How to Plan a Father's Day Picnic

Spend some time with dad in the great outdoors this Father's Day. A picnic is an easy and inexpensive way to honor your father while having some fun in the sun. Use the following tips to plan an experience he will remember.

Things You'll Need

• Citronella candle
• Sunscreen
• Blanket
• Camera
• Picnic food
• Moistened towelettes
• Napkins
• Plasticware
• Matches or a lighter for the candle
• Picnic basket or cooler

Instructions

1. Choose your location. Parks and beaches make great picnic places.

2. Determine what dad's favorite foods are and plan a menu of portable foods incorporating things he likes. Even something as simple as sandwiches, chips and fruit can make a tasty meal.

3. Gather food and place in a picnic basket or cooler.

4. Arrive at picnic location and set up an area for eating. You may choose to sit at a picnic table; if so, place a tablecloth on it before unpacking picnic items. If eating on the ground, lay out a blanket to sit on.

5. Enjoy your food together. You may want to take this time to say a few words about Father's Day. Make him feel appreciated.

6. Engage in an activity that both dad and the family like and can do together. If at the beach, swim, toss a flying disc or make sand castles. If at the park, play catch, ride bikes or go fishing. The activity doesn't matter as long as you are all having fun together.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that the food on your menu travels well and is easy to assemble outside. Fruit and dip make an easy dessert. Cheese and nuts work well as a snack. You can make chicken salad beforehand and then assemble it into sandwiches when you get to your destination.

• Bring some moistened towelettes for before and after the meal.

• Citronella candles will keep bugs away from you and your food.

• Using a cooler for drinks and salads will likely be more efficient than a picnic basket.

• Check your local weather before planning the picnic and again the day before. Have a back up plan if it rains.

• Bring sunscreen.