Things to Pack For a Kid-Friendly Picnic

Things to Pack For a Kid-Friendly Picnic
By Christine Steendahl

Things to Pack For a Kid-Friendly Picnic-----Planning a picnic is an event that the whole family should join in on. Because you want the day to be successful, all ideas are vital. If you have children, don?t forget to pack items for entertainment and in case of emergencies.

Let's start with safety. No matter what the venue for the picnic, kids will be kids and accidents can always be a reality. Take along a first aid kit for any bumps, scrapes, or bug bites. A first aid kit can come in handy for the rest of the group.

If the picnic is late enough that it could run into evening, flashlights are a good idea. They keep older kids from wandering off and can be used by the younger ones to play a variety of games. Some extra illumination will keep you from forgetting any of your stuff when packing up to go home.

If you are near the woods or at the beach, take along sun and bug protection along. Everyone should protect themselves from sun damage no matter what their age. Waterproof sun block won't wash off even when kids sweat during play. Bug spray keeps mosquitoes at bay in the late evening. When possible, take sun visors or ball caps to keep the sun off of small faces. You can purchase inexpensive visors and caps at your local craft store and decorate them prior to you family picnics.Sticky hands are a way of life with children. To keep their hands clean between eating and play, buy some moist towelettes. A box of cleansing wipes will work wonders to keep hands and fingernails free of dirt and germs in the absence of soap and water. Check the box to see if the wipes are gentle enough to be used on the face.

Remember blankets and toys. Kids may want to sit in the grass and play. A waterproof blanket gives them a comfortable place to sit and play with their toys where you can monitor them. Sitting directly in the grass may make the skin itchy. If you frequent an area where ticks are a nusance, playing in the grass is not a good idea.Since children can get bored rather easy, bring a variety of things for them to do. Kids who don't want to run around may enjoy board games. You?d be amazed at how a game of Scrabble? or Monopoly? can pass the time. Older kids can ride bikes or roller skate if you are in a park or an area with trails. Kids love to picnic. Good food and good times can occupy a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Packing a few ultimate supplies can keep your picnic an enjoyable family event.

For more excellent child friendly picnic ideas from Christine Steendahl, "The Menu Mom", check out http://www.dinewithoutwhine.com/article-picnic-idea.htm