"Happy Family Picnics" Things To Keep In Mind When planning A Picnic With Kids

Planning a picnic is an event that the whole family can join in on. Because you want the day to be successful, everyone's contributions are vital. If you have children, don’t forget to pack items for fun and in case of emergencies.

Let’s start with safety. No matter where you have the picnic, kids will be kids and accidents can always be a reality. Bring along a first aid kit for any bumps, scrapes, or bug bites. A first aid kit is also a good idea for the rest of the group.

If the picnic is later in the afternoon or early evening, flashlights are a must. They keep older children from getting lost and can be used by the younger ones to play a variety of games. Some extra light will keep you from forgetting any of your stuff when packing up to go home.

If you are near the woods or at the beach, bring sun and bug protection along. Everyone should protect themselves from sun damage no matter how old or young they are. Waterproof sun block won’t wash off even when kids sweat during play. Bug spray keeps mosquitoes away in the late evening. When possible, bring along sun visors or ball caps to keep the sun off of small faces. You can purchase inexpensive visors and caps at your local craft store and adorn them prior to you family picnics.

Sticky hands are a fact of life with children. To keep their hands clean between eating and play, purchase some moist towelettes. A box of cleansing wipes will work just as well to keep hands and fingernails free of dirt and germs when soap and water is hard to come by. Look at the box to ensure the wipes are gentle enough to be used on the face.

Remember blankets and toys. Kids always seem to want to sit in the grass and play. A waterproof blanket gives them a comfortable place to sit and play with their toys where you can watch them. Sitting directly in the grass can make the skin itchy. If you frequent an area where ticks are a problem, sitting in the grass is not a good idea.

Since children can get bored rather easy, bring an assortment of things for them to do. Kids who don’t want to run around may enjoy board games. You’d be surprised at how a game of Scrabble® or Monopoly® can pass the time. Older children can ride bikes or roller skate if you are in a park or an area with trails.

Children love to picnic. Good food and fun can occupy a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Packing a few choice supplies can keep your picnic a memorable family event.