Let’s Eat Outside – Great
Kid-Friendly Picnic Ideas
Summer is finally here and with the kids
home all day this is the perfect time for a picnic. Pack up some
food, cool drinks and a blanket and head for the park,
playground or even just the backyard. You can even entertain
your little ones with a picnic on the kitchen or living room
floor on a rainy day.
Of course you could just fix some PB&J
sandwiches, pack a couple of juice boxes and call it a picnic,
but there are so many other fun and delicious things you could
prepare. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices
flowing.
A New Twist for PB&J
Pack a few rice cakes, a small jar of peanut butter, some
raisins and other dried fruit as well as some apples. When it’s
time to eat, spread peanut butter on the rice cake and let your
child decorate it with the dried and fresh fruit. Raisins become
eyes, a slice of apple the mouth and a berry makes a great nose.
Crackers and Cheese
Buy
some hard cheese, such as cheddar, slice it (or buy it
pre-sliced from the deli), and cut shapes out with small cookie
cutters. You can also use cookie cutters on thicker slices of
ham, salami or bologna. Serve with an assortment of crackers,
and fresh fruit, such as grapes or berries.
Deli Style
Sandwiches
Get
some sub rolls, a little mayo and mustard (the small packs you
get at fast food places work great for a picnic), and a variety
of deli style sandwich meat and cheeses. Top it all off with a
few leaves of lettuce that you washed at home and brought in a
plastic baggie. Let each family member create their own sub with
their favorite meats and cheeses. A bag of chips completes the
meal.
“Fried Chicken
Strips” With Veggies n’ Dip
Use
some crushed cornflakes to bread chicken breast strips and bake
them in the oven until done. You can do this the night before
the picnic and refrigerate the chicken strips – they are
delicious cold. Cut up some veggies like peppers, celery,
cucumber, broccoli and cauliflower and add some baby carrots.
Bring a little ranch dressing to use as a dip and your picnic is
complete.
Desserts
Fresh fruit of course always makes for a great portable dessert
on a picnic. Some homemade or store-bought cookies are another
great option. Bake a batch of brownies, cut them and bag them
after they have cooled completely for a chocolaty treat.
Grab a cooler, fix some sandwiches and head out to the park,
playground or even the backyard for a picnic. Don’t forget lots
of water on warm days!
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