5 Steps to an Easy Park Picnic
A stressless and easy park picnic isn’t impossible when you keep a few things in mind. These generally relate to food and drink. But also consider others and when you plan to go.
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A stressless and easy park picnic isn’t impossible when you keep a few things in mind. These generally relate to food and drink. But also consider others and when you plan to go.
Consider the Food Carefully
There might be two or an entire family on a picnic. And as you know, everyone has the things they love and the things they hate. So consider dietary preferences and even allergies before you get cooking. But also concerning cooking, it’s better to go for dishes that are great when eaten cold. Pies and pastries, fresh fruit dishes, and homemade healthy pasta salad are perfect examples. Also, don’t forget to pack your food into cooler bags to keep them fresh and tasty.
Divide Food Between Multiple Bags
Even between two people, there can be a lot to carry when you go out for a picnic. And a family one means you will have tons. So don’t make it too hard on yourself by packing one bag full of everything. It helps to divide your items between bags. So, for example, put your fresh stuff in a cooler bag, plates, and cutlery in another, and don’t forget a bag for drinks. And since everyone is eating, don’t forget to enlist others, such as the kids, in helping you carry anything you need.
Cater to Everyone for an Easy Park Picnic
As mentioned, not everyone likes the same foods. And finding a good balance can be hard. You might love salmon finger rolls with cold white chardonnay. But the kids probably want mini hotdogs and coke rather than something healthy. And it’s also unfair to cater to just one group of people, which in the worst case, means someone ends up going hungry. A good idea is to have the kids vote on what they want. As for adults, take requests long before you begin cooking.
Choose a Good Time
Most people go for their outdoor food fun around 1 or 2 pm. This is when the sun is hottest. But it also means that wherever you go, it’s likely to be more busy. If it’s a particularly good day for the weather, you can leave earlier in the morning or wait back for a couple of hours. Of course, don’t forget to check the weather, as it can change at the drop of a hat. And blankets or plastic sheets are essential if it has been raining before you plan to leave for your family dinner.
Leave No Trace Behind
Finally, but no less important, leave no trace that you were there. This is just plain respect for others, nature, and the area itself. Make sure you pack away any trash into bags and take it with you. Also, never use disposable barbecues in a public park. These are actually one of the leading causes of “wildfires” in nature reserves and wooded areas. Additionally, you can buy a portable privacy tent very cheaply so you can answer the call of nature when you are outdoors.
Summary
You can make it less challenging for yourself and go for an easy park picnic next time. Make dishes that taste better cold, make something for everyone, and leave no trace you were there.
