Everything tastes better outside
- Everything tastes better outside.
- Supplement vitamin D naturally by picnicking in the sun.
- Entertain without cleaning your house—before and after the party!
- Cheap romantic date.
- Unlike some restaurants, no dress codes.
- Pick your own view and your own distractions.
- Unplug from technology.
- Play yard games before, during, or after your meal.
- Being outdoors is a natural stress reliever.
- 10 Tips to a Perfect Picnic
- Picnicking in parks is a Minnesota tradition. Here are ten tips to help you pull off the perfect picnic, whether it's your first or you are an old pro!
- Where do you want to go? A formal state park picnic area with picnic tables, or a quiet spot on the beach? Shady spot under the trees, or scenic overlook? Your location will drive what you pack and how you carry it.
- Most state parks have picnic tables, but it can be nice to pack a blanket and just sit on the ground. Choose a blanket that rolls up easily and is water resistant, that you don't mind getting dirty. Or sit in style and pack your own lawn chair!
- A picnic doesn't have to be fancy. Crackers, cheese and fresh vegetables are a simple snack that you can enjoy on the go.
- Pack that picnic right! Always pack food—especially sandwiches—in hard reusable containers so your food doesn't squish. If you are packing your picnic in a bag or backpack, try putting a light cutting board between stacks of containers. This will create a shelf in your bag and keep your picnic from falling over and getting messy.
- Put aside a set of spoons, knives and forks for picnicking. Wrap them in a cloth napkin with a rubber band and you'll never have to eat with your fingers again!
- Freeze your drinks and use them to keep your food cool. Nothing ruins a picnic faster than food that has gone bad. As the day warms up your ice packs will thaw into refreshing cold drinks.
- While digging in the dirt for bugs can be fun, eating them is not. Pack a travel-sized hand sanitizer to clean up with before you eat, or pack wet wipes for a quick clean-up and an extra plastic bag to carry out any garbage.
- Don't forget about Fido! If your four-legged friend is coming along, make sure to bring an empty container and water so he is well hydrated too. A dog bone treat will keep your friend busy while you enjoy your picnic.
- Bringing children? Make your picnic family time by bringing a few easy games like penny toss (toss pennies into a container) or Frisbee.
- Invite your neighbors! A picnic is a perfect excuse to sit down and catch up with a friend under a blue summer sky. Afterwards, go for a hike or enjoy a swim. Who knows, maybe you'll create new tradition or lasting memories.
Picnic tips by Kelsey Olson, Interpretive Naturalist.
- 10 Great Places for a Picnic
- It's a beautiful day and you are looking to spend some quality time in nature. Does a day full of activity sound appealing or would a more relaxing experience fit the bill? One thing is for certain, you're going to get hungry. Use this list to match your activity level with an ideal picnic spot along the way.
On the Go...
Planning an active day, but want a relaxing picnic along the way? These are for you. On a Hike Few activities in Minnesota offer a wider variety of scenery than hiking. Hiking is a wonderful way to spend time at a beautiful backcountry vista. You've invested the time to hike to it, what's the rush? Spend a little extra time and savor the experience while enjoying a picnic.- Metro: Afton State Park
- Greater Minnesota: La Salle Lake State Recreation Area, Whitewater State Park, Camden State Park
- Metro: Gateway State Trail
- Greater Minnesota: Paul Bunyan, Gitchi Gami, Root River, Sakatah Singing Hills State Trails
- Metro: Wild River State Park
- Greater Minnesota: Lake Bemidji, Jay Cooke, Flandrau State Parks
Take it Slow...
