Camping Meal Prep Tips We Swear By

• Cook big batches at home. Portion, freeze, and let them thaw in the fridge during the trip.
• Pack smart containers. Clear square containers make it easy to grab what you need quickly, and the square ones fit nicely in the fridge stacked on top of one another. 
• Plan for flexible meals. The same pre-cooked chicken can be wraps one night and quesadillas the next.
• Leave room for treats. S’mores are non-negotiable, and sometimes we’ll get stuff to make an apple crisp in the dutch oven over the fire if we know we have a chill evening at camp planned.

Why Eating Well While Camping Matters

For us, food is part of the adventure. We spend our days hiking, biking, or chasing our daughter around camp, and eating well is what fuels us to do more of it. Having hearty, balanced meals ready to go means no one is running on empty and it makes those long days outside feel even better. 

Plus, by prepping most of it ahead of time, we keep dishes to a minimum at camp. Less time scrubbing pots and pans means more time exploring together, which is really the whole point.

Read more tips for RV travel with a toddler.

Sample 3-Day Camping Meal Plan

Sometimes it helps to see it all laid out. Here’s an example of how we might plan a long weekend camping trip, keeping things simple but still delicious:

Day 1

• Breakfast: Breakfast burritos (pre-made, just heat and serve) & fruit
• Lunch: Sandwiches & pasta salad
• Dinner: Pulled pork sliders & coleslaw
• Snack/Dessert: S’mores by the fire

Day 2

• Breakfast: Pancakes, bacon, & eggs
• Lunch: Wraps with grilled chicken, hummus, & veggies
• Dinner: Tacos with pre-cooked taco meat, toppings, & tortilla chips on the side
• Snack/Dessert: Dutch oven apple crisp

Day 3

• Breakfast: Overnight oats, yogurt, & granola
• Lunch: Nachos with leftover taco meat & fresh veggies
• Dinner: Hot dogs on the fire & pasta salad
• Snack/Dessert: Roasted marshmallows & hot cocoa

Camping meals don’t have to be fancy, but they also don’t need to be boring. With a little planning and some pre-trip cooking, we get to eat well and still spend most of our time exploring. At the end of the day, that’s what matters most: good food, a happy kid, and more adventures together.