Picnics are such a fun way to socialize in the sunshine. We’ve rustled up some yummy picnic food ideas, and fabulous outdoor party games.

Delicious and Easy Picnic Party Foods

Sandwiches can be boring
, so why not try something new for your picnic. Here are three sensational recipes to try, all brilliant for little fingers to manage!

1. Antipasto skewers – a snack on a stick!

Simply layer your favorite antipasto foods, like cheese slices, mozzarella balls, plum tomatoes and olives, onto wooden skewers (cut sharp ends off for safety). You can make fruity skewers for dessert too.

Toadstool Plates, Daisy Plates and Cherry Cups

 

2. Pinwheels.

A delightful tortilla treat – children will love the whirl of colors! Pack in lots of different fillings, like deli ham or turkey, pepperoni, grated cheese, roasted red peppers, lettuce and creamy mixtures like cream cheese, guacamole and hummus. First, spread a creamy mixture thinly all over the tortilla. Then place other ingredients in even layers (don’t overdo it, or it’ll be hard to roll the tortilla up). Finish with lettuce or salad leaves, roll the tortilla up tightly) and put in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Transport to your picnic whole, then cut into 1inch slices to serve. Each tortilla should make around eight pinwheels. For a change, you can also make your pinwheels from dough or puff pastry. Roll your dough or puff pastry flat, cover with toppings that bake well (like a mix of spinach and cheese), roll it up, cut into 1-inch slices, and bake on a greased baking tray until cooked.

3. Raspberry tart.

This tasty tart, by British food writer Nigel Slater, is simple to make and looks and tastes amazing! You can slice it up before your picnic, to simply present everyone with a piece. It serves eight.

Ingredients:

1 frozen puff pastry sheet
2 cups heavy cream
2 tbsp sugar
1 cup raspberries

Make:

  • Preheat the oven to 200C. Unfold the puff pastry on a parchment-lined baking pan. With a knife, score a ¾ inch border around the pastry. Transfer to the oven and bake until puffed and golden, about 15 minutes.
  • Using parchment, transfer the pastry to a wire rack to cool.
  • In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium speed, beat the cream and sugar together until stiff peaks form. Spread the whipped cream on the pastry in an even layer, up to the scored border. Dot with the raspberries.  

For extra effect, serve your picnic food on eye-catching paper plates. We’ve got a huge choice of fabulous colors and designs, including those influenced by the great outdoors like our gorgeous flower-shaped plates and toadstool plates.

Ditch plastic cutlery for more eco-friendly wooden cutlery. Click here to see our colorful range.

Outdoor party games everyone will love

There’s something about the outdoors that makes everyone feel more adventurous and energetic – so tap into picnic positivity and have a great time! Here are three games people of all ages can enjoy.

1. Don’t drop the ball

Divide your group into at least two teams, with an even number of people on each. You’ll need a ball (big, soft balls are better for little people) and a timer. Position a team close together so they can toss the ball to each other for a minute without stopping. The other team/s get an opportunity, after 30 seconds are up, to declare a challenge to make things more tricky – like jumping up and down or spinning in a circle, whilst still trying to catch the ball. If the team drops the ball at any time, they get no points. If they manage the full minute without dropping the ball, they get 10 points. It’s then the next teams chance to throw the ball for a minute – with the other team/s giving a challenge at the 30-second mark. To decide a winner give each team five or more turns to see who gets the most points.

2. Nature scavenger hunt

Divide your group into teams (with an adult or older child in each to help the younger ones) and give each a list of nature items that can easily be found outdoors. For example, a fallen leaf, a round pebble, a feather, etc. Give a time limit and the first group back with all the items is the winner.

3Beach ball pass and quiz.

Write some easy trivia questions, that people of all ages can answer. Take a beach ball with you too. To play this game, stand in a circle, and toss the beach ball around as quickly as you can. Whoever drops the ball first, or catches it when a timer runs out, has to answer a question. If they get it right, they get to stay in the circle. If they get it wrong, they need to step out and take a break. Continue until one person is left.  

To make everyone even happier, why not have some prizes for the winners and some smaller gifts for the others? Or picnic party bags for all? Good choices are funky gifts like hair accessories, sticker sets or little bags of candy.