Eating Outdoors with Children
Summer is in full swing! Nothing says summer like dining al fresco or a picnic.
Take advantage of the warmer weather, longer days, and slower schedules. If you ever feel like mealtimes throughout the year are stressful, you’re not alone. Mix up the routine and take family meals outside.
Summertime eating can be a more relaxing, slow paced, enjoyable experience.
Picnic Together
Picnics are simply put, fun! Time outside as a family leads to greater family bonding and has both physical and mental benefits. Kids are on better behavior in fresh air and picnics are generally peaceful environments.
Make the picnic a social event. Invite friends to meet for a picnic in the park and have it be a potluck.
If you find your patience running low as a parent during the summer, try adding in more family picnics. They can be the magic balm for meltdowns.
Picnic together just about anywhere as a way to connect with your child; in your backyard, the trunk of your car after a summer camp pick up, even the living room floor for one-on-one time. Remember to model grace + courtesy even when not eating at the table.
“This is how we sit on the floor.”
“We keep everything on the picnic blanket in front of us.”
Tips for a Successful Picnic
Activities to promote exploring the outdoors
Make a simple daisy flower crown with fresh flowers
Magnifying glasses
Shovels and buckets for hands on exploring and collecting
A kite, frisbee or beachball for your child while you relax and enjoy some time to socialize with other adults.
Kid Charcuterie Board
These are good for picky eaters because they offer a lot of choice
Try offering them during a playdate and make with your child ahead of time
Put one out as an after camp snack board or Sunday brunch board
A base to prep all ingredients before cooking with your child
Place it in the center of the table for a meal with lots of toppings, such as taco night
Bonus: Less dishes!
Soak up that Vitamin D on a sunny day.
Now more than ever, kids are spending time inside rather than outside. Show your children the importance and enjoyment of being outdoors. Barbeques and picnics are a wonderful way to spend an afternoon as a family, have an easy mealtime, and spend time in nature. Crank up the summer tunes to lift the mood!