Easy Yummy Fall Kids Trail Mix Recipe

We have a great kids trail mix recipe! So, let’s make some fall trail mix that is so easy to make that kids of all ages can help. Older kids are going to be able to make their own trail mix recipe independently! The other benefit of making your own trail mix is you can choose the ingredients and picky kids can help make those decisions. This kids trail mix recipe is sweet, salty, nutty, and fruity! Yum!

Trail Mix Ideas for Kids

Trail mix is one of those snack foods that can be made for any occasion. Does your family have a favorite trail mix recipe? 

This trail mix recipe is part recipe and part brainstorm session with your child to come up with a customizable fall trail mix idea they want to make and eat.

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How to Make fall Trail Mix Recipe

Making this kids trail mix recipe is great! It has so many great fall flavors, and it is also a great after school snack. It’s healthy, with a hint of sweet, with lots of fruit… this kids trail mix recipe is perfect!

Suggested Ingredients for Fall Trail Mix Recipe

Supplies Needed to Make Fall Trail Mix

Directions in making our version of fall trail mix recipe

Step 1

Start with including the kids in the shopping trip to pick out the trail mix ingredients. If you have more than one child, you could have each pick out a certain number of ingredients (start with taking an inventory at home).

We had a great time shopping. It gave my son a boost of confidence that Mom was allowing him to shop for the ingredients.  

Step 2

With a scoop or cup, measure the ingredients into a large bowl.  This is where you can control the portions of what goes into the trail mix.  Maybe you decide that there are 5x as many healthy ingredients than candy.  Older kids can help figure out the ratios.  For younger kids, you can simply guide them in the number of scoops of each ingredient.

Step 3

Gently stir together.

Step 4

He poured it into a decorative jar to leave on the kitchen counter or measure into individual bags to grab on the go.

Our Experience Making Homemade Trail Mix

When we first decided to make homemade Fall Trail Mix.  We talked about how fun it would be to mix all our favorite snack items together and made a list of what we would like to go in the snack recipe.

We came up with a list of 6 items to add to our Trail Mix, balancing the healthy with the treats.  We are calling it a sweet and salty homemade trail mix recipe!

Ingredients and supplies for Fall Trail Mix Recipe

1. Start by brainstorming what trail mix ingredients are your child’s favorite.
2. Make a list (see our list of trail mix ingredient ideas below).
3. Choose 5-6 fall trail mix ingredients you want to try together.
4. Make trail mix!

Our list was created by my 3-year-old which included: goldfish, m&m’s, fruit snacks, and pumpkin candies.  

Giving Kids Choice in the Kitchen

It wasn’t so much the trail mix that made this kid’s activity special.  It was giving my son the freedom to make the decisions in creating our recipe.  Yes, he had a little guidance, but seeing him make the choices helped him gain a bit more independence.  When the rest of the family got home, he enjoyed showing his trail mix to each of them, explaining what was in it and allowing them to “try” it.

That said, it was a pretty yummy treat and was gone the very next day! But a simple task like this gave me great one-on-one time with my son, which was the best outcome of all!

A trail mix recipe such as this one is more than just food. Kids’ freedom and independence are created when you give them choices like this one to make a simple, homemade trail mix.

More Easy Recipes Kids Can Make

Let’s see what other fall menu items we have at Kids Activities Blog to get your kids in the kitchen:

How did your homemade fall trail mix turn out? What ingredients did your kids add?