Add some outdoor fun to your summer plans this season and head out for a picnic. A little planning and a few key supplies will ensure your picnic is fun and nutritious!
FOOD
Of course, the food is the star at any picnic. Think through your menu ahead of time to
ensure you bring the right amount of food and have the right supplies with you
to enjoy your meal.
To me, a simple menu is the best. Uncomplicated, but delicious and healthy,
finger foods are my go-to when planning picnic fare.
Fruit is easy to pack and there are so many yummy fruits
ripe for a summer picnic menu. You can
create a fun fruit salad or make fruit kabobs for a no-fork-required fruit
dish.
A go-to picnic main dish in my family is wraps. They pack easily in a cooler and everyone can
pick their own ingredients. We spread tortillas
with cream cheese, load with lunch meats and veggies, roll and wrap. For an even healthier and vegetarian version,
spread whole wheat tortillas with hummus and add all veggies. Other great main dish options include fried
chicken (or grilled strips for a healthier option) or a veggie packed pasta
salad.
Cookies are a great picnic dessert. No utensils or
refrigeration required. We love
chocolate chip cookies and make them with whole wheat flour to ‘up’ the
nutritional value.
Once you have your menu planned, think through what items
need to be kept chilled in the summer sun.
Be sure you have a good cooler or insulated back pack to keep foods cold
and safe. We always freeze water
bottles to use as our ice packs.
After we are done using them to cool our food, we have a few extra water
bottles to drink!
SUPPLIES
Besides a good cooler, you will also want to bring several other supplies so
you have everything you need to enjoy your picnic. Here is a short list of must-have picnic
supplies:
- · Large blanket, beach towels or large table cloth
- · Paper plates
- · Plastic silverware
- · Napkins or wipes
- · Water
- · Trash bags
- · Bug spray
- · Sunglasses
- · Sunscreen
ACTIVITIES
While food is the star of any picnic, eating your meal
doesn’t actually take that long. Pack a
few games or activities to extend the life of your picnic fun.
A deck of cards is small, easy to pack, and can provide lots
of entertainment. Think about bringing
outdoor games like Frisbee or a ball to throw around too. Or, plan your picnic in an area that offers
hiking trails to burn off some calories after you eat.
No matter what your menu or where you picnic, just remember
to keep it simple!
What other great picnic tips do you have? Comment below with your favorite picnic foods
or packing hacks!
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