Family Picnic Recipes You Can Pack for an Outing the Kids Will Love

Summer means warmer weather and more quality time together as a family. With the kids celebrating the start of summer vacation, it’s time to start planning those picnics. Your children will love getting to spend time with you in the fresh air and sunshine, and with these family picnic recipes, they’ll love the food too.

 

Scrumptious Sandwiches

 

Sandwiches could probably be considered the perfect picnic food. They’re easy to make and transport. They’re also very versatile. Whatever you put between those two slices of bread is up to you and can include anything from ham and cheese to chicken, tuna, or egg salad.

 

Tasty Tuna Salad Sandwich

 

Made with simple ingredients, including canned tuna, mayonnaise, diced pickle, and a touch of salt and pepper, this sandwich comes together quickly and easily. The addition of lettuce and tomato provides a refreshing crunch and extra nutrition.

 

 

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of bread
• 1 can of tuna, drained
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon diced pickle
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1-2 lettuce leaves
• 1 tomato slice

 

Instructions:

1. In a small mixing bowl, combine the tuna, mayonnaise, pickle, salt, and pepper.
2. Spread the tuna mixture on one slice of bread.
3. Place the lettuce leaves and tomato slice on top of the tuna.
4. Top with the second slice of bread and cut the sandwich in half, if desired.
5. Wrap the sandwich in foil or parchment paper to keep it fresh and easy to transport.

 

Fun with Food Tip #1:

 

Add some pizazz to your picnic’s main dish by turning basic sandwiches into cool kebabs. Cut each sandwich into four small squares, then slide these onto skewers and top each kebab with a mini pickle and a grape tomato. The following recipe works great with this serving style.

 

Simple and Satisfying Sandwich with Meat and Cheese

 

With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a classic sandwich that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Feel free to add more ingredients to this simple option if your kids are a bit more adventurous.

 

 

Ingredients:

 

• 2 slices of bread
• 4-5 thin slices of your favorite deli meat (such as ham or turkey)
• 1-2 slices of your favorite cheese (such as cheddar or Swiss)
• 1-2 lettuce leaves
• 1 tomato slice
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon mustard

 

Instructions:

 

1. Spread mayonnaise and mustard on one or both slices of bread.
2. Place the lettuce leaves and tomato slice on one slice of bread.
3. Layer the deli meat and cheese slices on top of the lettuce
   and tomato.
4. Top with the second slice of bread and cut the sandwich in half, if desired.
5. Wrap the sandwich in foil or parchment paper to keep it fresh and easy to transport.

 

Kids’ Favorite Finger Foods

 

There’s no need to stress about what to pack kids for a picnic. It’s actually the perfect opportunity to let them eat what they’re always asking for anyways: snacks! Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should just grab some potato chips and cookies and head out.

 

There are plenty of healthy options for finger foods that will fill your kids up. Spread some peanut butter on a stick of celery and add raisins for “Ants on a Log”. Or, simply slice up some fruits and veggies and grab a favorite dip. Add it all together and you’ll have a complete meal to enjoy on your picnic. Check out these two family picnic recipes for some ideas to get you started.

 

Fun with Food Tip #2:

 

It’s all in the presentation. There’s lots of ways to make snacking into something more exciting. Let the kids build their own bento boxes or lay it all out and call it a charcuterie board.

 

Satisfying Snack Platter

 

 

Combining the right finger foods is as easy as 1, 2, 3. You can even get the kids involved and have them pick out their favorite snacks. Just be sure to include something from each category for a well-balanced picnic meal.

 

1. Pick your proteins (2+): Sliced deli meat (turkey, chicken, ham, or salami), sliced cheese (cheddar, swiss, pepper jack), hardboiled egg, yougurt, hummus, etc. 

 

2. Choose a Carb: crackers, pieces of bread, hard pretzels, etc. 

 

3. Add a Veggie: Grape tomatoes or slices of carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers, celery, etc.

 

4. Add a Fruit: Grapes, berries, sliced banana or apple, chopped melon, etc. 

 

5. Serve it all together and let the kids graze.

 

Portable Picnic Trail Mix

 

Trail mix is an easy fix for any of your future family outings. Take it on a hike, bring it on errands for when the kids need a quick snack, or pack it for the picnic. Start with this recipe, but feel free to add or remove ingredients to suit your tastes.

 

 

Ingredients:

 

• 1 cup cereal (such as Cheerios or Chex)
• 1 cup hard pretzels
• 1 cup nuts (such as almonds or peanuts)
• 1 cup dried fruit (such as raisins or cranberries)
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips or M&Ms

 

Instructions:

 

1. Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
2. Stir until well mixed.
3. Store the trail mix in an airtight container or resealable bag.

 

Dig Into Dessert

 

No picnic is complete without a sweet treat, so of course, our list of family picnic recipes had to include dessert. Here are just a couple of our favorite desserts for a picnic with the family.

 

Fun with Food Tip #3:

 

Experts recommend serving dessert right alongside the rest of the meal. Then, it’s just another enjoyable part of the meal and not a source of stress.

 

Crispy and Chewy Cereal Bars

 

While you do have to do some prep work before packing these cereal bars up for the picnic, they’re well worth the effort. A mixture of honey and peanut butter makes them sweet and sticky, while your favorite cereal provides a nice crunch. Customize this recipe with additions like chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit if you’d like.

 

 

Ingredients:

 

• 4 cups of your favorite cereal (such as Rice Krispies or Cheerios)
• 1/2 cup of peanut butter
• 1/2 cup of honey
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp of salt

 

Instructions:

 

1. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the peanut butter and honey. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is melted and smooth – about 1 minute.
3. Transfer honey-peanut butter mixture to a medium mixing bowl and whisk in the salt and vanilla extract.
4. Fold in the cereal and stir until the cereal is evenly coated.
5. Transfer the mixture into the greased baking dish and press down firmly with a rubber spatula.
6. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes so that the bars can cool
   and set before cutting into squares.
7. Pack these crispy and chewy cereal bars up for your picnic
   and enjoy!

 

Fruit Salad with Vanilla Yogurt Dressing

 

This fruit salad is a refreshing and healthy dessert option that’s perfect for summer picnics. The vanilla yogurt dressing adds a touch of sweetness and creaminess to the fresh fruit, making it a great dessert option. Feel free to mix and match different fruits to create your own fruit salad.

 

 

Ingredients:

 

• 2 cups of fresh mixed berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries)
• 2 medium peaches
• 1 medium mango
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp of honey
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract

 

Instructions:

1. Wash and dice the fruit into bite-sized pieces and add to a large mixing bowl.
2. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, honey, and vanilla extract to create the dressing.
3. Pour the dressing over the fruit and toss until the fruit
   is evenly coated.
4. Chill the fruit salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes
   before serving.
5. Bring your fruit salad on the picnic for a healthy dessert option the whole family will enjoy.

 

Make More Family Memories, Starting with the Perfect Picnic

 

 

We hope these picnic recipes for families help you to create a delicious and enjoyable experience for you and your kids. From savory sandwiches and finger foods to sweet treats, there’s something for everyone.

 

Of course, it’s not just about the food you pack in your picnic basket. It’s also about the moments that you make together as a family. Plan a picnic to remember this summer using our family picnic recipes. Then, set out to make the rest of your summer memorable as well.

 

If you need any more help, you can always turn to Ledge for tips on outdoor living. Subscribe to our email newsletter to never miss out on new inspiration and ideas.

 

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