Picnic Tips & Fun Ideas
- Make getting to the picnic a scavenger hunt. Leave clues or a "treasure" map for your family to find their way to the picnic destination.
- Bring along a board game, bocce ball, a softball and catchers mitt or a Frisbee for some outdoor fun.
- If kids will be joining you, try to pick a park with a playground nearby.
- Plan a hike and bring the picnic with you. Stop when you get hungry or find a scenic spot to eat.
- Avoid mayonnaise and ice cream-based dishes that can turn bad or melt in the sun.
- No basket? No worries! Load your goodies into a sturdy cardboard box, plastic bin or even a backpack.
- If you're planning your picnic in advance, grab a few extra condiment packets the next time you're in a fast-food restaurant—the packs are ideal for easy outdoor meals.
- Set the mood with a sunset picnic. If it's allowed, bring a few votive candles and a small bouquet of flowers to add to the ambience.
- Consider packing a picnic for others, whether it's for your kids in the backyard, your neighbors or even a coworker in need of some lunchtime fun.
Picnic Recipes
Picnic Chicken
I made this well-seasoned chicken one evening for dinner and served it hot from the oven. While raiding the fridge the next day, I discovered how delicious it was cold and created the yogurt dip to go with it.
—Ami Okasinski, Memphis, Tennessee
Antipasto Picnic Salad
Everybody just loves this tempting blend of meats, veggies and pasta. It goes together in no time, serves a crowd and tastes as delicious at room temperature as it does cold. Also, it's chunky enough for the kids to pick out any individual ingredient they might not like!
—Michele Larson, Baden, Pennsylva
Chocolate Picnic Cake
Rich, moist and chocolaty, this scrumptious cake is very versatile. It freezes well, and the chocolate chip topping makes it easy to pack in lunches and carry along to picnics. At home, we like it topped with vanilla ice cream.
—Barbara Wheeler, Sparks Glencoe, Maryland
Strawberry Spritzer
Three simple ingredients are all you need to create this fresh and fruity summer beverage. Light and refreshing—and so easy to make—it's bound to become a warm-weather favorite.
—Krista Collins, Concord, North Carolina
For more summer outdoor recipe ideas and tips, visit the Taste of Home Summer Camping Guide »