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It’s a Picnic Party!
Get started on planning your perfect picnic party now.
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The Mouthwatering Cake
While we love (and highly recommend) the mighty watermelon itself, this delightful cake version is a perfect end to your picnic feast.
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The Cool Cones
No need to worry about melting ice cream with this healthy treat—fruit salad has never been yummier (or more appealing to kids).
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The Finger-Lickin’ Chicken
This ‘non-fried' baked chicken recipe uses pretzels to create its tasty (and healthier) crispiness.
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The Savvy Sandwich
Add some Italian flare to your outdoor meal with cold-pressed sandwiches showcasing delectable meats and cheeses.
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The Beautiful Bean
Baked beans go with picnics the way root beer goes with ice cream—so what better way to celebrate both root beer and beans than by putting them together?
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The Mighty Potato
No picnic is complete without a potato salad, and this easy-to-make version should definitely have a place on your red and white blanket.
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The Lemonade Stand
Sure, you could charge your guests a quarter for a glass of your ‘design-your-own-lemonade', but we think the enthusiastic response will be worth a lot more.
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The Outdoor Décor
Keep it simple and sweet with these outdoor picnic décor ideas that will also work well for birthday parties.
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The Basket of Fun
Unpack some of these classic games for all ages from lawn bowling to a three-legged race.
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The Gear: Waterproof Picnic Blanket
We're not wimps, but we're wary of wetness of any kind (unless it's consumable). Keep moisture on the down-lo while your crew stays high and dry and pick up a Tuffo waterproof picnic blanket. A soft cotton top delivers comfort, while the nylon backing contains any moisture from below—and the padded interior helps smooth over rough surfaces; pebbles or uneven ground.
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The Gear: Handmade Picnic Blanket
Check one (gorgeous) picnic requirement off your list. Natural Fibres? Large enough? Soft and yet durable? Check, check and check. Ottawa-based Etsy store SewnNatural made to order picnic blankets are created with soft cotton and retro gingham checking, and finished with three layers of tough denim on the bottom to keep it long lasting. A blanket you'll have for years? Yup, you guessed it, check!
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The Gear: Pop-Up Cooler
What goes up must come down, and picnics are no exception. When you're ready to pack things in après-picnic, Crate and Barrel's Pop Up Cooler is a wise purchase. The nylon cooler expands when full to carry up to 30 pounds of drinks and/or bagged ice, then collapses when you want it to, making less to carry when you're heading back to the car or boat. This is one case (literally) where less is more…and less, again.
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The Gear: Kidco Go-Pod
Can we have it all? Rejoice! The Kidco Go Pod is definitive proof that the answer is yes—at least when it comes to picnicking with an active babe or toddler. When the best picnic spots—overlooking the water, near the edge of a ravine, only offer anxiety for parent picnickers, keep them contained, and content—which is key if you want to enjoy your meal—with a portable activity centre. Lightweight, and folds up easily for storage and portability, there's one major problem—if not existential dilemma—resolved for you.
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The Gear: Buzz Away Insect Repellant
Bugs, poison ivy, the potential for bears. Are you taking your life into your hands when you attempt a picnic? Doubtful, but when it comes to repelling insects, have on hand some natural, non-toxic wipes that allow for easy application, especially when it comes to your busy little bees. Buzz Away Natural Deet-Free Insect Repellant Towlettes made with pure-essentials oils are a chemical free repellant proven to be effective and safe for kids faces and bodies.
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The Gear: CleanWell All-Natural Hand Sanitizer
Keep it clean, people. Since part of the fun of picnicking is letting the kids explore the great outdoors, when it's time to dine, drop in some sanitizer and get those hands to shine. CleanWell's all natural, alcohol free hand sanitizer kills 99.9% of germs and is safe for kids delicate hands, and your, uh, more rugged ones. Don't forget to teach them how to keep a picnic spot clean too; leaving only footprints, and taking only memories.
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The Gear: Aspenware Biodegradable Compostable Wood Cutlery
It's so degrading isn't it. Your perfect picnic spot, ruined by remnants of previous picnickers. Why follow suit? Reduce your use of plastic flatware and your impact on the very earth you'll be sitting on. Canada's Aspenware—a Dragon's Den success story—manufactures biodegradable, compostable wood cutlery, including the packaging, which allows for eco-portable meals. Made of birch and aspen, the cutlery can be re-used if gently cleaned. A total pick-me-up.
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The Gear: PB Classic Stripe Outdoor Pillow
Take the lounge act on the road. Comfort can be easily achieved (we just can't promise for how long) at any picnic spot with outdoor cushions from Pottery Barn that can do double duty on your deck back home. It's a splurge, especially when you're hauling all your cargo up a hill, but these soft pillows with classic stripe will add to the ambiance of a classic picnic experience…along with the ants and your always-active kids.
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The Gear: Djeco My Picnic
We hate to nitpick, but experiencing a picnic with toddlers is a lot like eating at home, no good meal goes uninterrupted. Keeping them busy is key to enjoying the spread you've spread out. This 16 piece picnic set from French toy company, Djeco, comes with a solid wood picnic basket and should keep them happy preparing their own picnic, while you actually get to enjoy yours. Worth every penny, no?
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The Gear: Melissa & Doug Happy Kiddie Picnic Basket
Giddy might be excessive, but we bet you'll be happy about Melissa and Doug's Happy Giddy Picnic Basket which is fun for the kids and offers functional tableware they can really use. The set of four dishwasher-safe plates, appropriately bug shaped, cups, forks and spoons will have them all kitted out for a perfect picnic, and is stored in a brightly coloured picnic basket with handle. It'll be easy to get them excited about having a picnic with this set. Getting them to eat is still another challenge altogether.
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The Gift: Fisher Price Little People® Wheelies Stand ‘n Play Rampway
As your child explores how things work they will make new discoveries every day. These magical moments will boost their self-confidence and contribute to the critical development of self-control. Little People® Wheelies zoom up and down and all around on the Stand ‘n Play Rampway. The rampway is over two feet tall and features two spiral ramps. There are plenty of lights and sounds as kids “drive” around. Includes rampway and two Wheelies vehicles. Requires 3 AA batteries. Read more about milestones and enter to win the Fisher Price Birthday Gift of the Month.
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Looking for More?
View all of our SavvyMom Galleries for more fun ideas.