The weather is starting to get more and more beautiful and that means it is time to spend more and more time OUTSIDE!!
A picnic is the perfect activity to get your family outside and enjoying the day!
I was talking with a young child today about his weekend and I asked what he did on Saturday, because it was gorgeous outside. He told me that because it was such a nice day, his family went over to McDonalds and played in the indoor playground. That sounds great, but NOT when it is so nice outside!! Please, make an effort to let your family run and enjoy the fresh air, outside!!!!
Your picnic does not have to be a big stressful production with beautiful sandwiches and cute napkins. Make the experience fun for the whole family, even you!
Finding a good picnic spot can be hard to find sometimes, which is one of the main reasons for this blog! So, look around my blog and try out a local park for your picnic. There are hundreds of parks in the Columbia area, so I am sure that there is one near you!
I am not sure why everyone fusses about the food for your picnic. Don't make this hard on yourself. Picnics are special. Your children will think they are very special, especially if you make it fun. Since picnics are such an out of the ordinary activity, anything you pack to eat is going to seem out of the ordinary. I like to pack regular peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or egg salad sandwiches. If you don't have time to make the sandwiches and put them in plastic baggies, then just bring all the ingredients and have a "sandwich buffet" at your picnic. Let everyone make their own sandwich.
This is also a great time to sneak some healthier foods into your child's day (and yours). Like I said before, eating outside at a park, seems to make everything taste better. So, instead of loading your picnic bag or basket with junk food, only pack the good stuff. Instead of potato chips pack some crunch celery sticks and carrots. Instead of gummy fruit snacks pack fresh grapes, blueberries, or strawberries. Instead of sodas or juice boxes, pack water in their own reusable water bottle. (And let them know if they drink all their water, they can refill it over at the water fountain at the park!- they might enjoy that) Not only is this food better for you-but it will give you extra fuel to keep playing together at the park!
Along with the food, make sure you pack a few napkins, some hand sanitizer, a few band aids and an old sheet or blanket to sit on. Most parks have trash cans, so you probably don't need a trash bag, just always remember to clean up after your picnic! :) It is also a great idea to bring a frisbee or some sort of ball to play together. Make sure that you play too!!! The whole point of your family picnic is to spend time together and enjoy time outside together, right? So - you need to play too!!
Some great things to do on your picnic- play tag, frisbee, soccer, football, fly a kite, go on a nature walk and play on a playground.
Enjoy your picnics!!
Please share tips and success stories from your picnic adventures to help the rest of us out :)
