What better way to take advantage of a sunny day than a picnic? With the days getting longer many of us are planning more activities outside. To ensure a well planned event we’ve come up with suggestions that will make your picnic a walk in the park.
Avoid the “Mom I’m Hungry”. To start the day right, make sure that your children are well fed with a high fiber and slow-burning food. Steel-cut oats, berries, a sprinkle of walnuts, topped with chunks of bananas make an ideal “slow-burn” breakfast. The last thing you want to hear the entire day is your children groaning, “Mom, I’m Hungry” over and over.
Keep it Simple. When choosing your foods steer clear of heavy toppings and avoid foods with mayonnaise to reduce the chance of food spoiling and attracting insects. Pick casual foods like sandwiches or vegetables that you don’t have to use utensils to eat. Consider packing each person’s meal individually, because it will satisfy different preferences without taking up a lot of extra space.
Prepare for Mother Nature. Maybe checking the weather is a given, but taking the time to make sure you are prepared will be worth your time. Sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm with sunscreen, sun hats, long-sleeved but lightweight shirts, insect repellant, and even a picnic umbrella are all things you will want to pack. To prevent your children from suffering from a heat stroke make sure you know what the symptoms are. The baby center website has provided a great list of what to look for.
Keep your children entertained. Make sure to plan a couple of games that will make this a picnic to remember. The chances are you’ve already packed a picnic basket, so just grab a couple of bean bags for a game of Bean Basket Toss.
photo credit: meaningfulmama.com
- Freeze or Tag
- Having your picnic at a park with playground
- Bring a football, frisbee, or soccer ball
- Bring a butterfly net for catching insects
Recycling and fun all in one; bring a cup of bubbles and make a bubble wand. Simply cut the bottom of a water bottle off, dip it in bubbles, and blow through the top.
photo credit: Janssen Bradshaw
