Planning the Perfect Picnic

Did you know June 18th is International Picnic Day? After months of isolation and cancelled summer trips, the weather is finally nice, and you are probably wondering what you can do to make the most of it. A great way to spend some time outdoors, while practicing social distancing, is by enjoying a picnic. Whether you decide to go to a local park or just go to your backyard, picnicking is great family time.

When planning a picnic, one of the most important steps is deciding what you’re bringing to eat. Depending on how far you are traveling from home, you have different options for what to bring. Practicing safe food handling is essential if you are picnicking far from home and food will be left out of the refrigerator or freezer for an extended period. If you have access to a cooler, you will have more food options available to you!

Once you have settled on the menu, you must think about what other elements to include in your picnic, such as activities to enjoy.

5 Picnic Food Ideas

The first thing that comes to mind when it comes to a picnic is the food! Here are some yummy and nutritious foods to pack in your basket that the whole family will enjoy:

1. Fruit Salad: Mix up some of your favorite fruits and get creative. Cut up the fruit into cubes, balls, or funny shapes, and make sure to pack in a cooler with plenty of ice packs, to keep the fruit cold.

2. Hummus and Veggies: All you need are some carrots, celery, and any other veggies you like and dip away. They now make hummus in a variety of flavors, so you can mix up what veggies to bring with different flavors of hummus for added fun.

3. Finger Sandwiches: Who doesn’t love eating mini sandwiches? You can make the classic peanut butter & jelly or have the family make some suggestions of different food combos that you wouldn’t normally think of!

4. Vegetable Cheese Kabobs: Take a skewer and alternate adding your favorite veggies and cheese for a filling snack.

5. Fruit and Greek Yogurt: After you had your lunch or dinner, enjoy a sweet treat, and dip some fruit in Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is packed with protein, which will help keep you feeling satiated.

6. Mushroom Buckwheat Burger: A great alternative to the traditional ground beef burger. This burger is plant-based and full of fiber!

More Picnic Tips

Whether this is your first picnic, or you’ve had a few, here are few tips to enjoy your picnic to the fullest.

1. Make sure you bring plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially if it’s a sunny day and you’re not in the shade.

2. Bring a frisbee, soccer ball, baseball, jump rope, or any other activity to stay active while enjoying the outdoors.

3. Wear sunblock! Laying out in the sun all day is a great way to get vitamin D, but too much will lead to a burn.

4. Don’t forget to pack utensils, a garbage bag, and napkins and any other supplies you may need.

5. Remember to bring a face mask, especially if you’re going to a public park.

Once you have everything packed and ready to go, the fun can begin! Keep picnics in mind during the summer for a fun and easy family activity.

Your Turn to Take Action: Now that you have some picnic food ideas and tips, what foods will you pack on your picnic? Let me know in the comments below.

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