This is part of a sponsored campaign between Welch’s and Latina Moms.
Summer is here — qué rico! It’s time to slow down and enjoy making memories together as a family. A simple but fun outdoor activity both kids and parents will love is a picnic, and it’s an excellent way to spend some quality time as a family during the summer. A good picnic should include a great location, tasty food, and refreshing drinks, like our favorite Welch’s juices. Check out these quick and easy tips for planning a perfect summer family picnic.
Delicious beverages to stay refreshed
A cool, yummy drink is a must for every summer picnic! We recommend packing drinks that both adults and kids will like. Nothing says summer like the tropical flavors of Welch’s Juices, and they are the perfect drink to pop in your picnic cooler. They are made from real fruit juice and are an excellent source of Vitamin C. And, did we mention the tropical flavors? Our favorite is Welch’s Passion Fruit Juice, but they come in many different flavors – try them all! You can find these Welch’s Juices in the refrigerated aisle of your grocery store.
Keep the food simple yet tasty
You want to keep it simple when it comes to picnic food. Of course, sandwiches, cheese plates, and fresh fruit go a long way. However, if you want to put that Latino twist on your picnic menu, we suggest easy to pack (and eat) items like empanadas, croquetas, or Spanish tortilla wedges paired with una ensalada rusa (Russian potato salad). Best of all, any of those food items go great with all of the flavors of Welch’s refrigerated juices!
The location will make the picnic or break it
Location is key. You don’t want to have an afternoon filled with complaints because the ground is too rocky or there’s too much dirt. After all, part of the beauty of a picnic is being able to relax. Instead, find a place where there’s a level grassy spot and where bugs won’t swarm in. Check if your town has specific spots or parks designated for picnics (they usually do). We also love having picnics at the beach, by a lake, or any peaceful body of water. Finally, how about your very own backyard or front porch?
Once you have the perfect location picked out, it’s important to think about making the spot comfortable as well. We recommend taking a large blanket or sheets to spread out with lots of room — the more space, the better. You don’t want to feel cramped or feel the scratchy grass for hours, believe us. Pro tip: take some pillows to elevate the experience!
Don’t forget about the games
Though relaxing is one of the perks of a picnic, it is still a good idea to bring some games along as well. Try packing a deck of playing cards for a round of Go Fish or Gin Rummy or pen and paper for charades (there’s an app you can download, too). If it’s a bit windy, there’s nothing more magical than flying a kite! Depending on how big of a crowd you are expecting at your family picnic, you could even plan a tug-of-war or three-legged race to get some friendly competition going.
Storing and transporting your picnic goodies
Don’t forget to think about how you’ll be storing and carrying all your things to keep them nice and fresh on hot summer days. Put food, beverages, cups, plates, and utensils in a place that will fit them comfortably and keep your picnic tasty. A cooler or even a large, insulated tote will work wonders and keep all your food and Welch’s juice nice and cold. As for the rest, keep food in smaller containers to maintain their freshness, and make sure you pack plenty of ice!
We hope you will take these tips into consideration. Not only will you become an expert at picnicking, but your family will also love you (more) for it. And, don’t forget that picnics are fun to do year-round and definitely more than once over the summer break.