Pack a picnic - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Pack a picnic

Ask the kids to help with the planning. What's the menu? Just snacks or a full meal? © flickr/avlxyz Ask the kids to help with the planning. What's the menu? Just snacks or a full meal? © flickr/avlxyz
By Elizabeth Wells

What better way to enjoy the warm weather than a picnic! After months of eating at the kitchen table or around the coffee table, a change of scenery is much needed. The robins and bluebirds provide the music and in many places, the bugs are at a minimum. The kids are raring to get outside, so pick a spot -- park, backyard, or the beach -- and plan a picnic.

Ask the kids to help with the planning. What's the menu? Just snacks or a full meal? PB&J, cold fried chicken, and hero-style sandwiches are favorites that the kids can help assemble.

When Lynda Hannan's local group of preschool moms and their families prepared for a picnic lunch at an Easter egg hunt, Lynda had Jack and Katie help stuff the eggs they donated. "I told them this was a practice hunt before Easter."

Picnic activities:

  • If you're by the ocean or at a park with sand, pack empty butter and yogurt containers to build sandcastles.
  • If you're landlocked, bring backyard toys, a ball, or even a board game.
  • Play physical games like Simon Says, Red Light-Green Light, and Hot Potato.

Appreciate the budding season:

  • Explore the growing progress of trees and bushes.  
  • Notice the return of native birds, and observe their nesting habits.
  • If rain showers threaten your picnic plans, simply move the party inside. Stretch a blanket over the family room floor and go with juice boxes or cups with lids to prevent messes. Use a poster board and make a big, bright sun.

  • Mark Leslie Recipes

  • Friday, May 17 2013 12:05 PM EDT2013-05-17 16:05:07 GMT
    In Italian, the word "gelato" means "frozen" more than it means "ice cream." So, for as much as we have heard that gelato is the Italian equivalent of ice cream, this "gelato" is really a frozen mousse
    In Italian, the word "gelato" means "frozen" more than it means "ice cream." So, for as much as we have heard that gelato is the Italian equivalent of ice cream, this "gelato" is really a frozen mousse of a dessert. Quick and easy, with no ice cream maker needed, this dessert may be served as a chilled mousse or frozen completely as a "gelato."

  • Friday, May 10 2013 3:36 PM EDT2013-05-10 19:36:28 GMT
    Celebrate warm weather with nature's sweet berries. Simply served with a light dusting of powdered sugar, this dessert is not a sugar overload, because it relies on the natural sweetness of in-season berries.
    Celebrate warm weather with nature's sweet berries. Simply served with a light dusting of powdered sugar, this dessert is not a sugar overload, because it relies on the natural sweetness of in-season berries.

  • Friday, May 3 2013 4:20 PM EDT2013-05-03 20:20:03 GMT
    Here is smoky and slightly spicy twist on fried catfish. Instead of coating the catfish in a thick beer batter, I marinate the raw pieces in beer before seasoning them and lightly dredging them in flour
    Here is smoky and slightly spicy twist on fried catfish. Instead of coating the catfish in a thick beer batter, I marinate the raw pieces in beer before seasoning them and lightly dredging them in flour
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