Preparing a picnic with the kids typically means a lot of preparation work only to realise that you’ve left out a couple of essentials. And if you’re like every other mummy here, a successful picnic is one where you successfully keep the pests (and guests) from buzzing in your ear!

To put things simply, the best kind of picnic is one that has a great range of fun outdoor activities mixed in with plenty of food and an abundance of drinks. Weather permits, you’ll have a few things to plan ahead, but once you get the hang of things, the process is quite straightforward.

Without further ado, here are some tips to help you up your picnic game with the kids.

1. Check the weather

No one likes planning for a great picnic only to have it result in a shower. To avoid disappointment, be sure to check the weather forecast to find out whether the day ahead is going to be rain or shine. 

Make your decision based on the chances of bad weather, and if you’re feeling lucky, you could even bet on a 50/50.

2. Plan your activities

An awesome picnic typically includes a nice green space for the kids to run around in. Take advantage of this space and plan some activities for the kids to play, such as water balloons, basket relays, twister, and so on. 

Don’t forget to bring a few decks of cards for the older ones to pass the time with a game of Go Fish or Snap. If you have card games like Uno, bring them along too!

3. Make a list (and then check it twice!)

Just like you would a grocery list, make a list of all the family favourites and all the right gear. 

It doesn’t hurt to bring things “just in case” such as a raincoat, some extra rugs and umbrellas that you could store in the car in case, lots of water, plenty of food, snacks, treats, and lots of games!

4. Keep goodies fresh!

If there’s one thing that will make or break the success of your picnic, it’s the freshness of your food. Empty stomachs only lead to painful complaints so you definitely want to make sure your guests (especially the kids) are happy or you’ll never hear the end of it!

One of the most effective ways to keep your goodies fresher for longer is to store fresh produce in fresh and crisp vegetable bags and airtight salad containers. These storage items are designed to keep the air from oxidising your food and the moisture out. 

Make sure to rinse and dry your fresh produce thoroughly before storing them in a fresh and crisp vegetable bag or airtight salad container. This will help remove as much moisture as possible to help keep them fresher for longer.

You should also avoid packing wet and dry foods together to maintain freshness.

Now that you have a headstart on planning an amazing picnic with the kids, sit back, relax, and watch all the other mummies stare enviously at a successful picnic well done!