How to Plan a Picnic for Children

Kids love the finger foods, fresh air, games and freedom from table manners that come with the picnic experience. It's a great escape from your normal routine, giving you the opportunity to spend some quality family time in the great outdoors. The key to planning a picnic with kids is to keep it simple. Here are some easy tips that will help you plan a laid-back picnic to remember.

Things You'll Need

• Picnic basket or pack
• Kid-friendly food and beverages
• Trash bag
• Paper towels
• Antibacterial wipes
• Toys and games
• Picnic blanket
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• First-aid kit

Instructions

1. Start with a fully loaded picnic pack with enough room and supplies for the whole family. Pre-packed picnic cooler trolleys are a great way to combine a spacious cooler, tableware, flatware, napkins and other picnic accessories in one item that's easy to transport.

2. Keep the meal simple, easy to prepare and a snap to clean up. Finger foods are your best bet. Some ideas that are popular with kids include sandwiches, chicken nuggets, cheese and crackers, fresh fruit, carrot sticks, cookies, bottled water and juice boxes.

3. Include paper towels, a trash bag, and wet wipes in your picnic pack for easy clean-up. Antibacterial hand wipes will clean gooey messes off kids' hands without a trip to the bathroom.

4. Pack a bag full of toys and games to keep kids occupied before and after they eat. They'll have a blast with sidewalk chalk, butterfly nets, Frisbees, bubbles and footballs. Be creative-older kids want more complicated games, like water balloon tosses or mini golf.

5. Lay out a large picnic blanket or picnic mat with waterproof backing as a seating area that will protect your family and the food against moisture and insects. Many picnic blankets roll up compact with a carrying case and handle.

6. Protect the kids against bug bites and sunburns with kid-friendly insect repellent and sunscreen. You can get all-natural versions of these products at many health food stores.

7. Tend any scrapes and scratches that may occur with a small, portable first aid kit.