Picnic with Children: Special Features & First Ideas

Shared outings are always something very special for the whole family. Picnics in particular are always well received — by young and old alike. It's not just the food and playing outdoors that make a picnic something special away from everyday routines that makes it; above all, it is the Family time, which you consciously spend together and enjoy. No stress factors shaped by daycare, school or work are present. Only and only you as a family count in the hours, that you picnic, play and laugh outdoors. It's your time out, regardless of whether you are on holiday or not. This means a picnic is also possible during the week. This gives you parents and your children the opportunity to switch off and enjoy moments of calm, even if only briefly. Picnic time means spending time together with loved ones, which is reflected in your family cohesion and also in the sibling love is expressed. You use play opportunities and eating together as a family, to get to know each other even better, than you already do. Your exchange with each other during a picnic is characterized by a certain freedom, which may even make it easier for your children to talk about certain topics. A picnic is possible anywhere you can imagine it. It doesn't always have to take place with a packed picnic basket or blanket on a meadow or at the beach. For many, even a short stop during a long car trip with sufficient provisions and drinks is a kind of picnic. With this attitude you make a special moment out of every moment that you can enjoy together as a family.

Picnic for a child's birthday

For children, their birthday is, alongside traditional celebrations, the highlight of the year and of course should be celebrated properly. Especially if the children's birthday is to take place outdoors in spring or summer, picnicking with family and friends is exactly the right thing to celebrate, laugh and play exuberantly in the fresh air and in the best weather. It is important to emphasize above all that the preparations are correspondingly somewhat larger, than is the case with a simple family picnic. In the planning phase, you should therefore not only think about scheduling and creating invitation cards but also involve your children consciously in the planning. Because only your little party mice themselves know which friends they want to have and whether the children's birthday should follow a certain theme. In addition to cake, decorations and presents, you also have to look after the well-being of all guests. Accordingly, you usually need more provisions and, if necessary, a program, so that boredom is guaranteed not to set in. Therefore, game ideas are of even greater importance. However, don't put pressure on yourselves, you will know exactly what your kids like and how to hold the most beautiful birthday party for you.

Places where you can picnic especially well

In general, picnicking outdoors is popular. Especially on mild spring days and in summer, it drives many families outdoors. While parents enjoy the sun, the children play and romp until their stomachs growl, and everyone together refuels with plenty of snacks, drinks and other treats. However, it does not always have to be good weather to picnic outdoors. Because in addition to family picnics that inspire outside, you can also experience great picnic moments at home — indoors or in the garden —. We have summarized here the most popular places where you can picnic comfortably.

Picnic in the park or on the playground:

It doesn't take many attractions to make children happy. In the park or on the playground, toddlers as well as older kids will have a great time. During the picnic they have the opportunity to let off steam and give free rein to their energy. You parents will certainly enjoy the picnic trip to the park and playground as well. During the joint playing with your kids will certainly be a lot of fun.

Picnic in the forest:

The forest is an adventure playground par excellence. During a walk in the woods it's also great to picnic together. Because breaks are as important for little explorers as their exploration tour, which requires a lot of energy. Maybe you'll also find the odd edible plant, which you can use at home for a tasty recipe. Last but not least, children also learn quite a bit about nutrition as a result.

Picnic in your own garden:

The garden is a great place to combine a picnic and relaxation at home. If you don't feel like driving away to picnic with the children, you can simply create a cozy oasis in the garden. With <LINK> https://www.haba-play.com/de_DE/magazin/kreativitaet/spielen-mit-kindern/garten-spiele fun garden games, for which you may already have all the materials at home, boredom is guaranteed not to set in and your catering is taken care of at all times. Another advantage: no big planning is necessary, purely relaxation and time out away from everyday stress count.

Picnic at home:

Picnicking together at home and spending an unforgettable day with all family members — that's already the picture of absolute relaxation. This makes it ideal to combine the shared picnicking with a game afternoon or movie night. In the living room you spread out blankets and cushions or even mattresses and then make yourselves comfortable to enjoy time together. For the picnic at home, a buffet with snacks and finger food is also just the thing to feed all the hungry little ones.

Picnic at the (swimming) lake:

A family picnic at the bathing lake is especially popular in summer with young and old. A shady spot where you picnic together serves in particular as a place for little breaks from swimming, splashing and paddling in the water.

