Trail Mix (and Match)

Taking kids on an outing means always having snacks on hand! This is especially true in the summer, when kids are burning off their energy by running, swimming and camping. An easy take-along and customizable snack for all kids’ palates is trail mix. One batch can be poured into several reusable bags or containers. Or individual batches can be created and then packed up.

Trail mix is fun to eat because every handful tastes a little different, and provides a little energy boost. It is nice to incorporate various elements such as crunchy, chewy, sweet and salty. The limits are endless as to what to mix together. It is also fun to let kids combine their own ingredients from a easy-setup "trail mix buffet bar."

Combining an equal amount of four to six ingredients makes for a well-balanced mix.

Popular Trail Mix Ingredients:

Crunchy

Almonds

Chopped Graham Crackers

Granola

Mini Cheese Crackers

Pistachios

Sunflower Seeds

Chewy

Chopped Granola Bars

Craisins

Dried Apricots

Dried Cherries

Fruit Chews

Raisins

Salty

Bagel Chips

Baked or Popped Potato Chips

Baked Tortilla Chips

Popcorn

Pretzels

Salted Peanuts

Sweet

Butterscotch Chips

Carob Chips

Chocolate Chips

M&M’s

Yogurt Chips

Yogurt Covered Raisins

Activities

Game: The Learning Resources Smart Trail Mix & Match is a fun game to play before making the real thing. Kids get to string giant versions of this snack’s ingredients.

Toy: Kids can pretend to camp with the Learning Resources Camp Set, and they can mix up some trail mix in the frying pan!

Art: This trail mix coloring page will help children get creative in the kitchen as well.

Making trail mix is a great way to get kids busy in the kitchen, and can lead to more fun inside and outdoors as well!

Rachel Teichman is the founder of OOGIAH, an online resource for Jewish families who are moving or traveling throughout the US. The site includes a blog full of creative ways for families to cook, craft and play together. Rachel has also edited the SF Bay Area family events calendar for Red Tricycle, along with writing about family-friendly restaurants. She is a mother of two, and she loves to bake scones! You can find out more about her here.