It's National Picnic Week and the sun is finally shining, so we're filling up our diaries with plenty of outdoor activities, including our favourite - the humble picnic! Whether you are planning an after-school picnic at the park or a family foodie feast in the back garden, it's a great way to spend time with your tots.
“Picnics are a fabulous way of letting your little ones explore food in a relaxed and fun way. Lots of children, especially toddlers, love the novelty of eating in a new place and in a different way. Picnics are also a great way to offer a nutritionally diverse meal to kids, across a range of different options. Incorporating big tastes and textures, alongside family favourites can be a great way to make the most of some fresh-aired eating (or even on the floor of your living room!).” - Lucy Upton, our Children's Dietitian.
We know that a supermarket sandwich and a packet of crisps doesn't always cut it, so scroll on for 15+ easy foodie ideas from Team Tots...
15+ easy food ideas for your next picnic.
- Rainbow vegetable sticks (cucumber, carrots red pepper, yellow pepper) with a protein-rich dip such as hummus.
- Fruit skewers - we love watermelon, pineapple, kiwi and strawberries!
- Mini chicken skewers or strips of halloumi cheese.
- A big container of pasta salad - try using wholewheat or lentil pasta to mix things up, then add your sauce (we love pesto!) and a mix of veggies, shredded chicken or a tin of beans or lentils.
- Oatcakes with cream cheese and cucumber.
- Savoury egg muffins and fritter slices…
- …Or keep things sweet with our Blueberry Mini Muffins or Apple & Cinnamon Mini Muffins.
- Crackers with dips! Guacamole brings the green from outdoors, salsa can be used to make mini cracker pizzas with a sprinkle of cheese, and smooth nut butter mixed into yoghurt with some grated apple can be a great sweeter option, too.
- Mini Banana or Mini Apple Pancakes - eat alone, sandwich them with nut butter, find a fun topping like yoghurt and mashed fruit or even pair them with a little ice cream.
- Classic sausage rolls - why not try making your own at home?
- A trail mix! Combine options like dried cereal pieces, dried fruit, nuts, pretzels, roasted chickpeas, crushed crackers and maybe even a few chocolate buttons. Remember to make sure this is age-appropriate!
- The humble sandwich always goes down a treat. Find out our Children's Dietitian's favourite sandwich fillings here.
- Watermelon slices
- Homemade cheese straws
- Mini flapjacks - make your own, or tuck into our Apple & Cinnamon Oat Bites!