Preparations for your shared picnic

For your picnic to become an unforgettable and lovely family event, it requires thorough preparation. First you should decide where you want to go for your picnic. Which excursion destinations would you like to visit or perhaps even combine with each other? Accordingly, you then plan, which equipment you should procure for your outing and which utensils you already have. Keep in mind that a family outing including a picnic doesn't always require endless little items. Thus, also Family outings on a small budget are super easy to carry out. It is important that you plan the outing together with your children. Ask them how they imagine the perfect picnic day with you as parents. What game ideas do they have and what provisions do your little sweet-tooths wish for? That your kids are allowed to decide together with you fills them with pride and that way you can also make sure that you have heard all wishes and decided accordingly. Of course not all needs can always be reconciled with each other, but compromises can certainly be found this way. For your provisions should of course also be provided. Depending on which meals you want to have during your picnic, preparation is also required here, which you should start a few days earlier. Maybe your kids would like to lend a hand in preparing the various recipes. When it comes to your provisions, especially make sure to produce little to no packaging waste. Leak-proof containers or other vessels are the right solution for storing your snacks. Once you have laid out the basic facts and the day for your family picnic has arrived, it's time to packing your picnic bag or picnic basket. Consider which recipes you want to prepare and which dishes should be kept cool. Drinks and other items that need cooling should be placed accordingly in a cooler bag. Once everything is well packed, you can head off. Then all that's left is to relax and enjoy the time together.

What can go into the picnic basket?

The location and date for your family picnic are set and now it's happily time to packing all the important items, that are needed for a relaxed outing with children. But what exactly should be in the picnic basket? Which items you should actually take with you to your picnic depends on the destination, the number of people, and the age of your children. To help you get an overview of your possible picnic equipment, HABA has put together a list that you can use as a guide.

Suitable snacks:

• sandwiches or filled rolls

• cheese skewers with grapes

• pretzels & pretzel sticks

• nuts

• cookies or other sweet pastries

• raw vegetables

• meatballs & other savory bites

Basic equipment:

• picnic blanket

• food containers & lunch boxes

• cooler backpack or cooler bag

• cups

• drinking bottles

• drink cartons

• dishes & cutlery

• napkins

• washcloths or wet wipes

• insect repellent

• sun protection & first aid kit

• trash bags

• if applicable swimwear / bathrobes / change of clothes / UV-protective clothing Games

Recipe ideas for a successful picnic with children

Those who take in lots of impressions and play will of course need a pick-me-up in between. For picnics, especially suitable are delicious finger food ideas that are easy to prepare. In addition to recipes for savory dishes like meatballs and pizza pinwheels, sweet treats are also very popular with children. HABA has put together five recipes put together, with which you are very well equipped for your next picnic to get properly refueled.

Colorful fruit salad

Ingredients:

• approx. 350 g melon

• 1 apple

• approx. 200 g (= a small) pineapple

• 2 oranges

• 1 kiwi

• 100 g strawberries

• blueberries

• additional fruit as needed

• 35 ml lemon juice

Preparation:

1. First remove the pits from your selected fruit if necessary. Then chop it into bite-sized pieces.

2. Put your fruit into a bowl gradually and drizzle it with lemon juice so the fruit salad doesn't turn brown. Mix everything well. If you'd like a juicier fruit salad, add one to two teaspoons of sugar. Then store the fruit salad in the fridge for about thirty minutes.

3. To take your fruit salad to the picnic, put it into a tightly sealable container. It's best to transport it in a cooler bag.

Pancake towers

Ingredients:

• 30 g butter

• 250 ml buttermilk

• 2 eggs

• 180 g spelt flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 tbsp oil

• fruit of your choice

Preparation:

1. First put the butter in a pan to melt it over low heat.

2. In a tall mixing jug, whisk together the buttermilk and eggs with a whisk. Stir the melted butter in carefully and quickly.

3. Now add the flour and baking powder. Mix these quickly with the other ingredients as well.

4. Next, heat a little oil in the pan and pour in small amounts of batter one after another to get sweet mini pancakes. Flip the pancakes only once. In the end they should be golden brown on both sides.

