Families often want to spend more time outside. Hundreds of studies have shown the benefits of the great outdoors. From overall happiness to academic achievement to mental and physical health, time spent outside correlates with higher quality of life. That being said, the REI-inspired family happily hiking through a national park may seem daunting, out of reach, or simply too time-consuming. If that sounds like you, go for a picnic. Parents can maximize the power of picnics by involving children at every step of the planning process.
A good picnic incorporates life skills that children need to develop while getting them outdoors. First is meal planning. A picnic without food is not a picnic. A child regularly involved with meal planning will begin to see how different foods go together and what is included in a well-balanced meal. After planning the meal, children should be allowed to prepare the food; kitchen confidence is a highly underrated skill in my opinion.
Preschoolers can be involved in meal planning and food preparation, but older children should be given more responsibilities. Older children can be involved in planning where to go for the picnic. Deciding which park to visit, finding picnic-friendly areas, and knowing local regulations about bringing in food are three tasks that can be delegated.
The goal of a picnic is to eat outside, not plan at home. The learning continues after everyone has enjoyed the food. The waste generated from food packaging and fruit remnants is an opportunity to teach and implement Leave No Trace principles. If we all want to spend more time outside, we need to make sure to conserve it as much as possible. Learning is recursive, so reflecting on these principles can help with future meal planning and preparation. Next time, try to plan meals that create less waste.
Picnics are overlooked by the “outdoorsy crowd.” That is a shame. Picnics are perfect, low-stakes ventures outside that lend themselves well to a child’s input. A five-year-old is unable to plan an afternoon hike. However, they can decide if we should eat peanut butter and jelly or ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch. We might be hesitant allowing a teenager to plan a week-long backpacking trek, but they can compare park facilities and present a persuasive argument as to which would be a better visit. We must eat, and we want to spend more time outside. Why not go out for more picnics?
The Keasy Depot 