It doesn’t have to be an all-day adventure. An hour in the fresh air and something tasty to eat can be enough to make it feel like a little adventure for the kids.
Here are our tips for easy outdoor food and simple autumn adventures with kids, whether you’re cooking over a campfire, bringing a camping stove or simply packing lunch in your backpack.
Choose a Destination
Kids will often walk farther when there’s something to reach. A lake, stream or other spot by the water is almost always a winner. There’s something about throwing stones into the water that never gets old. A small hill with a view works well too, even if it isn’t particularly high.
And if someone gets tired before you get there, it’s perfectly fine to stop somewhere along the way. Reaching the destination isn’t really the point.
Beaches aren’t just for summer either. A windy beach in October with a campfire and hot chocolate can be especially cosy.
You don’t need a huge hiking area, either. Often, the woods behind your neighbourhood are enough, as long as you can find a nice place to stop.
One tip: Let the kids set the pace on the way out, and expect the walk back to go twice as fast.
Campfire Favorites
A campfire takes a little time, but that’s part of the fun.
Campfire bread on a stick is a fun one to try with kids. Make the dough at home and bring it along in a Tupperware box. Wrap a little dough around the end of a suitable stick and hold it over the hot coals. Keep it away from the flames, or it can quickly turn black on the outside while staying raw in the middle. And expect the first one to get a little burnt—that’s part of the experience.
Hot dogs roasted over the fire are a classic and still one of the easiest options. Bring a few more than you think you’ll need. It’s surprisingly easy for one to end up in the fire.
Toasties are another easy option. Add cheese and ham between two slices of bread and toast the sandwich over the coals for a few minutes on each side.
Apples and bananas cooked over the coals make an easy dessert. Cook sliced apple with a little cinnamon in a small cast-iron skillet or another campfire-safe pan over the coals. Or cut a slit lengthwise in a banana, tuck a few pieces of chocolate inside and place it in its skin on a grill grate over the coals.
A Quick Note About Campfire Safety
Campfire rules vary depending on where you are, and temporary fire restrictions may be in place during dry conditions. Always check the current rules for the park, campsite, forest or recreation area you’re visiting before starting a fire.
Use designated fire pits where required, never leave a fire unattended and make sure it’s completely extinguished and cool before you leave.
A Camping Stove Makes Things Easy
With young kids, a camping stove can be an easy alternative to a campfire. It’s quick, there’s no smoke blowing into anyone’s eyes and you don’t have to search for dry firewood.
And a camping stove can do much more than just boil water:
Pancakes. Make the batter at home and bring it along in a bottle. Eating pancakes outdoors can feel almost like going to a restaurant for little adventurers.
Hot dogs. Boil sausages in water or cook them in a pan. Bring hot dog buns, ketchup and mustard, and lunch is taken care of.
Soup. A simple tomato soup is perfect for warming up on a chilly autumn day.
Porridge. Perfect if you head out early. For some reason, porridge tastes a little better outdoors than it does at home.
Coffee for the adults. Maybe one of the most important things.
Keep Your Autumn Adventures Simple with a Packed Lunch
Sandwiches somehow taste better outdoors. So does fruit, and sliced carrots often disappear much faster when you’re sitting on a tree stump than they do at the kitchen table.
If you’re just heading out for a short adventure after nursery, a packed lunch is often the easiest option. And simple is usually more than good enough.
Don’t Forget Something Warm to Drink
A warm drink can work wonders when little bodies get cold. Hot chocolate or warm apple juice tastes especially good outdoors. Make it at home and bring it in a flask, or warm it up on your camping stove.
Look for Little Treasures Along the Way
There’s plenty to discover outdoors in autumn, and for kids, the search itself is often just as much fun as what they find.
Acorns, pinecones, colourful leaves and interesting rocks can turn a simple walk into a treasure hunt. Bring a small bag, let the kids collect a few things that catch their eye, and see what you can make with them when you get home.
You can also make a little game out of spotting signs of fall along the way: the biggest leaf, the smallest acorn, an unusual rock or as many different leaf colours as you can find.
When it comes to mushrooms, it’s best to leave them where they are unless you know exactly what you’ve found. If you’d like to learn more, look for guided mushroom walks or local experts in your area.
When Gloves and Flasks Go Missing
It’s easy to leave a flask behind on a tree stump or lose a glove somewhere along the trail. That’s why it can be helpful to label the things you bring along with personalised name labels that include your name and phone number. That way, there’s a better chance that anything left behind will find its way home.
Enjoy Your Autumn Adventure!
Things don’t always go exactly as planned. The campfire bread might get a little burnt, someone may drop a hot dog into the fire and someone else will probably step into a puddle along the way.
But there’s something special about crisp autumn air, rosy cheeks and hot chocolate outdoors. You don’t have to go far or plan anything elaborate to have a great little adventure.
And coming home to a warm, cosy house might feel even better afterwards.