5. Let the pancakes cool well. In the meantime, chop your chosen fruit into bite-sized pieces.

6. Now thread the pancakes alternately with some fruit onto skewers to make small towers.

7. And there you have your delicious pancake towers, which you should just pack well so you can enjoy them at your picnic.

Vegetable sticks, skewers & co. with dips

Ingredients:

• bell peppers

• carrots

• cucumbers

• tomatoes

• other vegetables of your choice

• 150 g herb cream cheese

• 150 g yogurt

• 1 bunch chives

• pepper

• salt

• if desired: bread or baguette

Preparation:

1. First, cut your vegetables into long sticks. If you cut them with a wavy knife, the dip will stick better to the vegetable sticks later. Visually, the whole thing also looks more appealing.

2. Now cut the chives into small rings.

3. In the next step, mix the herb cream cheese with the yogurt and chives in a mixing bowl. Season to taste with pepper and salt. Tip: The dip also tastes great on bread and baguette. Simply cut small slices from the loaf and dip them into the dip.

4. Fill your dip into a container that seals well. It's best to store it in a cooler bag.

5. Your vegetable sticks with tasty dip are ready for your picnic with the children.

Pizza pinwheels

Ingredients:

For the yeast dough

• 250 g flour

• 75 ml lukewarm milk

• 75 ml lukewarm water

• 20 g fresh yeast

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 tsp sugar

• ½ tsp dried oregano

• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the filling

• ketchup or tomato paste

• if you like: 200 g cooked ham, in slices or

• other toppings of your choice

• 150 g crème fraîche with herbs

• cheese, grated

Preparation:

1. First, sift your flour into a bowl. Then press a well in the middle.

2. Warm the water and milk together in a pot and then crumble the yeast into the mixture with a teaspoon of sugar to dissolve it.

3. Now pour a little of your yeast mixture into the flour well, cover it with some flour from the sides, and let the whole thing rest for about ten minutes in a warm place, covered with a kitchen towel.

4. After the ten minutes have passed, add the salt, oregano, oil, and the remaining liquid, then beat everything vigorously into a dough. Knead your pizza dough well for about ten minutes.

5. Then let your dough rest in the bowl, covered with a kitchen towel, in a warm place for thirty minutes.

6. If the pizza dough has risen well, roll it out to the size of a baking sheet. Halve it lengthwise.

7. Spread each half of the dough with ketchup or tomato paste. Then place your favorite topping (cooked ham, vegetables, or other). On top of the topping add a layer of crème fraîche and the grated cheese.

8. Now it's time to roll: Carefully roll both halves of the dough lengthwise. You can then cut the resulting rolls into twelve slices each, so that you end up with 24 pizza pinwheels.

9. Place your pizza pinwheels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let them rest there for about ten minutes before baking them in a preheated oven at 200 degrees (top and bottom heat) for twenty minutes.

10. When your delicious pizza pinwheels are ready, let them cool and pack them for your picnic trip.

Pull-apart rolls

Ingredients:

For the dough

• 500 g flour

• 1 cube of yeast

• ¼ l lukewarm milk

• 60 g melted butter

• 2 eggs

• optional: salt

For the filling

• various herbs

• 4 tbsp olive oil

• 1 clove of garlic

• 50 g grated cheese

• if you like: 50 g diced bacon

Preparation:

1. First put the flour in a mixing bowl. Then make a well in the center of the flour.

2. Now crumble the yeast into the lukewarm milk and mix both thoroughly. Pour the mixture into the flour well. Cover the liquid with some flour from the sides and let everything rest for about ten minutes.

3. In the next step, knead all the ingredients properly into a dough. Then add the butter together with the eggs and knead everything for another ten minutes.

4. Shape your roll dough into a dough ball, which you place in the bowl, cover with a cloth, and let rise in a warm place for one hour.

5. While your dough is resting and rising, you can prepare the filling. For this, put all ingredients into a bowl to mix them thoroughly.

6. If your dough has risen well, tear off small pieces and lightly roll them in the filling. Then place them in a well-greased muffin tin or one lined with liners and parchment paper.

7. In the preheated oven, bake the pull-apart rolls for about twenty minutes at 175 degrees until golden brown.

8. After baking, your rolls just need to cool so you can, for example, pack them in airtight containers and store them for your picnic.

