Hi Reader!

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to take the kids on a picnic. It sounds simple, but they genuinely get so excited about eating on a blanket outside every single time. Just find a nice shady spot!🌞

Here are a few tips for picnicking when it's hot outside, plus some easy, packable recipes and some fun backyard ideas.

How I Make Picnics Work When It’s Hot

When it’s really hot out, we’ll go earlier in the day or closer to dinner, find shade first, and pack foods that still taste good chilled or at room temp.

A few things that help:

Pack everything cold: Use ice packs, insulated bags, and chilled drinks to keep the food fresh.

Skip anything too messy, opt for: Wraps, pasta salads, fruit dip, cut veggies, dips, and snacky lunches that don't need a lot of assembling.

Bring a big blanket and a little shade: Even a beach umbrella or sitting under a tree makes it feel so much better.

Make it flexible: If it’s too hot to sit outside long, we’ll eat at home and just bring dessert or drinks outside after the sun goes down.

Picnic Recipes

Backyard Ideas for Bigger Kids

With teens, I feel like the best backyard ideas are the ones that don’t feel too planned. Here are a few easy ways to make an afternoon outside feel fun:

Set up a DIY drink station: Put out lemonade, sparkling water, fruit, mint, and fun cups so they can mix their own drinks. A muddler can make drinks fun!

Bring out the games: Cornhole, badminton, pickleball paddles, cards, or whatever you already have.

Do an outdoor movie night: Bring out blankets, snacks, and a projector if you have one, or just set up a laptop outside.

Plan a backyard photo moment: A picnic blanket, cute cups, fruit, and a few flowers can turn into a fun little photo setup.