Have a Backyard Picnic
"Let's have a picnic" are four little words that say "fun" to energetic kids. Planning a backyard picnic can keep kids busy and entertained all afternoon. Let them pick a theme, do a little decorating, and help out with the cooking. The result will be a fun family dinner with lots of new experiences to share.
While good tomatoes are in season, BLT Cornbread Salad makes a delicious side dish for a picnic or cookout. It's even hearty enough to be the main dish for a light summer supper served on a bed of lettuce. Since it has mayonnaise dressing, keep in the refrigerator or in a cooler until serving time. Promptly return leftovers to refrigerator.
Celebrate your Picnic with something sweet by making Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches. The kids can help with this recipe too, and it's just fun to get in the kitchen and cook up such a cool treat. The cookie part is really easy to make with a convenient brownie mix, and kids will love filling the cookies with ice cream. Things might get a little sticky, but that will be easy to wipe up, and the memories will be worth it.
Picnic Check List
Picnics are a wonderful way to make the most out of warm summer weather, but a few forgotten items can be annoying if not disastrous. Here is a handy basic check list to start with. Add your family's favorite picnic items and you'll be sure to get there with everything you need.
- Most important -- have plenty of ice to keep food and drinks chilled. Remember to keep any perishable food in the cooler until time to eat and don't leave it out more than two hours.
- Freeze juice boxes or bottled water for icy cold drinks and a cool cooler.
- For serving – napkins, table covering or blanket, plates, cups, eating and serving utensils.
- Can and bottle openers.
- Condiments like ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, salad dressings, salt and pepper.
- Lots of wipes for sticky fingers.
- Garbage bags and paper towels for clean-up.
- Foil and plastic bags for leftovers.
- Insect repellant, suntan lotion and sunglasses.
- Cards, games and sports equipment.