Looking for picnic food ideas for kids this summer? Try these easy and healthy recipes that are all simple to make and lunchbox friendly!
If you've got days out planned for the summer holidays, it can be expensive feeding the kids so we've put together a collection of easy picnic food ideas and picnic snacks that kids will actually eat!
We've included savoury foods that are all easy to transport and cheaper than shop bought, as well as picnic snacks and treats that'll keep the kids fuelled and keep hanger at bay!
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What Makes Good Picnic Food For Kids?
- Food that is easy to transport!
- Anything that isn't too messy to eat
- Foods that can be eaten cold
- Finger food!
- Lunchbox-friendly recipes
- Recipes that can be batch cooked in advance
savoury picnic food ideas
| Recipe | Total Time | Lunchbox Friendly | Freezer Friendly |
| Veggie Cheese Wrap | 5 mins | ✅ | ❌ |
| Apple & Carrot Sausage Rolls | 30 mins | ✅ | ✅ |
| Pizza Pasta Salad | 15 mins | ✅ | ❌ |
| Ham & Cheese Bread Rolls | 37 mins | ✅ | ✅ |
| Chicken & Cheese Lunchbox Muffins | 32 mins | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sausage & Veg Skewers | 5 mins | ✅ | ❌ |
| Cheese & Tomato Lunchbox Loaves | 31 mins | ✅ | ✅ |
Veggie Cheese Wrap
This wrap is super filling so is great for fuelling kids on days out! It takes only 5 minutes to make and is perfect for packing into lunchboxes for an on the go day of activities.
apple & carrot sausage rolls
Sausage rolls are always a picnic staple! And with only 6 ingredients and no pastry required these are some of the easiest sausage rolls you'll ever make.
They're freezer friendly too so can be made in advance ready for your day out.
Pizza Pasta Salad
If your kids love the flavour of pizza, then they'll love this easy pasta salad idea.
A super easy pizza flavoured pasta salad that's ready in less than 15 minutes and perfect for lunch boxes, picnics and BBQ's this summer!
Ham & Cheese Bread Rolls
These homemade bread rolls flavoured with ham and cheese are surprisingly easy to make using my simple dough recipe! They're fab for taking out and about as an alternative to sandwiches.
And they are yeast free so no faffing about waiting for it to prove or rise!
Chicken & Cheese Lunchbox Muffins
Savoury muffins are such a brilliant alternative to sandwiches for picnics.
There's nothing wrong with a simple ham or cheese sandwich of course, but it's nice to have something different every now and then.
Sausage & Veg Skewers
A simple but fun picnic idea for kids ready in just 5 minutes, using cocktail sausages and vegetables and kid-safe skewers.
Cheese & Tomato Lunchbox Loaves
If you're looking for ideas for picnic food ideas that aren't sandwiches then check out these Mini Cheese & Tomato Loaves.
They're so easy to make with all the ingredients being mixed together in one bowl. The recipe makes twelve, so perfect for batch cooking and storing in the freezer.
Sweet Picnic Snacks
| Recipe | Total Time | Lunchbox Friendly | Freezer Friendly |
| Sweet Potato Brownies | 33 mins | ✅ | ✅ |
| Apple & Orange Muffins | 33 mins | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies | 25 mins | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mini Chocolate Courgette Banana Breads | 25 mins | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mini Lemon Muffins | 26 mins | ✅ | ✅ |
Sweet Potato Brownies
These low sugar brownies are really filling, healthier than your average brownie and will defrost in just a couple of hours.
So you can pop them into your lunch boxes as you head out and they'll be ready to eat by the time the kids are asking for a snack!
Apple & Orange Muffins
Easy to make with only simple ingredients, muffins always go down a storm with kids.
They're really easy to transport and can be put into lunchboxes straight from frozen where they will defrost in only a couple of hours!
Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies
You know those packets of mini cookies you can buy in the supermarket? Well these mini chocolate chip cookies are just as easy to make at home! And far cheaper!
Kids will absolutely love these packed into their picnic boxes.
Mini Chocolate Courgette Banana Bread
Instead of making a large banana bread loaf, try these mini banana breads that are much easier for packing up for picnics and snacks on the go!
Super healthy with a portion of hidden veg in them which I promise the kids won't be able to taste!
These cookies are made with wholemeal flour and rolled oats which provide slow-releasing carbs that help keep the kids full until dinnertime.
Mini Lemon Muffins
If you're looking for snacks you can batch make for picnics with the kids, then these Mini Lemon Muffins are an absolute must-try!
Freeze in a container or freezer bag (with or without the glaze). They will defrost at room temperature in a couple of hours so you can add them straight from the freezer into lunchboxes.
No Bake Picnic Treats
| Recipe | Total Time | Lunchbox Friendly | Freezer Friendly |
| No Bake Biscoff Oat Energy Bites | 15 mins | ✅ | ✅ |
| No Bake Mini Granola Bites | 66 mins | ✅ | ✅ |
| No Bake Chocolate Cookies | 37 mins | ✅ | ❌ |
No Bake Biscoff Oat Energy Bites
If you want to add a sweet snack for kids to your picnic, but can't be bothered to bake, then this recipe is for you!
Made with just four simple ingredients and no cooking required, they're a brilliant little snack for the kids.
No Bake Mini Granola Bites
Add these little granola bites to a picnic box along with fruit and veggies for a brilliantly balanced snack guaranteed to keep the hanger at bay on days out!
No Bake Chocolate Cookies
I have listed a recipe for chocolate chip cookies above, but if baking really isn't your thing, then give these no bake ones a try!
The kids can even get involved in making these so they also double as a picnic filler AND an activity! Win win!
Yes! You can see all my recommendations here
If you try any of these recipes, then please do leave me a comment! You can also share your pictures with me on our socials. I always love to see your creations!
If you enjoyed this collection of recipes and ideas, you might also like:
If you're looking for no bake snacks for kids, then try our healthy homemade snack ideas that are perfect for popping into lunchboxes or for the summer holidays!
All of our Easy Dinners for Picky eaters are just that. EASY! No complicated ingredients or cooking methods, just easy meals for fussy eaters.
Charlotte T says
That's the coronation weekend of picnics sorted! and all in one place 🙂 Thank you My Fussy Eater.
Ash says
We love a picnic in the summer so this post is fab for us! So many lovely ideas to try out.