Cheap Picnic Food Ideas for Kids
Taking kids on a picnic is fun, but packing good fun food without spending too much can be tricky. The great news is you don’t need fancy ingredients or lots of time to make tasty, cheap meals and snacks kids will enjoy.
With a few easy ideas and simple ingredients, you can put together food that’s perfect for any picnic at the park, beach, or even your own backyard. In this post, you’ll find easy and affordable picnic food ideas that kids will love and that won’t cost you a lot. These ideas make it simple to keep little tummies full and happy while you enjoy the day outside.
Tips on How To Make Cheap Picnic Food Ideas for Kids
- Keep It Finger-Friendly: Kids love food they can eat with their hands. Think sandwiches, fruit slices, mini wraps, cheese cubes, or homemade muffins. It cuts down on mess and makes eating outdoors easier—no forks or knives needed.
- Use What You Already Have: Before heading to the store, check your fridge and pantry. Leftover chicken, pasta, or even rice can be turned into simple picnic meals like wraps, cold salads, or rice balls. This saves money and avoids waste.
- Pack Smart Snacks: Stick to low-cost, filling snacks like popcorn, pretzels, cut veggies, or hard-boiled eggs. These are easy to prepare, travel well, and keep kids satisfied between meals.
- Keep It Cool and Safe: Use an insulated lunch bag or cooler with an ice pack to keep food fresh. If you’re packing dairy, meat, or anything perishable, this step is extra important—especially on warm days.
- Make it Fun: I’m including all sorts of fun looking snacks with bright colors, or cool treats, or home baked goods. Really they are super fun picnic foods to make something really simple really special.
Frequently Asked Questions on Cheap Picnic Food Ideas for Kids
Can I prepare picnic food ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare picnic food ahead of time. Making it the night before saves time and stress on the day of the picnic. Just store everything in the fridge and pack it in a cooler when you’re ready to go. Most of these foods are ideal to make the day before.
How do I keep food fresh and safe on a hot day?
To keep food fresh and safe on a hot day, pack everything in an insulated cooler or lunch bag with ice packs. Keep it in the shade and only open it when needed. Avoid leaving perishable foods like meat, cheese, or dairy out for too long—serve them quickly and put leftovers back in the cooler right away.
Is it okay to pack sweets for a kid’s picnic?
Yes, it’s okay to pack a few sweets for a kid’s picnic, as long as it’s in moderation. Don’t worry, I’m definitely including sweets in this roundup!
Simple treats like homemade cookies, fruit skewers, or a small piece of chocolate can make the picnic more fun. Just balance it out with healthy options like fruits, veggies, and protein snacks.
Image Credit: thesoccermomblog
These mini Corn Dog Muffins are a delicious, bite-sized, kid-friendly snack or dinner! Tastes just like real corn dogs, but easier to make with just 5 ingredients and no frying!
With these easy corn dog muffins, you get all the flavor of that ball park classic, without all the mess of frying! And these mini muffins are the perfect size for tucking in a lunchbox!
Get the full recipe from: The Soccer Mom Blog
Image Credit: myminichefs
Easy Mini Pizzas are the ultimate party food! These little pizzas are perfect for a quick kids’ dinner or snack, or any event where finger foods are the main attraction.
From Super Bowl to slumber parties to New Year’s Eve and more, mini pizzas are sure to please your crowd! These cute little pizzas make a quick and easy snack, lunch, or dinner- depending on the occasion!
Get the full recipe from: My Mini Chefs
Image Credit: crayonsandcravings
Anybody who loves corn dogs- this post is for you! Ditch the frozen corn dogs and learn how to make your own homemade mini corn dogs with this super simple recipe!
You too can be enjoying these delicious mini corn dogs with just a handful of ingredients in under a half hour. Whether you serve them as a fun snack or as part of a complete meal, the whole family is sure to love this fun recipe.
Get the full recipe from: Crayons and Cravings
Image Credit: christinascucina
Pinwheel sandwiches are perfect for packed lunches, picnics and parties, and they’re so easy to make!
These pinwheel sandwich recipes can have as few as two ingredients or many more, as long as it can be rolled. They are truly very easy to make and anyone can learn how to make them.
Get the full recipe from: Christina’s Cucina
Image Credit: asouthernsoul
Put a little sunshine into your life with this simple, fresh fruit salad. Pick your favorite seasonal fruit, pour on the honey cinnamon dressing, and you’re ready for a delicious dish perfect for serving any time of the year.
Sunshine Fruit Salad is so simple to make. It’s an easy recipe that’s delicious and can be doubled or tripled when needed for potlucks, a barbecue, picnic, or holiday celebration.
Get the full recipe from: A Southern Soul
Image Credit: asouthernsoul
Fruit Salad for A Crowd is a fresh, delicious, easy-to-make-ahead recipe that can feed a crowd without breaking the bank.