Not in a rush? Just want to relax and soak it in? These will fit the bill. In the Grass Color explodes onto the scene with great diversity as flowers sway in the breeze, birds chirp, and butterflies flutter to and fro. Sound amazing? Few places can provide the varied beauty of the prairie. This is a wonderful place to explore while enjoying a picnic.- Metro: William O'Brien State Park
- Greater Minnesota: Glacial Lakes, Great River Bluffs, Myre-Big Island State Parks
- Metro: Rocky bluffs along the St. Croix River at Interstate State Park, bluffs along the Mississippi River at Frontenac State Park
- Greater Minnesota: Shovel Point at Tettegouche State Park; Quarry Overlook at Blue Mounds State Park
- Metro: William O'Brien State Park
- Greater Minnesota: Buffalo River State Park,
- Metro: Fort Snelling State Park
- Greater Minnesota: Glendalough, Forestville/Mystery Cave, Fort Ridgely State Parks
- Nerstrand State Park
- Metro: Nerstrand State Park
- Greater Minnesota: Maplewood, Cascade River, Myre-Big Island State Parks
Not Sure?
Can't decide if you want an active day or just to relax? Consider these. On the Beach Beat the heat by heading to the beach. The sun, refreshing water, and a spread of tasty treats create the perfect picnic atmosphere. Most beaches have dedicated picnic areas nearby where you can grill, plug in a crockpot and enjoy a bonfire.- Metro: Fort Snelling State Park
- Greater Minnesota: Zippel Bay, Father Hennepin, Sibley State Parks
- Metro: Fort Snelling State Park
- Greater Minnesota: Schoolcraft Island at Itasca State Park, Cannon River State Water Trail, Lake Shetek State Park
Picnic tips by Jeremy Darst, Interpretive Naturalist.
- Games to Play on Your Picnic
- "Mom, I'm booored! Can I watch a movie?" This is NOT what you want to hear on a family picnic or camping trip. You know what else you don't want? A bunch of work making elaborate plans and props for team-building exercises. So what are we to do with our fickle kids and their short attention spans? Try out these ideas for fun and easy outdoor games.
Bobbing for Doughnuts
This combines two activities that are high priorities for kids: eating and playing. It's also a blast to watch.- Laundry line (you've got to hang those wet beach towels anyway!)
- String (never leave home without it!)
- Donuts (the kind with holes.)
Picnic Blanket Checkers
It goes without saying that you love picnics. Fresh air, tasty food and quality time with the family is a recipe for happy summer memories. But let's say you have some down time, maybe while the brats are grilling. What to do? Play checkers, of course!- Checkered blanket or tablecloth
- 12 Stones (or whatever)
- 12 Pine Cones (or whatever)
Glow in the Dark Bowling
- 10 Plastic Drink Bottles
- 10 Glow Sticks
- 1 Bowling Ball (whatever ball you have)
Picnic tips by Megan Johnsen, Interpretive Naturalist.
- Campfire Cooking
- Feeling a little ambitious? Why not cook a hot meal over a cheery campfire? Choose one of three ways to cook over a fire that will satisfy your taste buds!
Campfire Cooking Safety Tips
- Always build the smallest campfire, building just what you need.
- Fire is hot! Please be careful when putting in, moving, stirring, or taking out food from a campfire.
- Cook over the coals, not the direct flame. Food can burn quickly over the direct flame.
- Put your fire completely out when done.
Aluminum foil is a Camp Cook's best friend! Use heavy duty foil or double the sheets when cooking over a fire.Fantastic Foil Meatloaf Dinner
- 1 1/2 lb. ground beef
- 1 pkg. onion soup mix
- 1 egg, 3/4 cup bread crumbs
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- Approx. 3 cups potatoes (frozen potatoes that has now thawed in your cooler work well)
- Approx. 3 cups veggies (try peas and corn), cut into small 1/2 inch pieces for faster cooking,
- Salt and pepper
Brownie Orangelicious
Oranges, brownie mix Cut orange in half. If it won't sit flat on the table, shave off bottom until it does. Scoop out the orange pulp inside, and eat the orange pulp! Take two sheets of aluminum foil and wrap around orange, leaving the top open. Mix brownie mix according to directions. Look for the kind where you just add water. Fill two-thirds of the orange up with prepared brownie mix. Place on top of coals on grill or next to coals in campfire. Bake 20 minutes or until middle is done. Yum!Belly-Busting Banana Boats
Bananas, chocolate chips, marshmallows Do not take peel off of the banana. Make two rectangular slits in top of the banana. Then cut one end and peel back, making a flap. Scoop out banana just below the flap and eat it. Put chocolate chips and marshmallows into the rectangular hole. Fold flap back over the banana. Wrap in foil and set near warm coals for 5 minutes. Pull off of coals and let cool. Caution, Banana Boats will be hot! Unwrap aluminum foil and enjoy the chocolate, banana gooey goodness!
