Are you looking into hosting a Family-Friendly Backyard Picnic? Here are Tips and Ideas
Hosting a Family-Friendly Backyard Picnic: Tips and Ideas
You can pull off a special-but-low-key backyard picnic with just a little planning. Because, sometimes you just don’t want to travel with the whole family and everything that goes with them anywhere. So, a fun day in the backyard with great food, entertainment, quality time, and plenty of laughs is just what everyone might need. And this day is pretty low budget too.
Now, here’s how to make your family-friendly backyard picnic both effortless and unforgettable, from setting up a yard to organizing activities that work for all ages.
Creating the Perfect Picnic Setup
The best thing about a picnic setup in the backyard is that it can be imperfect, and as long as it’s welcoming, everyone will have fun. That said, it can make all the difference. Soft seating for all is key—a balance of picnic quilts and old quilts—even yoga mats for the super-versatile. Sprinkle some large pillows around, beanbags, and even puffs, to provide that extra padding.
If you’re expecting children, consider making a “kid zone” with a few blankets available at their height and some strong cushions to lounge, play, or snack on. You can simply layer up a couple of throws for adults or bring out low stools or ottomans to give some more support.
The key to a successful picnic is shade. If your yard doesn’t have enough natural shade from trees, improvise with what you have. A large picnic umbrella, canopy tent, or even a cleverly hung bed sheet can work wonders in keeping the sun at bay. Stringing up fairy lights, lanterns, or colorful bunting adds a whimsical touch to the space and makes the area feel intentional without a lot of effort.
Wheel a table outside if you have one extra, and make this an area for serving or dining. It does not need to be anything fancy, just a rustic table of wood with only a table runner and some wildflowers in mason jars. In more laid-back settings, you can definitely use crates, trays, or even an upturned cooler as surrogate tables.
Preventing hiccups at your picnic
But there’s one thing that will bring the mood of a beautiful backyard picnic down in an instant: uninvited guests—those little pests and insects. So while a little nature will be tolerated, there are easy ways to keep them from turning your gathering into some swatting frenzy, trying to shoo them all away. Start by sprinkling some citronella candles and torches around the picnic area as a natural way to fend off mosquitoes. For an added kick, make a homemade fly-insect repellent mist using water, a couple drops of essential oils—cited to be effective with flies—are eucalyptus and lavender—add a splash of witch hazel.
Protect your food with mesh food domes or breathable cloths; this keeps the flies away but still accessible to everyone. If ants are the problem, sprinkle a thin line of cinnamon or coffee grounds around the edges of the blankets—they are harmless to people yet work as a natural repellent against the ants. Lastly, a small fan will work its magic by keeping the flying pests away and providing your guests with a refreshing breeze. With a little preparation, you will be able to keep everyone comfortable and let the day go by without the constant buzz of unwanted visitors.
Planning a Family-Friendly Picnic Menu
Food is the heart of any picnic, but it does not have to be so complicated. Focus on dishes that are easy to eat with your hands and which will not require fuss every now and then. These should be dishes that would please both kids and adults.
With a combination of traditional picnic foods with some new ones, it will surely satisfy their hunger. Sandwiches are always welcomed, but one can create them with a fresh baguette or wrap. Using cookie cutters, cutting out stars, dinosaurs, or heart shapes for sandwiches for the children will be irresistible to them. Match these up with colorful fruit skewers made up of grapes, strawberries, and melon cubes for a healthy and fun snack.
Food ideas for Everyone
For adults, think grazing platter: a mix of cheeses, crackers, olives, nuts, and some seasonal fruits like figs or apples make for an easy board that feels indulgent but fuss-free. Add a little extra oomph by tossing together a pasta salad using bowtie pasta, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of pesto or olive oil.
Drinks are just as important as the food, and especially on a warm day, a drink station is super easy to keep everyone hydrated with self-serve options. Fill a large pitcher full of lemonade and add slices of lemon and mint for a refreshing twist. For the kids, juice boxes or sparkling water with a splash of fruit syrup is a fun alternative. A cooler with bottles of sparkling wine or iced tea with a squeeze of lime can also be enjoyed by adults.
For dessert, just keep it simple and fun: brownies, cupcakes, or pies like this kool aid pie are picnic mainstays, but if you get creative, pack a jar of ingredients for s’mores. If you are near a location where it is safe and legal, toast marshmallows over a small fire pit or grill. If not, make some s’mores-inspired treats ahead of time, such as chocolate-dipped graham crackers with marshmallow toppings.
Keeping Kids Entertained
It would be an excellent picnic, with a perfect balance between letting the kids be themselves and giving adults some alone time. And the greatest thing about activities that include kids is that they don’t have to be super elaborate to be amusing. A hideaway store of bubbles, sideway chalk, or jump ropes will keep the small ones running in circles around each other for hours on. You could make a little cradle for the younger ones, to play around with a picnic blanket, plushies, and books to curl up and sleep or to quietly play with.
If you’re hosting older kids, lawn games like ring toss, cornhole, or giant Jenga are always a hit. For something a little more organized, set up a scavenger hunt with simple clues and small prizes—this can be as simple as asking kids to find a yellow flower, a smooth rock, or a stick shaped like the letter “Y.”
Games and Fun for your Picnic
For families with mixed ages, a few classic board games have the potential to bring people together. Games like backgammon or cards tend to be low-key and give parents a chance to slow down while kids get in a little mental exercise.
If you want to keep the kids running and the energy level up, then renting a small bounce house or jump castle would be great. That’s sure to entertain them for hours, allowing Mom and Dad time to sit down and eat, not to mention catch up in peace. If your family is into a bit of sport, set up a friendly game of soccer, organize a relay race, or toss a frisbee around. It gets everyone running around and introduces a little bit of playful competition.
For extremely hot days, a sprinkler or inflatable pool will be a lifesaver and serve as endless fun while helping the kids cool off. Just be prepared with some towels and extra clothes because splashes are inevitable. The kids can run wildly, jump to their hearts’ content, and burn all that energy off with these ideas, leaving the adults free to relax and enjoy a carefree afternoon.
Adding Special Touches
The little details are what make a picnic in the backyard so much more than just lunch outside. Small, thoughtful touches take little effort but create a sense of magic and togetherness.
One idea is to set up a DIY lemonade bar. Fill a large glass dispenser with plain lemonade, then set out small jars of fruit syrups, sliced strawberries, and mint leaves so that guests can make their own flavors. Not only does it look beautiful, but it is also an activity kids and adults alike will love.
Other considerate gestures would be to bring in a Polaroid camera or simply set up a basic tripod for phones so photos can be taken with the family. A picnic basket with hats, scarves, or other fun props may allow guests to take silly pictures with one another for keepsakes to remember the day.
Closer to sundown, drape light blankets over chair backsides or set them in a proximal basket for guests should they get chilly. Decorate the yard with soft lighting, like small lanterns or flameless candles, to create an ethereal effect as people settle in and the evening winds down.
Conclusion
Gather around the people you love most in the world, share a meal, and create those moments that get lost in the hustle and bustle of life. Kids don’t need scheduled activities to have fun—just a place to run free and a license to play uninhibited. Parents don’t need fancy food or perfect table settings; they just need to be given the time to sit back and savor with the ones they love
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