Make Summer Picnicking Easy with Kids

When I think of summer, I often think about picnicking with my family. And when I think about picnicking, there are a few key items that I love having that make summer picnicking easy with kids! As with all “firsts” in parenthood, doing things with kids for the first time can be a bit daunting, so I hope this post helps if you’re a new parent or new to getting out and about with kiddos! After four-plus years of the SAHM gig, I’ve got some helpful tips to get you started on the right foot!

The items I’m sharing are tried and true, can’t be beat, and make picnicking fun and easy instead of messy and inefficient. Some of the links I’m providing in this post are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may make a small commission should you choose to purchase and item using my link. I greatly appreciate you supporting me in this way. So, thank you.

Prepping for Picnic Season

Depending on where you are going, the setting of your picnic may change a bit from destination to destination. Some spots might have picnic tables, some may have shelters, or you might be roughing it in the great outdoors.

Regardless, it won’t really matter as long as you have these items with you. You can pivot and make due with just about any environment with these few things in your picnic arsenal!

No matter where I go, I keep these three things in my minivan at all times:

• Weighted Picnic Blanket – I snagged mine years ago from Sam’s Club, and I have yet to find one like it anywhere, which is really disappointing because it’s so nice to have. This one from Costco is very, very similar to what I have, but it does not have the weighted corners. This is Sam’s Club’s latest version of their picnic blanket which has good reviews.
• Wet Ones Wipes – We use these all the time. In the car, at restaurants, out-and-about running errands. I keep a pack in my purse, multiple in my car, and I love to buy them in bulk at Sam’s Club. Guess what? Baby wipes are also a great substitute (although not a disinfectant) in a pinch, and I always seem to have a pack of them with me, too!
• Hook-On Portable High Chair – I can’t tell you the number of times this portable high chair has come in handy. This is great for the 6-18mo. age range. While I know this isn’t in everyone’s budget, I’d highly suggest looking at other options in this category that are more affordable. Check out this one to start! I have used this in numerous restaurants, at the state fair, picnicking in the great outdoors, and it can easily be used at home at our dining room table.

Once you have a few options for setting up your picnic, the rest is easy! The weighted blanket is great because it’s light, easy to carry, and easy to store and keep handy. We also really enjoy having these rocking lawn chairs with us if we’re going out as a family or camping (not necessarily for my daily sahm picnics).

Packing the Picnic (OR NOT)

My biggest piece of advice about packing a picnic is this – KISS. Keep it Simple Silly (or Stupid, but I didn’t want to call you that… it seems to aggressive in this context. LOL). Don’t over think this part.

In fact, you can simplify this process ten-fold by making the decision to just buy the picnic on your way. Stop at a gas station and grab some grub. Run through a drive thru. Stop at a local grocery store and choose from their grab-and-go items. Heck, call in an order to your favorite restaurant on your way and pick it up on the drive.

All I’m saying is, if the thought of getting a meal put together to take with you is too much, you’re on a time crunch, or you’re just not in a season where you can make that happen, just grab something on the way.

The point of picnicking isn’t to make some grand meal on wheels. The point (at least for me) is to gather with your loved ones in a different environment and enjoy each other’s company while you eat.

It’s the people, not the food, that really matters.

Make-at-Home Picnic Tips

Now, if you are able to make something at home before you go on your adventure, here are ideas and tips based on items I use for our picnicking ventures. I’d also add, throwing something together at home is a great way to save money and time (in the long run).

Going back to keeping things simple – I’m serious…

Tip #1:

Choose foods that do not require utensils. Think finger foods! Sandwiches, fresh fruit and veggies, chips, crackers, meat and cheese. No steaks, no soup, no yogurt (unless it’s the squeezie kind).

Tip #2:

Choose foods that do not melt and do not spoil easily. No chocolate, no eggs, etc.

I love a good muffin tin meal, so when I am putting our picnic together, I often include foods I typically use for a Muffin Tin Meal!

Here’s my formula:

Protein: meat sticks, deli meat, cheese, nuts (we like pistachios), sandwiches: PB&J, Turkey and cheese

Carb: granola bars, crackers, sometimes a pasta salad, bread

Fruit: apples, bananas, berries, raisins, dried fruits, squeezies

Vegetables: raw carrots, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, pepper slices, snap peas, squeezies

Treat: flavored puff corn, cookies, juice box/gatorade

Drink: water bottle (our fave kids water bottles are like an added appendage around here. Everyone has one and water is our preferred drink, no milk on picnics for us. This is my favorite water bottle)

Tip #3:

Cut things up ahead of time so it’s ready to pull out and eat, otherwise you need to remember a knife/fork/spoon. Fruits and veggies are obvious items to cut up, but even sandwiches, cheese, meat, desserts, etc. are great things to prep fully before leaving the house. Toothpicks are a handy to have to poke fruit, cheese, veggies, and kids enjoy using a new utensil (just watch them obviously)!

Tip #4:

Always throw in napkins, wipes, utensils, and a baggie or small grocery bag for trash or accidents. You can put all of these items in a gallon size baggie and then just keep them in your cooler/picnic basket to use as needed. This might also be a good spot to keep a backup of your sunscreen and bug spray, as well as a few bandaids.

How to Pack the PIcnic

I typically pack our picnics family style, and distribute once we’re at our destination. However, using kids lunch boxes can also be a convenient way to pack a picnic. I haven’t personally done this yet because this was our first year having a kid in school/needing a dedicated lunch box, but it can be helpful if you have kids who need their food separated, have allergies, or just want to have their OWN thing (because this is life with kids, right?!). We use the Bentgo Lunch Boxes and then I bought these flat ice packs that work really well, too.

Carry IT All

Of course, a small cooler goes a long way in widening the range of foods you can bring on a picnic. I like to use a small rolling cooler if we have quite a few cold items. This type of cooler is great because it’s easy for the kids to help haul around, and the top compartment allows for our dry goods, so everything fits in one pack.

Having a traditional picnic basket or a more modern version of a picnic basket is really handy to have to hold water bottles, books, sunglasses, extra clothing, a few diapers and wipes, etc. I use these mesh metal baskets for all kinds of things! I almost exclusively use a diaper caddy and emergency tote in the car these days, as opposed to hauling around a diaper bag. These items remain in the car, and I just refill diaper necessities as needed.

With all of this information, I hope you’re feeling ready to make summer picnicking easy with kids. Let me know what questions or ideas you have below. Happy Picnicking, friends!

 

 

 

 

 

Other posts you may like…

Travel Essentials for Toddlers; Build a Travel Bin!

A First-Timer’s Guide to Planning a Family Road Trip to the Great Smoky Mountains (with Toddlers)

A Family Adventure to the Wisconsin Dells

12 Productive Things to Do Outside as a SAHM this Summer