Summer vacation...the kids can't wait for it to start---and parents dread its arrival. The first couple of weeks seem to take care of themselves, but after that, you may be faced with your kids looking at you with that "What can we do now, Mom?" look on their faces. At that first look, be ready: go on a picnic!

Picnics are easy---and you don't even have to go anywhere! A couple of beach towels thrown down on the grass in the backyard is as far as you have to go. Of course, if there is a local park handy, you can load up a couple of bike baskets and take your picnic there. You can be a little bolder, and pack up the kids in the morning and set out for a half-day road adventure and go find someplace to picnic. No matter where you decide to picnic, make it fun, make it an adventure---and your kids will look forward to doing it again...and again!

Keep Quick Picnic-Ready Snacks on Hand

You don't have to preplan a picnic lunch, and you don't have to make a special trip to the market if you keep a few of these things on hand:

• Peanut Butter and Jelly (the "old standby")
• Pre-packaged lunch meats and cheeses (if left sealed, a package can sit in your frig for a week or more before you'll need to use it)
• A package of hot dog buns in the freezer (they thaw out quickly and make easy-to-hold sandwiches)
• Single-serving-sized fruit cups, applesauce, pudding (I keep several in the frig, chilled and ready to go)
• Individual-sized bags/containers of chips, crackers, and cookies (keep a few hidden from the kids so that you always have a couple to throw in the picnic bag)
• 1-liter bottles of water and packets of drink mix like Kool-Aid or Crystal Lite
• Small bottles/jars of mustard, mayo, catsup, and relish (whatever you normally put on a sandwich)

This list just gets you started. Based on what you know your kids like and are willing to eat (without a fuss), you can also keep cans of tuna or chicken, containers of yogurt, blocks of cheese (for cheese and crackers), fresh fruits, granola bars, etc. Next time you are in the market, take a moment to look at shelf items and think about how/whether those items could serve as the basis for an easy picnic lunch (or even breakfast or dinner!). Think creatively! "Lunch" could be chocolate frosting smeared on graham crackers---it doesn't necessarily have to be a nutritious meal, just a fun meal! (My mom's favorite "surprise" picnic lunch was strawberry shortcake, and lots of it---although I do recognize that it took a little planning on her part.)

For your convenience, you can print this short list of items to take with you when you go to the market the next time. Be sure to add to it anything that you know your kids will enjoy eating. This list will open in a separate window as a Word document. Save it to your computer so that you can add or delete items as you prefer. Print this list at: http://www.jansfreecontent.com/Picnic_Shopping_List.doc. (This list opens in a new window for your convenience.)

If you have the time to plan a picnic and want to try something new, check out the free printable recipe for Sandwich Spread (a bologna-based deli-spread that goes great on bread, rolls, or crackers, which was a summer staple in our house) at http://www.jansdough.com/Poppo/Spread.htm. (The recipe opens in a new window for your convenience.)

Have the Picnic Basics Ready

Regardless of what you're going to throw together for lunch, you're probably going to need a few picnic basics. If you have a picnic bag packed and ready to go, then actually going on a picnic, even if only as far as the backyard, means that all you have to do is pack the food.

In a sturdy canvas bag, plastic milk crate, or actual picnic basket, keep items such as the following supplies on hand:

• Paper plates and bowls, plastic utensils
• Napkins (or a roll of paper towels)
• Pre-moistened towelettes (wet wipes)
• Sharp knife, pair of scissors, can opener, bottle opener
• Salt and pepper
• Disposable towels (Handi-Wipes are great!)
• Sunscreen and bug spray
• Pencil and paper
• Travel-sized games, deck of cards, etc.

Items like paper plates and plastic utensils are self-explanatory, but the paper and pencil might just be the handiest thing you pack. As you go on your first few picnics, make a note of anything that you wished you'd had/meant to pack. You can accumulate items as you go. Do yourself a favor and buy the items specifically to leave in the picnic bag (and get accustomed to putting them right back into the picnic bag after you wash them).

You can also develop a short checklist of things that you need to remember to pack. Print the list and keep handy (this is especially helpful when you have to remember to get items out of the frig, or take medications, etc.). That way, if you are packing in a hurry for a spontaneous "Let's go on a picnic, Mom!" day, you can grab the list and use it to help you remember to pack the needed items.

For your convenience, you can print the short list of items shown above to start putting together your permanent picnic bag/basket. This list will open in a separate window as a Word document. Save it to your computer (and make a note of what disk it is on or what folder it is in so that you can easily retrieve it). By doing so you can add or delete items as you prefer. Print this list at: http://www.jansfreecontent.com/Picnic_Basket_List.doc.

You should also keep a "picnic blanket" handy (or leave it in the trunk or storage area of your vehicle). You can use an old blanket, a couple of beach towels, or my preferred picnic spread: an old mattress pad! I trimmed away the gauzy material and elastic that holds the pad to the mattress and left the nicely quilted pad itself. Another idea is to go to a place where you can rent moving trucks and buy a furniture pad/blanket---this makes a great picnic or beach blanket. Using either the mattress pad or the furniture pad also makes it easier to shake out sand and brush off dirt. Both hold up well to multiple washings.

For more ideas about items to pack before you head out for the day or weekend, please go to: http://www.jansfreecontent.com/publish/jans_tips/What_to_Pack.shtml

Plan Picnic Activities

There's nothing wrong with just tossing a few snacks in a bag and heading out to the backyard just to have lunch! Everything tastes better when you eat it outside. However, you can make your impromptu picnic more enjoyable (and even educational) if you plan a few picnic activities. Why not keep your kids amused with Picnic Bingo? Get instructions for Picnic Bingo and free printable Picnic Bingo cards in "Plan a Picnic Activity: Picnic Bingo" at: http://www.jansfreecontent.com/publish/family/Picnic_Bingo.shtml.

Plan a "Shoestring Adventure"

If you'll have the time to plan ahead and go on a one-day road adventure, in search of a picnic spot, then you might enjoy "The Anatomy of a Shoestring Adventure." Go to: http://www.jansfreecontent.com/publish/general/Shoestring_Adventure.shtml. This article will give you great tips and suggestions for getting the kids involved in planning a family-budget-friendly one-day away-from-home adventure!

Have fun this summer---get outside and enjoy spending a little time with your kids!

Jan K., The Proofer is a freelance copyeditor and proofreader. Visit Jan’s Portal (http://www.jansportal.com) for more information about Jan's free crafts, recipes, tutorials, other resource sites, and free content articles, as well as Jan’s business services. Be sure to visit Mom's Break (http://www.momsbreak.com/) for free printable crafts and projects. © Copyright 2005 to present. All rights reserved.