Of all the activities for a sunny summer afternoon, a picnic is one of the most fun things to try. Yet without the proper preparation, it can be a drag to be the one stuck planning and trying to execute a successful picnic! A little careful forethought will make your picnic not just successful, but memorable, leaving everyone wanting to have another one.
Depending on the family, you can personalize the picnic to suit everyone’s needs. If you have an active family, you can exercise after your delicious meal digests; if you have younger kids, a bonfire and marshmallows can provide endless amusement (and sticky fingers). If you have teens or young adults old enough to drink (depending on the age in your area) or several adults, bring a case of beer and hot dogs and have a blast.
First, plan out the food and beverages, as they’re one of the integral parts of a successful picnic. This doesn’t have to be expensive, as there are always homemade alternatives to expensive prepackaged foods.
One traditional picnic food is the sandwich, but this doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Try a different type of bread, like pitas, tortilla wraps, or healthy multigrain bread. Deli meats of all types are available in your local grocery store, and can be stored in the freezer until the morning of the picnic.
Other picnic foods include cold meats like parmesan chicken strips, healthy salads, fruit, vegetables, nuts, and other snacks. If you don’t want to be healthy, potato chips and pretzels are popular with the kids!
Beverages depend on your family’s tastes and can range from bottled water or fruit juice to alcoholic beverages, carbonated water, or soda pop.
Once your menu is planned out, think about where you’re going to be holding your picnic. If you’re going to be hiking to the destination, make sure the foods are portable and everyone is able to walk that far without complaint. If it’s closer, you can bring more food, sports equipment, etc. If you have to make a reservation, do so as soon as possible, and check public parks for free picnic tables.
Lastly, think about how to entertain the younger members of your family. If you have young children, bring along a few different items to entertain them: a skipping rope, frisbee, hacky-sack, or kite can make the after-dinner time fun. Sometimes there are playgrounds nearby picnic benches, which can allow your younger kids to play while you keep an eye on them. Older teens will enjoy these activities too, though they might prefer to bring a good book and relax on the picnic blanket in the warm summer sun.
After the picnic is over, clean up your mess and bring home all trash with you so you don’t get in trouble with the authorities or wreak havoc on the environment.
A successful picnic really isn’t too hard to plan, and you will end up spending a fun afternoon with your whole family. Perhaps you can plan picnics on a regular basis, every few weekends in the spring or summer!
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- Cheap Activities for the Whole Family
- Summer Family Fun
- Cruises for the Whole Family
- How to Successfully Travel With Your Family
- How to Get Your Teen to Eat Healthy
Tags: Family Picnic Games, Family Picnic Recipes, Family Picnics, Picnic Food, Picnic Planning