It’s starting to warm up here in Long Beach, and that means many of us will be venturing into the great outdoors for our first family picnic of the season. Whether your destination is the beach, the park, or even your own backyard, these tips will ensure that your outdoor meals are special, memorable, and, best of all, EASY.

The right gear:

Set aside a reusable thermal bag, cooler, or picnic basket and fill it with the essentials below. Store this “go bag” in your garage, pantry, or even the trunk of your car so that it’s ready to use whenever the mood strikes.

Quick prep:

Keep easy foods in the fridge this summer: grapes, salami, dried fruit, nuts, crackers and other grab and go finger foods. Pre-slice anything like cheese or sausages so that you don’t have to bring a knife and cutting board.

Tip from Long Beach Mom Lauren Ruehl Tomlin:“I take the small Hawaii roll buns, cut the whole dang sleeve down the middle and do cold cuts, then put the top back on & cut along the slices! Super easy!”

Save the earth, go reusable:

We all want to do our part to keep our environment healthy. By making a meal of finger foods, not only do you not have to lug around plates and utensils, you limit the waste your outdoor meal will create. Just toss some cloth napkins into your bag, and you are good to go. For food storage, consider stainless steel bento containers, washable cloth snack bags, or even reusable beeswax food wrap.

                    

Spill-proof your outing:

Without plates, how do you serve the food? Believe it or not, just grab a couple of muffin tins! You can use them as serving trays or even as individual plates by placing different items in each of the cups. They are sturdy and won’t bend or flex like paper plates. Worried about your wine going overboard? With their leak-proof lids and wide bases, mason jars make convenient, stable beverage containers (and no one knows what you’re drinking ;)). Finally, be sure you have on hand a foldable waterproof blanket like this one to avoid soggy or muddy jeans at the end of the night.

Tip from Long Beach Mom Rain Levberg “I freeze Babybel cheeses and apple pouches to use to keep lunch bags cool.”

Protect yourself:

There’s nothing worse than coming home from a fantastic outing with a bunch of bug bites or a killer sunburn. Don’t forget to protect yourself and your family with natural sunscreen and bug repellent.

         

Pump up the fun!

The main show may be the food, but that doesn’t mean the family shouldn’t also enjoy some play time. Make a picnic playlist on your phone and blast some tunes. No need for a Bluetooth speaker; place your phone (speaker side down) in an empty glass or spare mason jar to amplify the sound. Don’t forget to stock your bag with a frisbee or ball, or you might consider investing in a foldable cornhole set for the height of family fun.

Have other picnic ideas for your fellow mamas? Join the conversation.