How to have the perfect picnic with kids
To celebrate the Rex London summer sale, we asked award-winning Mum in the Madhouse blogger, Jen Walshaw, to share her family’s perfect picnic tips. Here’s what Jen had to say about family picnics this summer…
A picnic to be proud of!
A picnic is a firm favourite in the ‘Mad House’. But thinking of fun and nutritious food that won’t break the bank can pose a challenge. We were given the chance to spend £30 in dotcomgiftshop’s sale to get us all set up for a summer of picnic feasts to be proud of. Here’s what we chose to buy, along with some of our family’s top picnic tips.
Be prepared
Have a selection of melamine plates, cups and bowls ready in advance
I like to have a selection of picnic kit in a box in the garage so I can quickly pull together a bag when the need (and the weather) takes us. When it comes to picnics with children I am a big lover of Melamine plates and cups. They are super simple to pack, can withstand a football and look fabulous too.
If you look in the boot of my car you will find an old oilcloth table cloth. These are perfect for placing on damp ground to keep your picnic blanket dry.
We have a summer basket which includes a towel, swimming trunks, a couple of balls, a kite and sun cream in the car, which means that we are always prepared.
Be spontaneous
Picnics can be simple - a drink and cake after school in the park is a real treat
We try to be prepared in advance so that we can be ‘spontaneous’ when the weather is playing ball.
My boys love it when I pack some hotdogs in a flask and take the buns and we have our dinner at the park after a family game of cricket.
This melamine tableware is child-friendly and dishwasher safe
Having a selection of picnic items to choose from makes it easy to just pack and go. Incidentally, we also use a lot of the items everyday, such as the melamine plates and bowls which are perfect for breakfast.
There is no such thing as bad weather
A flask of hot chocolate will rescue a picnic blighted by rain
Pictured: Daisy Design Flask And Cup - was £12.95, now £4.95
If the weather turns inclement then we often have a car picnic or a lounge picnic. There is something really comforting about the car windows steaming up from mugs of hot chocolate served from the flask, and sitting on a blanket turns an ordinary sandwich into a magic treat for children. Add a soft toy and have a teddy bear’s picnic.
Your flask is your friend
Flasks are ideal for hot and cold drinks, as well as soup or warm sausages
I am a huge lover of flasks. Drinks are so expensive when you have to buy them for all the family and it is so easy to fill a flask with hot water and take some small containers with tea bags, coffee, sugar, hot chocolate and milk.
You can also use your flask to hold soup, beans and sausages and other food too. In fact, we love soup for an Autumn Picnic.
Conversely, flasks are also great at keeping drinks cool. Just pop some ice cubes in.
Pack light
This lightweight dotcomgiftshop bag is ideal for carrying picnic food and equipment
Pictured: Multicolour Geometric Design Shopper Bag - was £2.95, now £1.50
I am a sucker for picnic baskets and everytime I see someone having a picnic on Downtown Abbey I am always so envious. However, I do not have a bunch of servants to carry the chairs, tables, glasses and baskets!
I always try to pack as lightly as I can as it will be me that ends up carrying it all! If I know that where we are picnicking is flat, then I pack our foldable trolley.
Be realistic and relaxed
‘Madhouse’ picnics usually involve paddling and parks
Picnics look very different when you have toddlers rather than teens.
It’s important to make sure that your picnic is fun for everyone, so set realistic expectations for every age group in your party. Over the years I have found that our perfect picnic spot often includes some water to paddle in and some grass to play on. Although we live by the sea we are not keen on sand in our sandwiches, so prefer a park or the moors!
Toys and games
Jen and her boys sharing a favourite book after their picnic lunch
We love taking advantages of the awesome parks, English Heritage properties and National Trust properties in our area. However, we always pack a few simple toys and games for the children too.
Look for toys that invite open-ended play and are perfect for a group of children such as bats, balls, pavement chalk, bubbles, kites, Frisbees and blank paper and pens. We also take books to relax and read together.
Summer sale savings
Want to know exactly how much Jen got for her £30 in our summer sale? Check out her picnic bundle savings:
2X Red Retrospot Bowl - was £2.95 each, now £1.00 each
2X Red Retrospot Cup - was £1.95 each, now £1.00 each
2X Melamine Plate Mid Century Poppy - was £4.95 each, now £1.95 each
2X Melamine Tumbler Mid Century Poppy - was £4.95 each, now £1.95 each
1X Set of 20 Red Vintage Doily Cocktail Napkins - was £2.50, now £0.50
1X Summer Meadow Mini Wet Wipes - was £1.00, now £0.29
1X Mid Century Poppy Mini Wet Wipes - was £1.00, now £0.29
1X Set of 6 Large Classic Cafe Glasses - was £5.95, now £2.95
1X Daisy Tea Towel - was £4.95, now £1.95
1X Daisy Design Flask And Cup - was £12.95, now £4.95
1X Apples Design Lunch Bag - was £3.95, now £1.95
1X Multicolour Geometric Design Shopper Bag - was £2.95, now £1.50
1X Six Cupcake Boxes With Stickers - was £2.95, now £0.39
Total cost before sale = £67.80
Total cost with sale discounts = £26.57
Total saved: £41.23