First let’s talk about what is arguably the most important part of any picnic – the food! While it would be easy to just order a pizza and call it a day, it’s more fun and healthy to make your own snacks. Nothing too complicated – kids will appreciate simple finger foods that they can eat quickly in between activities, and you will enjoy the fast clean up. Mini pre-made sandwiches (limit yourself to three varieties and prevent choice overload) are a safe bet, or try this “lunch on a stick” idea. “Sushi” sandwiches are another easy to make, easy to eat idea – try peanut butter and jelly or a pizza version). Dessert can be a chopped fruit served in an ice cream cone with a dollop of whipped cream or homemade fruit popsicles. Healthy, transportable and easy!
Now on to the bulk of the day – the activities! Yoga is obviously a great way to start and/or end the day. Other non-competitive game ideas include painting (keep the picnic theme and fill up empty ketchup and mustard bottles with red and yellow paints), the Fruit Bowl game (Everyone stands in a circle and is labeled as one of four fruits. Shout out fruits at random and everyone who is labeled as that fruit has to run and switch places with another. Shout out “Fruit Bowl” and everyone has to run and find a new place), or a treasure hunt. Or bring back classic games that you enjoyed when you were a kid (and didn’t have computer and video games to distract you!) such as Simon Says, Red Light Green Light, Tag, Musical Chairs, etc.
Whatever you decide to do, get excited! And end of the school year picnic means one thing – it’s officially summer!