"Now that school is out, the weather is hotter, and my daughter is at day camp instead of in a school building, I have to change my approach to our usual school lunches. Instead of knowing that the packed summer camp lunch will be in a temperature-controlled environment until it’s time to eat, I have to plan for items that will last during warm, day-long field trips with just a lunch box (and sometimes an ice pack). I also know there isn’t access to a microwave. There’s so much to keep in mind when it comes to summer camp lunch ideas—but I’m here to help.
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When it comes to what to pack, I want to provide my child items that will stay fresh while still having some variety and good fuel for a long and active day. Most meats and dairy won’t last very long, and only some fruits and veggies will store well. Chocolate as a dessert item is also not a great idea. With all of that in mind, I’ve rounded up some options for summer camp lunch items that don’t need to be refrigerated and easy lunch ideas for summer camp that require minimal refrigeration, so my kid can enjoy a decent lunch in the middle of a zoo-day field trip that isn’t warm, spoiled or melted.
With an option from each of the categories in the shopping list below, you can pack filling and healthy day camp lunch ideas that will last on even the warmest of summer afternoons. From the list, I mix and match a main item (like a sandwich, wrap or salad) with a fruit and/or veggie, and a side dish/snack or two to include grains or additional protein. A couple times a week I’ll add a dessert for a fun surprise. And, perhaps most importantly, don’t forget to send along a reusable water bottle for those warm, active camp days!
Healthy Summer Camp Lunch Ideas
Fruits and Veggies:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Grapes
- Berries
- Clementines
- Pears
- Peaches
- Nectarines
- Cherries
- Sliced watermelon
- Fruit cups (like Mandarian oranges)
- Applesauce cups
- Dried fruit
- Baby carrots
- Celery sticks
- Snap peas
- Cherry or grape tomatoes
- Mini cucumbers or cucumber slices
- Mini bell peppers or bell pepper slices
- Broccoli florets
- Black olive cups
Sandwiches, Wraps, and Salads:
- Frozen Uncrustable (so that it will be thawed by mid-day)
- Peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, or Nutella in a sandwich, roll-up, or on top of a rice cake
- Tuna or chicken salad sandwich or wrap (or pair with crackers)
- Summer sausage or pepperoni with crackers
- Bagel or pita with hummus
- Pasta, rice or quinoa salad
- White bean salad
- Chickpea salad
- Grain or bean salad with a vinaigrette dressing
Snacks and Sides:
- Pretzels
- Sun Chips
- Wheat Thins
- Triscuits
- Popcorn
- Granola bar
- Veggie Straws
- Beef jerky
- Animal crackers
- Dry cereal
- Fruit strips
- Chips and salsa
- Frozen yogurt tube (so it will be thawed by mid-day)
- Nuts (if allowed) like almonds, peanuts, cashews, pistachios
Desserts and Treats:
- Chocolate pudding cup
- Mini muffins
- Oreos
- Nutella & Go! pack
- Chocolate chip cookie
- Tootsie Pop sucker
- Gummy candy
Easy-to-Make Summer Camp Lunch Pairings
1. Turkey pepperoni with crackers + bell pepper slices + cherries + pistachios
A great day camp lunch option that doesn’t need to be refrigerated, this idea is so easy to throw together. Simply pair pizza-sized pepperoni slices with crackers and add in your child’s favorite fruits, veggies, and some nuts (if allowed).
2. Turkey + grapes + apples slices + pretzel thins + cheese crisps
Because it includes deli turkey slices, this lunch idea from Momables is great for a day camp that can refrigerate your child’s lunch until mid-day. The meat, fruit, and snack options featured can also easily be swapped for other options that are your child’s favorites.
3. Tuna salad packet + apple + mini cucumber + Nutella & Go! pack
A go-to option for older kids because it requires a little DIY’ing, this protein-packed lunch includes a tuna salad packet that can be added into a tortilla to make a yummy roll-up as the main dish. Paired with a fruit, veggie, and snack treat, this summer camp lunch idea is sure to be a hit!
4. Sandwich on a Stick
This creative idea from food blogger Two Peas & Their Pod is a fun twist on a traditional lunch sandwich paired with fruit and veggie sides. Simply assemble a few of your kiddo’s favorite sandwich ingredients (think deli meat, cheese, PB&J, etc.) with extra items like raspberries, grapes, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, and more. If adding the kebab stick is too annoying to pack in a lunch box—or your child isn’t old enough to deconstruct it at lunch time—simply add all of the components into a Lunchable-style meal instead!
5. Banana sushi rolls + grapes + kiwi
Another summer camp lunch idea we love from Momables, this is a helpful option for toddlers and younger children as it only includes a few kid-friendly ingredients and is easy to eat. Simply pair a bunch of grapes and kiwi slices with a few banana sushi rolls, made by rolling up pieces of banana coated in peanut butter within a tortilla.
Tips for Packing Lunches for Summer Camp
Know how the lunch will be stored
Unlike at school, it can be difficult to know where your child’s summer camp lunch will be stored prior to lunch time—and if it’ll be refrigerated. Keep this in mind and opt for packing lunches that require no refrigeration with items that won’t spoil in a paper bag or frozen items that will thaw in time to be eaten mid-day.
Think about easy lunch packaging
This tip goes hand-in-hand with the one above when it comes to the types of food you choose to include in your child’s summer camp lunch. However, it’s additionally important to think about how you’re packaging these items. If, for example, your child goes to day camp with a backpack that they’ll come home with, it’s likely best to pack a Bento Box-style lunch box with an optional ice pack that can be reused each day. But, my daughter sometimes goes on camp field trips that require a paper-bag lunch with items in disposable containers that she can throw out after lunch time. Be sure to keep their schedule of activities in mind when deciding how to pack that day’s summer camp lunch.
Provide hand sanitizer or hand wipes
If you’re not sure if your little one will be able to wash their hands with soap and water before eating their lunch, it can be helpful to tuck a small bottle of hand sanitizer or individually-packed hand wipes into their lunch box or bag. Clean hands will (hopefully) keep everyone healthy and happy all summer long! 🙂
Part with (most) leftovers
Aside from some shelf-stable items like crackers, chips and cookies, many of the items you pack in your child’s daily summer camp lunch likely need to be eaten that day. While we hate being wasteful, it’s best to throw away any uneaten meats, cheeses or refrigerated items—especially if you don’t know for sure where the lunch box was stored after lunch time. Take a better safe than sorry approach with leftovers and, to avoid throwing too much out, only pack what your child is likely to eat each day.
Brigette Marshall, Contributing Writer
Brigette is a mom of two little girls and works full-time in project management, both at home and in the office. She loves book clubbing, antique shopping, watching documentaries, and convincing her husband to cook gourmet meals for her.
Julia Poulter, Senior Managing Editor
With more than 10 years of editorial experience, Julia is passionate about bringing motherhood stories to life and providing moms with interesting and informative parenting content. Prior to joining The Everygirl Media Group in 2019, she served as Executive Editor at Closer Weekly. As The Everymom’s Senior Managing Editor, Julia helps manage the brand’s editorial calendar and content strategy.