Summer is the season of parks and picnics and we all look forward to it–even if we aren't fans of scorching temperatures and crowded beaches. Summer means more time that we get to spend hanging out and enjoying our families, and having loads of fun together. But summer picnics can also mean cranky meltdowns, bored teenagers and lots of bickering. So how do you keep every member of the family happy and onboard for your fun family outing?
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Read on for our family picnic must-haves.
A stellar location. Adults might enjoy nothing more than going to an open field, eating lunch and lounging around for a couple of hours, but kids–probably of any age–are likely to get bored in such surroundings. Choose a spot with hiking and biking trails, a beach, a playground, a splash pad, a petting zoo, etc. State and even county parks are great for this, as admission is often free or you pay one low price for a full vehicle, they are well-maintained, and often not as crowded as privately owned sights. Your kids can play and run around like crazy to work up an appetite then after your picnic they can lounge a bit and rest up for some more active fun later in the afternoon.
The right foods. You might think all you have to do is throw a few sandwiches and water bottles in a sack and call it a day, but if you really want your kids to eat and be fueled by what you've packed, you'll need to make sure what you are serving up is appetizing and appropriate for the weather. You want foods that are hearty and will last for a while in the heat, but that aren't so heavy that they make everyone feel sick and weighed down. Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables are a great idea–they are nourishing and will last a long time even outside of the cooler. Use hard rolls and mustard for sandwiches instead of sliced bread and mayo–the sandwiches won't get soggy as quickly and the mustard won't spoil. And try a vinaigrette-based grain salad instead of the standard pasta or potato–whole grains will keep everyone fuller longer and are the perfect vehicles for hydrating vegetables. On that note, skip the sugary sodas and juices, and pack water. Whether you're laying out or playing in the sun for hours, water is the best way to hydrate and will keep you from feeling sluggish and thirsty.
Plenty of diiversions. If you are going to a smaller park or an open field, make sure to bring along plenty of things to entertain your kids–and I don't mean video games and tablets. Those things have a place and time, but outdoors on a nice day isn't one of them. Throw a frisbee, a soccer ball, a couple of kites or even your bicycles in the trunk. Even board games and cards can be fun to play outside while relaxing on a big blanket. Unless you plan to eat and run — which, let's be honest, makes a picnic more effort than it's worth — be prepared to keep boredom at bay for every member of the family. Most kids will only chase each other around for so long before they lose interest and start fighting.
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