One of my fondest memories as a child was our family picnics. It was such an enjoyable time with my sisters and parents- relaxing, eating, and then playing games. And, it did not matter what we had for food as everything tasted delicious on picnics! When my two sons were growing up, we had lots of picnics too. There is something very special about them and I encourage you to plan some in your family time.

Here are 5 fun ideas for your best picnics ever:

Have a picnic basket or other container packed with essentials ready to go. My late husband and I had a large wicker basket where we kept all the picnic necessities such as reusable plates, forks and spoons, cups, napkins, paper towels, blankets, etc. Once you have it all packed, it’s easy to simply double-check what you have, add a few items that you may need, and then go have fun.
Be sure to keep the menu as simple as possible. Remember, food always tastes better at a picnic! When I was a child, my mom usually had a menu consisting of cheese sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies. Delicious! With my sons, we kept it super simple too – fresh fruit, simple sandwiches, and brownies. I must admit that brownies were a staple for our picnics!
Choose the time and location in advance. Since people generally plan a picnic during lunchtime, to avoid crowds, consider having it at an odd time, such as breakfast or midafternoon to dinnertime. If you do it later in the late afternoon or evening, adding a string of lights or lanterns makes it even more festive.
Bring books for your children to read and enjoy. Sitting or lying down on a blanket and reading can be a very enjoyable activity for children.
Add games for family and friends to play, especially when children are participating. Consider such games that do not require a bunch of equipment to carry such as a hula hoop contest; red light green light; hot potato; and a scavenger hunt. There are many more games on the internet, so you can take some time and do your own research.