The Mom’s Guide To A Stress Free Picnic
My kids’ newest fun thing to do is to picnic. They want to eat outside everywhere, all the time. So I’ve learned a thing or two about how to alleviate the stress that comes with lugging a bunch of stuff around, worrying about whether the food will go bad or not, and what foods cause the least mess.
So get ready to pack up some finger food (no utensils required!), spill-proof cups, and a few other things and you’ll be ready to go!
Soft Sided Cooler…On Wheels
Instead of lugging a cooler and a backpack or other bag to keep stuff in, why not invest in a cooler with wheels and additional storage space? This Coleman 50-Quart Wheeled Soft-Sided Cooler comes with plenty of pocket space to stash sunblock, shoes, and a blanket. It even has bungee cords so that you can put more stuff on top of it if need be. And it’s only about $40!
Still need to carry a bag with more stuff in it (towels, a change of clothes…)? Then check out my #1 must have summer beach bag…the Saltwater Canvas Whale Bag. It has 9 pockets, a carabiner for your keys, a secret zippered compartment on the inside, and is made of mesh which is both weatherproof and super strong.
Cloth Napkins
Why not use cloth napkins so that you don’t have to worry about the paper napkins all blowing away in the breeze? Check out these Lilypad LunchMates. This set of 5 reusable cloth napkins come in coordinating patterns. Lilypad uses repurposed fabric to keep it all out of the landfill. That means they are using the fabrics liberated from the cutting facility as well as their own excess fabric that would typically just get tossed!
Waterproof Blanket
I just purchased this blanket from JJ Cole Collections and I cannot wait to get it! It is perfect for the park, the beach, or sporting events. Its durable outer fabric is ideal for any surface, and the inner lining quickly wipes clean. And it’s big; it’s 5 ft x 5 ft when opened, but also is compact because it folds up and has a detachable strap so you can swing it over your shoulder and throw it into the trunk without any effort!
Reusable Food Containers
If you use reusable food containers, you don’t have to worry about trash. Remember those reusable sandwich baggies by Planet Wise I recently told you about? They’d be perfect for a picnic!
Safe Food Tips
And just to keep everybody safe, keep these food tips in mind:
- Pack your cooler with plenty of ice to ensure a temperature below 40 degrees. Bacteria multiplies rapidly on food that is at temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees.
- When packing food in the cooler, make sure you keep it cold. Avoid opening the cooler every five minutes, and remember that food shouldn’t be out of the refrigerator or oven at room temperature for more than two hours.
- Don’t transport the cooler in the trunk of your car. Keep it in the air-conditioned portion of the car. This helps everything stay cooler longer.
- Once you arrive at your destination, keep the cooler out of direct sunlight.
- Place leftover foods in the cooler immediately after everyone is served. Throw away any food left out for more than two hours.
What tips do you have for a successful picnic?
