How to Make Your Church Picnic Better Than Ever
Updated: Nov. 03, 2023
Warm weather means it's church picnic season!
If you belong to a parish, then summertime likely means an annual church picnic, festival or carnival. It’s a great time for fellowship with other members of the community, not to mention all of the family-friendly outdoor games and activities! If you’re looking to make this year’s picnic even better than last year’s, here are the best ways to contribute your time and talents.
Bring a Dish to Pass
The food is one of the best parts of every church picnic—it’s just so good! Members of the parish bring out their best tried-and-true potluck dishes. There will be an endless line of summer potluck salads, burgers and hot dogs, and maybe even corn on the cob. And if that wasn’t enough, there will be scores of pies, bars and cookies to indulge in. If you need some new ideas, take a look at these summer potluck desserts. Just make sure you bring a copy of the recipe, because people might ask for it!
Worried you’ll forget to take your dish home and it’ll be lost forever? Make your casserole or brownies in a 13×9 disposable aluminum pan ($10 for a pack of 10). That way, you don’t have to worry about getting your dish back at the end of the night.
Here are the Most Divine Church Picnic Recipes
Red, White & Blue Potato SaladTossing the cooked potatoes with stock and wine right after you drain them infuses them with flavor. The liquid absorbs like magic. —George Levinthal, Goleta, California
Potluck German Apple CakeMy mother made this German apple cake for my brothers and me when we were kids. It's an excellent choice for a Christmas potluck or actually any time of year. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Chicken BurritosThis mouthwatering chicken burrito recipe makes enough for two casseroles, so you can enjoy one today and freeze the other for a busy weeknight. They're super to have on hand for quick meals or to take to potlucks. —Sonya Nightingale, Burley, Idaho.
Party Appetizer MeatballsThese are a favorite at parties and gatherings. The recipe is easy, and the meatballs can be made well ahead of time and frozen until needed. I think what makes them taste so good is the sauce. —Nathalie Guest, Caledon, Ontario
Skinny Quinoa Veggie DipDon’t let the name fool you. This good-for-you recipe may appeal to an athlete in training, but it has plenty of flavor to satisfy everyone. We use crunchy cucumber slices for dippers. —Jennifer Gizzi, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Artichoke Shrimp Pasta SaladI have enjoyed this recipe for as long as I can remember. My mom made it famous, and she passed it down to me on my wedding day. It's one of those potluck staples that folks can't get enough of. —Mary McCarley, Charlotte, North Carolina
Balsamic Green Bean SaladServe up those green beans in a whole new way–with a green bean salad recipe! The tangy flavors and crunch of these balsamic green beans complement any special meal or holiday potluck. —Megan Spencer, Farmington Hills, Michigan
Hot Cheese DipWhen a colleague brought this cheesy dip to school for a teachers potluck, I immediately gave it an A+. I had to have the recipe for this irresistibly creamy recipe to make for my family! —Ardyce Piehl, Poynette, Wisconsin
Apple and Squash CrispSomeone brought this crisp to a parish dinner at my church. I asked for the recipe, and now I take this yummy dessert to every potluck I attend. —Therese Butler, Ijamsville, Maryland
Greek Couscous SaladBright flavors and crisp raw veggies make a satisfying salad that's hearty enough to be a full meal. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Spectacular Overnight SlawTo come up with this dish, I used a number of different recipes, plus some ideas of my own. It's great for a potluck because it's made the night before and the flavor keeps getting better. Whenever I serve it, I'm inundated with recipe requests. —Ruth Lovett, Bay City, Texas
Grandma's Potato SaladOur Fourth of July feast wouldn't be complete without this chilled old-fashioned potato salad. It's my grandma's treasured recipe. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Almond Chicken SaladMy mother used to prepare this chicken salad with grapes and almonds for an evening meal during the hot summer months. It's my favorite of my mother's chicken salad recipes. You can also serve it as a delicious but quick luncheon or potluck dish. —Kathy Kittell, Lenexa, Kansas
Layered Grilled Corn SaladThis has been a go-to dish for me throughout the years. It's great as a side or can be served for a light lunch in lettuce cups, with warm crusty bread. —Angela Smith, Bluffton, South Carolina
Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed PotatoesWith five different dairy products, you know this make-ahead mashed potato casserole is going to be super rich and, of course, delicious. It gets even better topped with onions and bacon! —JoAnn Koerkenmeier, Damiansville, Illinois
Buttery Horseradish Corn on the CobFor a July Fourth barbecue, I whipped up a butter and horseradish topping for grilled corn. People actually formed a line to get seconds. —Trish Loewen, Bakersfield, California
Fried Chicken and Pulled Pork Cornbread PoppersThese fun little apps are an instant conversation starter wherever they're served. We love them on game day, but they'd be a hit at brunch, too. —Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota
Marinated Mozzarella & Tomato AppetizersInspired by a dish I had at a restaurant, this simply sensational combination should marinate for at least three hours—the longer the better. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York
Potluck Pan RollsThe appealing homemade yeast-bread flavor of these golden rolls is unbeatable. Soft and light, they're great alongside any entree. Folks are disappointed if I don't bring them to potluck dinners. —Carol Mead, Los Alamos, New Mexico
Lemon Coconut BitesThe tangy lemon flavor of this no-fuss dessert is especially delicious on a warm day. It gives me delightful flashbacks of selling lemonade on the sidewalk as a little girl. —Donna Biddle, Elmira, New York
Orange-Glazed Chicken & Chorizo MeatballsThese tasty southwestern meatballs warm up a buffet. I add pomegranate seeds, jalapeno pepper jelly and cilantro to make everything pop with color. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Tomato FrittersI got the basic recipe for these fritters from a friend, then I tweaked it for my family's tastes. It's one of our very favorite things in the summer. We love them right after they've been fried, when they're still hot and crispy. —Pam Halter, Bridgeton, New Jersey
Bring Something Besides Food
If your talents don’t lie in cooking, then think about non-food items you can bring. You’ll need lots of plates, cutlery and napkins, as well as plenty of tablecloths. They may not be the most glamorous contributions, but they’re absolutely essential. Plain, white disposable plates are a safe bet, especially if there are a lot of members in your church. But if you want to bring a little color to the party, opt for these super-summery plates ($16 for an 80-pack). And for a pop of color on the lawn, protect each table with a colored tablecloth, like this light blue polka-dot one ($16 for a 10-pack).
Help Set Up
Bringing a dish to pass is the most obvious way to help out, but don’t overlook the setup. This is a great way to volunteer, especially if you don’t have much left in your budget for the month. Get there early to set up all the tables and chairs, food stations and games. If you’re crafty, offer to make the centerpieces.
Centerpiece Ideas
- Flower arrangements: It’s likely some member of the church is a florist or has some flower arranging experience. Ask them to share their talent by creating floral centerpieces for the tables.
- Fruit bouquet: Make your own edible fruit arrangements—they’re easier to make than you think. This one is gorgeous!
- A bowl of candy: Set out bowls of M&Ms, skittles, jelly beans or other small candies for folks to much on while chit-chatting. Kids will especially love this tasty centerpiece.
- A colorful plant: Keep them all uniform or give each table a different color.
Pro tip: Give away the centerpieces as a door prize at the end of the night.
Man the Games and Activities
Every church picnic needs games and activities for the kids! Volunteer to set up the game stations, explain the rules (if needed), referee and keep an eye out for everyone’s safety.
Outdoor Games and Activities
- Cornhole: Set up a game of bags and let people’s competitive side come out.
- Tug of war: Grab a thick rope and gather the children for a friendly game of tug of war.
- Lawn bowling: If you have access to a large grassy area, then you have a great spot for lawn bowling. Set up the pins and wait for someone to get a turkey!
- Coloring: For a quieter activity, set up a coloring station. Ask parents to donate a few coloring books (did you know Taste of Home has a line of coloring books? Purchase one here.) and coloring supplies. Tear out pages for everyone to color, and let their creativity shine!
Volunteer to Clean Up
When the festivities are over, stay late and throw away all of the trash, pick up the games and tear down the table and chairs. Volunteering for a job no one else wants to do is much appreciated and a great way to serve your community.
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Originally Published: April 22, 2019