Pie Irons are a Camp Cook's tool for fabulous stuffed sandwiches and desserts, especially pies!Pie Iron Pizza Pocket
- Refrigerated pizza dough
- Canned pizza sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Toppings such as precooked sausage or bacon, pepperoni, veggies chopped into small pieces to cook faster
- Butter
Pudgie Pies
Bread, butter, pie filling (try cherry, apple, or peach) or use any type of filling Heat your pie iron over a coal bed until hot. Take two pieces of bread, buttering the outside, much like a grilled cheese sandwich. Place one piece of bread buttered-side down on the iron. Spread your fillings on the bread without getting too close to the edges. WARNING: Overfilling the pie iron will not allow your edges to seal and there will be a big mess! Place the second piece of bread on top of the filling, butter side up. Close the iron and cut any crusts off that stick out. Place the iron back into the coal bed and cook on both sides until medium brown.
Roasting stick: Nothing says camp cooking more than roasting a marshmallow over the fire with old faithful, the roasting stick. Please do not cut any live tree to make your roasting stick.Eggs on a Stick
Large orange, egg, salt and pepper Cut a large orange in half and scrape out the fruit from both pieces. With a sharp knife, cut a small "X" on one orange half about 1/4 inch below the rim. Cut another "X" just below the opposite rim. Thread a roasting stick through the cuts so that the orange half hangs like a basket. While someone holds the half peel steady, crack a small egg into it. Grasp the end of the stick and hold the orange shell over low flames or embers of a campfire for about 10 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes and remove the orange from the stick. Add salt and pepper and enjoy your egg!Recipe from the Egg Farmers of Alberta.
Mummified Hotdogs
Hotdogs, American cheese slices, refrigerated biscuit dough Spear hotdog onto roasting stick length-wise on stick. Roll biscuit dough into a long rope-like structure. Wrap cheese around hotdog and secure with biscuit rope, pinching together at top and bottom so it stays on the hot dog and secures the cheese. Cook over indirect heat until hotdog is done, cheese is melted, and biscuit is golden-brown.Mallowy Goodness
Marshmallows, caramels **No flaming mallows! (Unless you like charred marshmallows) When roasting your marshmallow, if your mallow catches fire, do not wave the marshmallow to put the flame out! No one wants to get hit with flying, flaming mallow! If it catches on fire, slowly move the mallow away from the fire and blow the flame out. If you want a really awesome treat, put a caramel candy on the roasting stick above your marshmallow. When the marshmallow is golden brown and the caramel is soft, slide the marshmallow up and over the caramel. Slide them both off together for a fabulous marshmallow treat!Picnic tips by Diane Hedin, Interpretive Naturalist.
- Picnicking by Bike or Kayak
- I can't think of a better use of a Saturday than a leisure bike ride coupled with a picnic break at the lakeside. While a car picnic allows you to bring everything including the kitchen sink, on a bike picnic you want to go lean and light. Plan to keep the food simple and the utensils few, but still not leave out any essentials and have no waste.
The essentials:
- Small to medium backpack, handle bar basket or saddle bags.
- Spork; this is a spoon, fork and knife combination.
- Small reusable cup with lid; this cup is the perfect place to store a hardboiled egg.
