Picnics With Kids

Picnics are easy (and free) family outings that kids love.

Keep It Simple

Picnics with kids are one of those things that can easily balloon into something way more complicated than originally intended. The key to having picnics more frequently is to keep it simple. And the key to keeping it simple is finger foods and limited choices.

If something needs a fork, then it probably needs a plate and a serving spoon and is in a container you need to bring home. Don't bother with all that; just get finger foods instead.

As for limiting choices, bring food liked by all but don't ask for opinions. Once you're at the picnic site, options are limited to what you've brought, so they'll eat it. Otherwise you'll end up bringing more food than you need in order to please everyone.

Picnic Foods

Sandwiches are, of course, a staple for many picnics. Making sandwiches for multiple people can be a little time-consuming, if they don't all like the same thing. So, consider other finger foods like sushi, dips, fried chicken or pizza.

Pack cut vegetables (carrots, celery, bell peppers, broccoli) and washed fruit that can be eaten without much prep (grapes, apples, peaches, pears, oranges, etc.) along with some packaged foods like chips, crackers and cookies. For drinks grab some juice boxes or bottles of water. And don't forget a trash bag and hand sanitizer.

Prepare a Picnic Basket in Advance

Having all the non-food items ready to go on a moment's notice will help you go on a picnic on, well, a moment's notice. Some days, it seems like too much work to gather all the needed items, then prepare the food. So either buy a practical picnic set, like a picnic backpack, or put together a ready-to-go picnic bag.

Where to Go?

Don't limit yourself to parks with playgrounds for family picnics, though they may very well be your kids' top choices. Take a picnic to the pool; have it in your own backyard; hike to a secluded spot in a state park.

Check your local paper for outdoor concerts and movies, and bring a picnic to a community event. Invite friends to bring along their own picnics, and you've got a party with entertainment.

If you're going to a city to visit a museum, scout out a nearby public garden for a lunchtime picnic or picnic on the museum grounds before you enter.

Everyone Packs Their Own Picnic

It's amazing how satisfied kids can be with a simple meal when they prepare it. And it's amazing how quickly picnic prep goes if family members make their own sandwiches. While you're at it, have them fill a bottle for a drink. Throw in some fruit and veggies and a bag of chips. And you're ready to go.

If your kids are too little to pack their own, but big enough to have opinions, speed your exit from the house by making sandwiches on site. Bring a bag of rolls and only one or two favorite sandwich fillings. Sandwiches assembled on site are more likely to be consumed without special requests. The choices are limited, plus kids are just too busy to care. But if given the choice at home, they'll have a lot more opinions.

Supermarket Stop Picnic

For super simple picnic prep, grab your picnic basket then stop at grocery for everything else. If you have time, you may want to pick up stuff up earlier in the day. But kids don't usually mind a very targeted trip to the grocery, especially if the payoff is a picnic.

Along these same lines would be getting take-out pizza, subs or fast food. Doesn't matter where the food came from; it's still a picnic if you eat it outside! We do a "supermarket stop picnic" at the pool frequently. Since it's at the pool where there are tables, chairs and bathrooms, I don't even bother with the picnic bag. This is what I buy:

• Deli fried chicken
• Juice boxes/water
• Grapes
• Paper towels
• And, maybe, French bread, chips or pretzels

The Dipping Picnic

Kids love to dip stuff, and this picnic is really easy for mom. (The dipping picnic is a good candidate to also be a supermarket stop picnic.) Buy a selection of dips and things to dip such as fruits and veggies, bread, chips, pretzels, cookies and crackers. A sweet dip for dessert and dips with a little protein, like hummus, add variety to ranch or bleu cheese favorites. You may also what to bring along cheese sticks, cubed cheese, summer sausage or another protein source.

Grilling Picnic

I know grilling sounds complicated, but it doesn't have to be. Go to a park that provides grills. Choose something to grill that doesn't require a lot of different condiments and can be eaten with fingers or on bread. Sausages, marinated chicken or pork chops are good choices. (Burgers are probably not the easiest choice since people may expect condiments, cheese, pickles, tomatoes, etc.) Make your sides simple finger foods like fruit, chopped veggies and chips.

If you are going to grill, you will need more stuff. Bring:

• Charcoal, lighter fluid
• Lighter or matches
• Grilling utensils
• Aluminum foil
• Paper plates