Whether you’re hosting a party, family reunion, block party, or holiday celebration, everyone will love this budget-friendly fruit salad recipe! It makes serving a large number of people a breeze!
Get the full recipe from: A Southern Soul
Image Credit: dinneratthezoo
Pigs in a blanket is a classic party snack made with cocktail wieners wrapped in crescent dough, which are baked to golden brown perfection. An easy appetizer option that can be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
It’s a hearty, savory appetizer that’s ultra popular for good reason! These little hot dog bites also happen to be super easy to make, and contain just a handful of ingredients.
Get the full recipe from: Dinner at the Zoo
Image Credit: ihearteating
Mini blueberry muffins are moist mini muffins that are packed with blueberries and topped with a crunchy sugar crust. These easy muffins make a quick breakfast and take less than 30 minutes to make!
Mini makes a great snack for breakfast, and these mini blueberry muffins are perfect for breakfast prep, packing in lunches, or as a quick after school snack.
Get the full recipe from: I Heart Eating
Image Credit: dinneratthezoo
This recipe for fruit kabobs is a rainbow of fruit served on skewers with a yogurt dipping sauce. An easy and healthy snack that the kids will devour!
These fruit kabobs are always a hit and take just minutes to put together. This recipe for fruit kabobs is a rainbow of fruit served on skewers with a yogurt dipping sauce.
Get the full recipe from: Dinner at the Zoo
Image Credit: deliciouslyhomecooked
Bright, colorful, and packed with fresh flavors, these rainbow fruit skewers are a fun and easy way to serve fresh fruit. They are Perfect for parties, brunches, or a simple afternoon snack.
These vibrant skewers bring a playful touch to any gathering. The variety of fruits not only adds visual appeal but also brings with it a refreshing burst of natural sweetness.
Get the full recipe from: Deliciously Home Cooked
Image Credit: onmykidsplate
Fruit kabobs are a hit with kids, and an easy yogurt fruit dip to go with it makes these adorable caterpillars even more fun.
You will like to make these fun skewers for a surprise for the kids at a summer pool party, but you can also make just a few for a platter for a surprise snack or birthday party too!
Get the full recipe from: On My Kid’s Plate
Image Credit: thesoccermomblog
Kids will love these star-shaped mini ham sandwiches! A wholesome and fun snack or lunch box idea! One of our favorite kids recipes because you only need a few simple ingredients and you have a delightful meal ready in minutes!
All you need are a couple cookie cutters and you can create these super cute hamster sandwiches!
Get the full recipe from: The Soccer Mom Blog
Image Credit: hoteatsandcoolreads
Learn how to make the sweet and tart Frozen Grapes with Jello! This cool snack is a summer family favorite! They taste like Sour Patch Kids!
They’re sweet and sour, crunchy and SO addicting! We love them on hot summer days for a cool snack. We also use any red and green Jello for a fun treat at Christmas.
Get the full recipe from: Hot Eats and Cool Reads
Image Credit: crayonsandcravings
These seasoned pretzel sticks are a snack-time game changer. They’re buttery, flavorful, and ridiculously addictive just like Dot’s pretzels.
Whether you’re hosting game night, looking for a great snack for a road tip, or just want something tasty to munch on, this seasoned pretzels recipe has you covered. Adjust the spice level to your liking.
Get the full recipe from: Crayons and Cravings
Image Credit: thissillygirlskitchen
These Mini Berry Pancake Bites are the perfect solution for busy mornings, lazy weekends, or any time you crave a yummy snack.They’re super easy to make and packed with fresh berries, making them a delightful treat for the whole family.
Plus, they’re perfect for meal prep because you can make a big batch and store them for later. Whether you use fresh or frozen berries, these bite-size pancakes are always a hit.
Get the full recipe from: This Silly Girl’s Kitchen
Image Credit: thissillygirlskitchen
It’s like a mini beach party in a cup! I’m talking about Sand Pudding, and they’re the summary centerpiece you need at your next gathering. Especially when it only takes 15 minutes to throw them together.
You only need a few items from the store—golden Oreos, instant pudding, milk, and some candy—and voila, you get a dessert with a lot of wow factor. It’s a perfect treat for both children and grown-ups.
Get the full recipe from: This Silly Girl’s Kitchen
Image Credit: inthekidskitchen
Chewy homemade peanut butter cookies filled with peanut butter frosting and sweet strawberry jam — these PB&J cookies are a childhood favorite in dessert form!
These are BIG cookies, because they are two full sized peanut butter cookies layered with a rich peanut butter and jelly filling. A real treat to be sure! This is such a fun recipe that both kids and grown-ups love…a total blast of nostalgia!