- 3-5 sturdy tight sealing storage containers filled with snack crackers, sliced cured meats, cubed fruit, cheese slices and a homemade oatmeal fruit bar. Size the containers to be easily stacked in your pack or basket. Containers work better than zip plastic bags which will allow the food to be smashed. If you need to keep some of the food cool a soft-sided insulated pack with frozen. If chosen properly the empty storage containers can be nested to decrease the bulk after the picnic.
- Damp washcloths in zip bag to clean sticky hands.
- Light thin table cloth or space blanket.
- Sturdy tight screw sealing bottle for water, tea or fruit drinks. If it’s cool a thermos for hot coffee or chocolate.
- Small first aid kit.
- With a simple picnic and these few tips, you can spend your day outside on your bike and resting in the sun.
Picnic tips by John Fylpaa, Interpretive Naturalist.
- Planning a Winter Picnic
- Add special flair to your winter outdoor adventure by packing an energized picnic feast to fuel your family fun in the snow. Foods won't spoil, so the sky's the limit when it comes to creative snacks and meals that provide high energy for hard play. And remember—yard games aren't just for summer! Consider playing active, running games to warm up chilly children (and adults).
Food
- Pre-made sandwiches
Use a panini iron, indoor electric grill or fry pan at home to make pre-grilled sandwiches such as grilled cheese—or use a variety of salamis, cold cuts, cheeses and vegetables to create a delicious high energy meal. Individually wrap each sandwich in foil or plastic bags. - Ice cream
For a calorie-rich ski break or picnic dessert, surprise your family and friends with the sheer absurdity of a pint of gourmet ice cream. Go ahead—it's winter, it won't melt! Serve it by slicing both the ice cream and the cardboard container with a knife just before you serve it. The carton sections make nice little bowls for each serving. Don't forget to pack some plastic spoons. - Soups
Hot soup is a terrific way to warm tummies on a cold day. There are lots of sizes and styles of wide-mouthed, insulated Thermoses that will keep soup warm for hours. Combine a pre-grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup or a squash red pepper soup for a hot, savory treat—or make your soup on site by combining instant soup packages with hot water heated over a lightweight backpacking stove or campfire. - Campfire kebabs
At home, marinate one-inch square pieces of venison, beef, pork or chicken to thread onto a roasting stick at your picnic. Add your favorite veggies! Vegetarians, try roasting chunks of marinated tempeh over an open fire—it's amazing!
Hydration
It's easy to forget to drink enough water in the winter, but cold winter air is desert-dry and winter activities can dehydrate you quickly. Hydrate often with warm beverages such as cocoa, hot cider, tea or coffee. Alcoholic beverages are not recommended...that old image of a Swiss Saint Bernard with a cask of brandy around its neck is romantic, but not very helpful.Comfort
Recreating in winter doesn't mean you have to be cold! Dress for the weather and your activity level, and plan ahead for a few creature comforts that will help keep your picnickers warm and happy.- Regardless of how warmly you are dressed, sitting directly on snow or frozen picnic benches will quickly cool you from the bottom up. A couple of camping pads or wool blankets will prevent your posterior from conducting your heat away from you. (Many Scandinavians keep reindeer or fluffy sheep hides around just for this purpose!)
- If you have time to get fancy, construct comfortable snow benches and a table at your planned picnic site, and then class up your snow table with a checkered tablecloth. It's like building a snow fort without the mock battle.
- Get people moving with active games such as tag or snowshoe races to keep the blood circulating.
Transportation
Winter travel can be a breeze—you don't even need a backpack! Just strap your picnic and extra layers onto a sled. Even a cheap little plastic boat sled will work fine to haul your goods through the woods. Put your kids to work pulling the sled! Even a growing child can haul a lot more stuff on a sled than an adult could comfortably carry in a backpack. A sled is also a great way to get a tired little skier home at the end of the day—just wrap them up in a nest of those wool blankets you packed, and start for home.Picnic tips by Kurt Mead, Interpretive Naturalist.
- Pre-made sandwiches