It’s a nice day for a picnic! Picnics can be a fun and exciting activity for children, and having the right types of food can make the experience even more enjoyable. In honor of International Picnic Day on June 18, we encourage your family to lay down a Cloud Blanket® and have an informal meal together! 

We brainstormed some easy and fun ways to get started, and recipes that are picnic perfect. 

 

Location, Location, Location

The best part about a picnic is that it can be anywhere - your backyard, at the local park, or in your home on a rainy day! Technically, a picnic is defined as an outing or occasion that involves taking a packed meal to be eaten outdoors. But when life gives you rainy days, we think a picnic can be anywhere!

Laying the Foundation

A traditional picnic always feels better when you lay a comfortable blanket down first. Our Cloud Blanket® serves double duty as a sleep-time friend and picnic supporter. Lay your blanket down on your surface and get ready to picnic.

 

Picnic Style

We love to dress up for the occasion. Make your kids comfortable by dressing them in Play by Little Sleepies. From Twirl Dresses to the perfect combination of Tops and Bottoms, the comfort of Lunaluxe™ bamboo viscose fabric was made for playtime. Your littles will love being on the grass and running barefoot while wearing Shorty Rompers. 

And don’t forget the sunscreen and a few extra layers in case of weather shifts and long days lounging in the sun!

 

Recipes that Your Kids Will Love

Sandwiches

Sandwiches are classic picnic food that are easy to make and customize according to your kids’ preferences. Try using different types of bread, such as whole grain, white, or rolls, and fill them with various fillings, like peanut butter and jelly, or turkey and cheese. 

Go the extra mile and create fun shapes. Use cookie cutters to create hearts and flowers. It’s a simple way to remove the crust with no fuss!

Prep ahead with this fun idea: spread hummus across small tortillas and fill them with vegetable sticks, like carrots and zucchini. Or swap the tortilla for a slice of turkey for a healthy treat!

Snack Mix

Get the kids involved in customizing a snack mix. Combine popcorn, pretzels, crackers, and their favorite snacks, such as Goldfish or M&Ms, in a bowl or bag. We especially love the Mermaid Trail Mix from Live Sweet Blog, and we even created our own recipe inspired by our Shark Soiree design. 

Mac and Cheese

We encourage picnics to be fun and carefree, and that includes this kid-friendly recipe. Lauren Delicious Little Bites created the cutest mac and cheese cups that even the ants will trek across the blanket for. They’re made to be portable but destined to be a crowd-pleaser. 

Veggie Sticks and Dip

Raw vegetables are a healthy snack option that is always a better idea with a dip. Try serving carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and celery with ranch or hummus. Separate them into little colorful containers for the trip to the blanket so your kids can easily sample different options.

Cheese and Crackers

Charcuterie boards may be all the rage with adults, but let your kids enjoy boards made just for them. Cheese and crackers are simple and tasty snacks that can be made to test your taste buds with various cheese types, such as cheddar, gouda, or Swiss.

Ask your kids to help design the cheeses in different shapes, or maybe you can attempt to create a flower with a sliver of meat! Whatever you decide, your kids will love joining in on the culinary adventure. 

S'mores

Don’t forget the sweets! Picnics are all about gathering, and this classic campfire treat can be made over a portable grill or fire pit. S’mores are easy to make - simply roast marshmallows over the fire, and sandwich them between graham crackers and chocolate. Yum!!

Fruits 

Fresh fruit and colorful vegetables are healthy and refreshing options that children love. Cut up some watermelon, pineapple, strawberries, and grapes, and place them in a container or skewers for easy eating.

How about banana bread muffins? We love the recipe from Victoria at A Modern Homestead as she makes it easy and tasty for kids. 

 

With these easy and fun food options, children can enjoy a delicious picnic while spending time outdoors or indoors. What are your favorite treats for an outdoor picnic? Let us know in the comments!