Family Picnic that is Low on Cost and High on Fun

We always do an end of the Summer Labor Day picnic. That for us marks the beginning of fall. Our family loves to go hiking, camping, swimming, and have picnics on a shoestring. As I look back over my younger years’ growing up, there are many memorable picnics. That is why I make sure we have at least one picnic per year. We do a lot of outdoor stuff, because it is free.

Usually most of our summer is spent doing lots of outdoor activities, not many indoor activities unless it is too hot. When it gets hot, then we head indoors. Labor Day weekend though can go either way. All four of our sons’ go with us and some even invite friends. Our outdoor family picnic gets bigger some years’ and others’ it gets smaller. But, the fun never waivers.

Family Picnic Preparation

Pack the car for the family picnic. That takes the longest. First, I make a list of what I want to bring. Second, I ask the kids’ what activities they want to bring. For instance, soccer ball, football, badminton or volleyball, croquet, frisbee and Slammo game. After that, I head into the food part of preparation.

As I make out the picnic food list staying on target with our budget is necessary. Making out a basic food list is not hard. First, decide what will be the main dish. Hot dogs or hamburgers, are the meat items I use to choose from. I plan to keep it simple and inexpensive. Next, I check the local store for the items needed to be on sale.

Choose an easy side dish such as baked beans or something that everyone will love. When I meal plan for picnics I use one meat item, and buy in bulk. I make one side dish, and make in bulk. Again, I keep in mind what is on sale. Finally, I choose a fruit like watermelon or cantaloupe to cut up and bring with us.

Our selections of a dessert is simple. Sometimes I bake brownies, but most likely I make a batch of peanut butter cookies and chocolate chip cookies. They are easy to carry when walking, and I don’t have any left to bring home.

Simple Picnic Supplies

When I plan a picnic, the last thing I want to do is spend a lot of money on food, silverware and other stuff. My first plan of action is the keep it simple method. What is the bare minimum needed to have a fun day with family. Hot dogs, hamburgers, buns, condiments and drinks are the staples. Potato salad and coleslaw are not must have’s because our kids will not eat them. In addition to the potato salad and coleslaw is baked beans. So, that becomes my side dish with a bag of chips.

Most picnic items are on sale at the store the weekend of Memorial Day. At that time, I will stock up for Father’s Day bbq, Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekend. Buy once, and save overall. Then for each holiday I choose a different dessert.

Fun Picnic Activity Ideas

Since it can be cool some years’ over the Labor Day weekend it is easier to go to a park that has an option to swim, canoe, or do waterslides. If it is going to be cold we will go horseback riding, hiking, or going to the nature center.

One year we went to a new park on our family picnic day and took a hike. This hiking trail was new and somewhat adventurous to us. The best part was the challenge we met, ladders. These ladders took us to another level of the park and added a fun element to the trail.

Some other fun and frugal activities to do on a family picnic is to make a scavenger hunt, ride bikes or leaf hunt. Tree identification is an activity that we enjoy, and that is one to do along on a hike. Learning about the trees, birds and plants in state or national parks is always free. By making it a game my kids’ were more interested in it. Now they can identify some of the trees that we see, and birds that we hear.

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