Get the full recipe from: In The Kid’s Kitchen
Image Credit: inthekidskitchen
These bite-sized veggie pinwheels are a nutrition-packed kids snack or lunch box hit! They’re packed with protein and lots of nutritious veggies and taste amazing!
These veggie pinwheels are a total WIN! They’re easy to make, easy to eat, and easy to pack in a lunch box. Plus, the kids love them! While these are a great way to sneak some veggies on my kid’s day, they are also a great lunch for grown-ups too!
Get the full recipe from: In The Kid’s Kitchen
Image Credit: ihearteating
Easy homemade graham cracker recipe! This simple recipe takes less than 30 minutes and makes the best graham crackers. These graham crackers (cookies) have a lot more flavor, and they’re really easy (and fun) to make.
Homemade graham crackers are inexpensive to make because the ingredients are common and affordable, and they store well for picnics. They’re kid-friendly too—crispy, slightly sweet, and easy to handle.
Get the full recipe from: I Heart Eating
Image Credit: cookingwithcarlee
Sweet, salty, chewy and crunchy all come together in these fun and easy to make peanut butter popcorn balls.Popcorn balls bring with them their own special bit of nostalgia. This recipe makes a simple sticky peanut butter mixture that holds together gobs of popcorn and peanuts.
The results are everything you would want them to be. Wrap them in plastic wrap to pass out to family and friends or eat them all while they are warm and fresh,
Get the full recipe from: Cooking with Carlee
Image Credit: onmykidsplate
Chocolate chip cookie sticks are thick, chewy and packed full of chocolate chips! This dessert recipe is great for sharing, and is perfect for dunking in a cold glass of milk or coffee.
Full of chocolate and perfect for dunking, these chocolate chip cookie sticks are delicious any day. They pack well for a picnic, in a lunchbox, or just for sharing with family and friends. This recipe is always a hit, and it’s hard to eat only one!
Get the full recipe from: On My Kid’s Plate
Image Credit: cookingwithcarlee
Chocolate chip cake mix bars are simple but delicious. Their texture is almost a cross between a cookie and cake. They are a lovely way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Cut them into squares and you have the perfect little treat. Wrap them up for lunch box snacks and your kids will feel extra special. They are also great for carry-ins or picnics.
Get the full recipe from: Cooking with Carlee
Image Credit: hoteatsandcoolreads
These delicious and easy fresh fruit ice cubes are made with fruit juice and are so perfect to cool down in the summertime! Great in water, juice or even wine! You can make them with any berry, kiwi, cantaloupe, watermelon and more!
It’s also only 30 calories and a fun way for kids to stay hydrated. They come in 30-count packs and are also perfect for snack time, picnics, or trips to the park!
Get the full recipe from: Hot Eats and Cool Reads
Image Credit: deliciouslyhomecooked
These colorful charcuterie skewers are everything you love about a classic charcuterie board, with fruit, cheese, and meat all in a convenient handheld style.
When hosting a gathering, packing snacks for a picnic, or looking for fun finger foods, these skewers are a simple and delicious way to serve appetizers without the need for extra plates or utensils. Fun for little hands and elegant enough for grown-up gatherings.
Get the full recipe from: Deliciously Home Cooked
Image Credit: myminichefs
These Seasoned Chickpeas are oven roasted in everything bagel seasoning until perfectly crisp and golden. They make a delicious and wholesome snack and are great for lunch boxes, picnics, road trips and every day snacking.
Toss with everything bagel seasoning to make a snack that’s nutritious and delicious. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and kid-friendly.
Get the full recipe from: My Mini Chefs
Image Credit: organizedisland
This Savory snack is one of our favorite Party Snack Mix recipes and is perfect for picnics, game nights and more! Made with seasoned crackers and cereal, it comes together easily with items you likely already have in your pantry.
This salty snack mix combines nuts, cereal, and cheese crackers to make a tasty and crunchy snack mix that is a classic and the whole family will love!
Get the full recipe from: Organized Island
Image Credit: dancingthroughtherain
These Peanut Butter And Jelly Roll Ups are a fun way to have your favorite flavors! Easy finger foods for kids of all ages! These rollups are not only affordable and easy to make but also a hit with kids, making them a perfect addition to any picnic.
If you’re looking for fun brunch recipes or after-school snacks, you have to try these Peanut Butter and Jelly Roll Ups!
Get the full recipe from: Dancing Through the Rain
Wrapping Up Cheap Picnic Food Ideas for Kids
Picnics with kids can be fun, tasty, and super affordable. You don’t need anything fancy, just a few easy snacks, some fresh fruit, and simple homemade treats.
Kids love food that’s fun to eat and easy to hold, and you can make it all without spending much. Keep it simple, let the kids help pack, and enjoy the time outside together. With these easy ideas, your next picnic will be full of happy faces, full tummies, and sweet memories.
