By Christine Steendahl For more picnic food recipes visit Christine's www.kidapprovedmeals.com
Picnics are a fun summer activity. Parents and little ones get to spend much needed time together. If you have a toddler or small child, the great outdoors can be an adventure. Small children are easy to please. When deciding what edible items to pack in the picnic basket, keeping it easy is the your best bet. The kids will spend more time playing so bring edible items that will stay fresh throughout the day. Pack your food with safety in mind. Keep all of the food you bring in an ice packed cooler to avoid spoilage. Freeze ice packs in the freezer overnight and use instead of ice in your cooler. This will result in less mess when the cooler starts to warm The key to feeding toddlers and small children at a picnic is to make the food bite sized. Food pieces that are too large can pose a choking risk. Finger foods will satisfy small tummies without filling them up. If the picnic is during lunch time, pack some sandwiches. Consider peanut butter and jelly. To make the sandwiches more appreciated, slice them into different shapes using cookie cutters. When it is time to eat, place the tiny sandwiches on a plate and serve with a sippy cup full of milk or juice. If your child can't sit still to eat, opt for vegetables. If the child is running back and forth, they don't want to stop to sit down. Chop a few carrots or celery. For simpler handling, they can be purchased from the grocer already pre-cut. The kids can walk and eat at the same time. If raw veggies are too hard for toddlers to chew, give them crackers or a cheese stick. Running and playing during a picnic can leave toddlers thirsty. Steer clear of carbonated drinks and sodas. They increase thirst instead of quenching it. Keep bottled water and juice on hand. Dilute the juice with water to lower the amount of sugar your child ingests. If small children are part of a family picnic, finger foods are still a good rule of thumb. Hot dogs and hamburgers are still manageable for toddlers when cut into bite size pieces. Be careful though—little ones are known to stuff their mouths when parents aren’t watching. Fruit is also a good idea for toddlers. Because it is naturally sweet, you don’t need to take along sugary treats. Prepare and pack fruit the night before and freeze. During the picnic, the pieces will slowly thaw and provide a cool snack. Having toddlers or small children at a cookout won’t cramp your style. In fact, they are often easier to make happy than older children and adults. Where they are concerned, keep the menu easy. Author Resource - For more awesome childrens picnic suggestions from Christine Steendahl, "The Menu Mom", visit Picnic Food Recipes |