Play ideas for your picnic outing

A shared picnic is a complete success, when moments of calm and action go hand in hand.Children love to move. So sitting still for long periods is hardly possible. They want to explore their surroundings and learn about them through play. Letting off steam is the motto hereMovement games for children. They will certainly bring a lot of fun to you as parents too. HABA has therefore an overview of the most popular game ideas compiled for on-the-go use that you can use as a reference.

Dexterity & coordination games

From balance skills to accuracy of aim dexterity and coordination games demand everything that sparks your children's ambition. Even toddlers can try out the first games that let them test their abilities. Endurance is tested with balance sets, Velcro ball games and the like. put to the test. Dexterity games are therefore also perfect for the whole family. Together you'll definitely have a lot of fun. Browse through the the large selection of dexterity and coordination games from HABA and pick your next thrill.

Games for skill & coordinationEven at an early age, toddlers' curiosity is awakened.

Exploring, observing, and learning to understand nature makes little explorers' hearts beat faster. But for a real discovery tour, of course you also need the right tools. Whether flashlights in different versions or magnifying glasses, with which every single leaf and animal can be examined in detail, are particularly popular with the kids. HABA has a diverse range of discovery toys. Browse through it and choose the one that suits you to turn your picnic into a real discovery trip to make it happen.

Discovery toys for curious little noses

Running, hopping, catching – the more action-packed, the better

. Whether obstacle courses, funny hopping games – drawn with chalk – or perhaps the familiar game of tag: children love to let off steam and let their energy run freethe right active toy work wonders. This way movement and learning fun are especially combined without your kids consciously noticing it. The joy of play is just too great. HABA offers various movement toys, that make children's hearts race. Versatile movement toyswith the right balls you can implement many different game ideas

. They don't always have to be elaborate or even games with fixed rules.

Your children can also simply play with play balls and

come up with their own ideas for fun play moments fine motor skills are developed. Discover the wide range of play balls at HABA and enjoy your shared playtime.Kids' balls for optimal playtimewonderful family time and enjoy a break away from everyday stress. What can you do? Keeping busy indoors is incredibly easy.

Besides various games, there are also creative activities

, that you can do together. HABA has summarized the two most popular alternatives here for you. Get inspired for cozy days at home.

Fun play ideas for indoorsYour own home is the ideal playground for your kids – especially when you can't just go outside. There are

numerous play optionswith and without accessories can be implemented and really get your kids to

romp

to do. From role-playing games to memory games to indoor movement games, everything is possible. Above all games for the whole family are particularly popular with the little players. On the appropriate topic page, HABA has collected various play ideas for at home that will certainly bring you a lot of joy and encourage romping. Fun play ideas for at homeCraft activities for young & oldPlaying with paint, making paper scraps or creating great gift ideas for various occasions – crafting is very popular with children. Here they may let their creativity run free and become familiar with color patterns great and colorful works of art. The older the little artists, the more elaborate and challenging craft projects may be. What can you craft together? HABA has on the respective topic page great craft ideas and simple instructions to recreate compiled.

Discover nature playfully

Action-packed running & tag games

Often you hardly need any materials, yet the right Varied ball games Soccer, basketball or other throwing and catching games – Your picnic gets rained out – now what? It's raining outside and you can't carry out your picnic as originally planned. The mood might be subdued, but you can also spend , 79

Image credits

Man and his daughter spend a lot of time outdoors © Yakobchuk Olena - stock.adobe.com

Mother and daughter eat apples on a blanket at a picnic in summer © Serhii - stock.adobe.com

Father and daughter traveling in the forest with a backpack © EVERST - stock.adobe.com

Family arrival at the park for a picnic © Jacob Lund - stock.adobe.com

Fruity fruit salad © baibaz - stock.adobe.com

Pancakes and strawberry skewers with yogurt dip © Joshua Resnick - stock.adobe.com

Healthy vegetable platter © MSPhotographic - stock.adobe.com

Pizza pinwheels © Mitch Shark - stock.adobe.com

Wild garlic pull-apart rolls © rainbow33 - stock.adobe.com

Mother spending time with her children and girl painting in a book on the floor © zinkevych - stock.adobe.com