Pack the Ultimate Picnic (a kid-friendly snack board)

I’ll show you how to pack the ultimate picnic! An easy summer snack board spread that is portable, delicious, and kid-friendly!

PIN THIS POST FOR LATER

kid friendly summer cheese board overhead

We are more than halfway through summer and I’m in denial, you guys.

I feel like there haven’t been enough play dates, splash park runs, beach days, ice cream cones, and picnics.

Then again, I’m pretty sure I always feel this way once August hits. Like I haven’t taken full advantage of the sunshine and an open schedule.

Luckily for me, there’s still time.

I swear, my kids eat so much better when we picnic than when I try to get them to sit at a table. The summer sun makes them a little stir crazy, and I have to say I don’t blame them.

It helps that their favorite meal is when we just put a bunch of random things — fruits, veggies, cheese, etc. — on a plate and snack. And I love that it takes me little time to prep, zero cook time, and they’re loading up on food that is actually good for them (without a fight!).

When we’re getting fancy, I like to make a kid-friendly snack board with Arla Snack Cheese Bars plus whatever fruits, veggies, crackers, nuts, meats we have in the fridge.

It’s an easy way to enjoy good foods with simple ingredients, breathe in some summer air and let the stress of a busy day melt away. Instead of spending half an hour slaving over the stove (who wants to do that in the summer anyway?!?), we’re spending our extra time together, and I’ll have fewer dishes to wash after they head to bed ?

cheese board for kids picnic style

Since we are big picnic lovers (big, big lovers), I’m going to share my tips for creating the ultimate picnic.

Picnic essentials:

A good picnic blanket. My Grandma made me a denim picnic blanket that I will cherish forever and we use it all the time. If you’re lucky enough to own one, awesome! (If not, check second hand stores or make your own!). Otherwise, a good thick blanket will do — you don’t want it too thin or you’ll feel every rock and stick and piece of grass through.
A vessel. I have a small not-super-stylish cooler bag that is super functional. It gets hot here in the summer, and you want something that will keep your food cool so it doesn’t spoil. If you’re staying closer to home, feel free to get a little fancier. Lay the food out on a nice board, get some sparkling apple juice and enjoy a relaxed summer dinner al fresco!
Plates (hold the utensils, please and thanks). Obviously, what you’ll need will depend on what you’re serving, but I try to pick strictly finger foods and avoid utensils. Eating food on plates with utensils while you have young children sitting on the ground is just kind of tricky. If you’re having a grown-up picnic with people who can wield utensils while they’re not seated at a table, feel free to pack some.

how to pack a picnic

Tips for packing a picnic on the fly:

After grocery shopping, wash and slice your fruit and vegetables so they’re ready to grab and go when the urge hits.
Keep Arla Snack Cheese Bars on hand — they last quite a while in the fridge so they’re perfect for stocking ahead!
Keep a selection of crackers, spreads, dips and drinks on hand to mix and match and let the kids add some to the day’s spread.

Pick a picnic location:

Depending on the temperature, whether you want sun or shade will vary. If it’s cool, the sun will feel nice. If it’s hot, avoid the sunburns and go for the shade. A tree, an umbrella, a picnic shelter — any will do.
Try a new location! Go to a new town, a new park or pack up a picnic and camp out on the lawn (or a friend’s lawn!) The portability is one of the best things about a picnic ?