The weather is warming up, which means it’s time to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. There is nothing more my kids love than a picnic at the park – even if it simply means heading to the oval across the road from our home.
Benefits of Picnics with Kids
Wondering whether it’s worth bundling the kids up for a nice morning or afternoon out?
Here are some reasons why a picnic is such a great activity for your little ones:
> They can get involved!
The great thing about picnic food is that it tends to be finger foods, which means kids can get in the kitchen and help you out with the prep.
By getting them involved in the making of the food, they are more likely to get excited to taste what they made.
> Enjoying the Outdoors
A picnic is the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors as a family.
You can bring the bikes and scooters along, or even just a ball, so you can all take part in some exercise together. It’s a great way to get off the screens and move those bodies.
> Visit New Places
A picnic is the perfect opportunity to look up some of the parks around you and visit some new places together.
In time, you may find a favourite spot that you all love which can become your go to. It’s also a great way to hunt for great spots to hold future birthday parties, so can come in handy.
Planning Plastic Free Picnics
The trouble with picnics is that they often come with a lot of pre-packaged food, or food you have prepared wrapped up in cling wrap, which isn’t great for the environment.
Here are some ways you can enjoy a plastic free picnic:
> Bring a reusable drink bottle for everyone: most picnic grounds will have a tap you can use to refill your bottles.
> When you’re buying food for your picnic, choose unpackaged foods that are in season. These will not only be healthier alternatives for your family, but they will be much kinder to the environment too.
>If you are making things from home to bring, think about how you will package them. Reusable sandwich bags are a great idea for those picnic munchies, as are beeswax wraps. They can be used over and over, so are great value for money, too.
> Invest in a picnic basket. They not only hold a lot, but they negate the need to bring everything in plastic bags to carry to and from the car. If you have a little one still in a pram, this is another great way to transport what you need to your picnic place of choice.
> Bring reusable cutlery and ditch the plastic ones. It’s not that much extra effort in cleaning, and will also cost you less in the long run.
Encourage Others to Do the Same
Picnics are often even more fun when you invite friends and family to come along and enjoy them with you.
Share your goals for a plastic free picnic and see if you can get everyone on board with you.
The more people, the better.
These simple long term changes can make a big impact on the environment in the long run.
Educate Your Kids
One great part about going plastic free is teaching our kids to do the same.
The best way to do this is by setting an example and explaining why you are making this choice.
Educating our kids is a great step forward for the future, so be sure to get them involved as well. Kids are like sponges and take so much in!
Have Fun!
Let’s not forget the main goal: have fun! Picnics should be a stress-free way to enjoy time together as a family or with friends.
About the Author
Felicity is mum to her two daughters, Cassandra (4) and Vivienne (2) and her son Elliot (3 months). Her passion is the parenting industry and creating a community where everyone feels welcome no matter how they choose to parent. It is this passion that led to the creation of The Baby Vine. (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest)