Image courtesy of Latina Moms.
Growing up, my parents would spend virtually no time trying to come up with fun activities for the summer. The few (very few) times they tried to do something together as a family, it would always end up in disaster.
So, you can already imagine how our picnics and other family outings would end up being a silent “adventure.”
After experiencing this growing up, I wanted to be that mom that would do all the fun things and plan all the exciting activities.
It wasn’t long before I realized that they could quickly turn to disaster because of how overwhelming they can be.
However, family picnics don’t always have to be a disaster. Here are some tips that will make your life easier.
Keep the Food Simple
Mira, amiga. I know you have hundreds of Pinterest inspiration boards filled with “aesthetic” activities and recipes.
While that is undoubtedly visually pleasing, they lead to false expectations of how life should be. Some of us just do not have the skills or time to accomplish these lavish recipes.
Picnic food does not have to be fancy in order to be good. Make a simple ham and cheese sandwich (or pb&j for our picky eaters). Bring fruits and vegetables that are easy to carry and do not make a mess, such as bananas or raspberries.
We don’t want the juice of 10 oranges all over your children that will leave you dealing with a sticky mess.
Keep a Picnic Basket Handy at All Times
Sometimes, we wake up, and contrary to all meteorology reports, the weather is absolutely beautiful. For those moments when your children beg you to take them on a picnic at the very last minute, always have a picnic basket ready with essentials.
Don’t have a picnic basket? Use the countless supply of bolsas plásticas you have been hoarding in your kitchen cabinet.
Think of a large blanket, plates, napkins, cutlery, card games, sunscreen, and toys. These are items you will always need during a picnic. This way, you prevent accidentally forgetting or running to Target in a frenzy trying to gather all your supplies.
Preparing ahead of time will also prevent you from saying no to your children (and prevent a day full of crying and whining).
Think About Location
Most family picnics that end in disaster are due to poor planning regarding location. Don’t go to a park with no entertainment source for your children.
Make sure it has a playground if your child loves to get down and dirty. I personally love to go to parks because you can count on shade from large trees.
I love going to the beach, but I don’t recommend having a family picnic there. Just the thought of all the sand flying everywhere because of my children’s sand castle and digging adventures make this location a big no.
Moms, remember we can still have fun with our children without losing our sanity. Give these tips a try and experience a picnic stress-free.