How to Plan an Old-Fashioned Picnic

For a nostalgic visit to the past, nothing beats an old-fashioned picnic. Follow these steps for a summer afternoon filled with fun for all ages.

Instructions

How to Plan an Old-Fashioned Picnic

1. Begin by scouting out the perfect location. It might be a city park, a field with shade trees, a beach or lakeside, or even a backyard. If you are planning a picnic for a large group of people, you may want to reserve a shelter. Call your local parks department as far in advance as possible to secure the date you would like to have the picnic. Decide if you will set an alternate location (or alternate date) in case of rain.

2. E-mail everyone with a tentative menu and ask what each person would like to bring. For example, as the host, you may decide to bring the main dish (perhaps take-out fried chicken or burgers to grill at the picnic site). You could list a variety of possibilities for side dishes, desserts, snacks, beverages, etc. in case picnickers need ideas. Express the exact quantity of each item you will need. Ask each person—rather than each family to make a contribution. For example, maybe your brother-in-law will pick up the ice and his teenage daughter will bake chocolate chip cookies. Also, ask everyone to bring lawn chairs.

3. Gather together all the following non-food items you’ll need for the meal: old blankets and/or tablecloths, plastic cups, paper plates, paper napkins, plastic silverware, paper towels for cleanups, trash bags, insect spray.

4. Plan (and pack up supplies for) a variety of relay races: You’ll find a great assortment of these at pbskids.org/zoom/activities/games.

5. Fill the largest empty jar you can find with wrapped candies. Give everyone a slip of paper and ask each person to estimate (secretly) the number of candies they think are in the jar. At the end of the picnic, present the jar to the winner. Reminder: Don’t forget to count the candies as you fill the jar and write the number somewhere for safe keeping.

6. Distribute a bottle of bubbles (with blower) for each picnicker and ask them to join in a grand bubblefest.

7. For the last activity, plan a sing-along. Find and print the lyrics to as many old favorites as you can. Include some especially for the little ones. Distribute lyric sheets and let the best singer lead the group.