Going Out for a Picnic with Your Toddler One of the nicest things about having small children in the house is getting out of it. Young children are simply fascinated by the world around them – from shopping centres to the large dog that licks their face in the park. When your children are especially small, heading out to the local park or the edge of a nearby forest for a picnic is one of the most enjoyable activities you can have. After all, it combines eating and playing outdoors, and you can invite whatever company you prefer. But, before you grab your picnic basket (or your cooler box), here are a few things you may want to consider before going out for a picnic with your toddler. First Things First Although you and your partner may have enjoyed hundreds of impromptu picnics in the past, times have changed for both of you. Having a picnic with a toddler is almost as easy, but you do need to prepare a few additional things before heading out the door.

Choose a Location – Everything depends on where you end up picnicking. What you pack, and what you leave at home are entirely dependent on the location you choose. If, for example, you choose a lovely park nearby, you may want to consider packing a portable play area; though this is one item that just isn’t safe on the seas shore. And although location may seem to have nothing to do with food, it truly does. Some foods just should not be eaten or served from the ground, though they may work from a picnic table.

See What You Have to Hand – There is no point in running out for a head of lettuce when you have plenty of greens in the fridge. The same rule applies to everything at a picnic. You may be tempted to pop off and pick up smaller, individually packaged items from the store, but part of the beauty of a picnic is opening and using that half finished jar of mustard, simply because it is the only condiment you have along. Plan your menu around these items first.

What Is There to Do? - Here is where your toddler steps into the picture. What is there for her to do besides sit on the ground and eat? And, what will she be allowed to experience? Just because there is a small pond nearby, it does not mean you should show it off if your toddler cannot get close to it. Same for a playground, if it is normally swarming with big kids. But, you should not give up on a location simply because it does not have any activities, it is just that you need to plan around it.

Who Can You Invite? – You may be tempted to round up just your family and head out on your own, but you may want to consider making a few calls first. Picnics are one of those inexpensive activities that most people enjoy; they are also an easy way

for your friends to spend time with your baby without too much pressure. After all, although a few may have popped round to meet him, it is often difficult for everyone to feel comfortable at your home during the first few months.

And Then There’s the Food... Picnics are mostly about the food. Otherwise, you would just invite people out to lounge about in the park for awhile. (And that is perfectly acceptable too.) Although a handful of grapes, some salami and a few day-old rolls would have been enough in the past, this may not be the best picnic for your toddler at the moment.

Kid Food – Depending on the age of your toddler, you may want to consider planning the main meal around her. After all, if she is going to get her hands into everything anyway, why not make it food that she will enjoy? Of course, this does not mean that everything needs to be kid friendly, but your baby will love to have some of what everyone else is having. Still, this is totally age dependent, your six month old is unlikely to make as much of a fuss as your two year old would do. Pack stronger flavours, or more advanced foods in a separate container so that your toddler can feel like he is at the centre of all the action.

Food Storage and Transport – This is the key to any picnic. You may feel a romantic attachment to the old picnic basket you have out in the shed, but this is not always the best option. For example, wicker baskets are terrible for beach picnics, and there is little need for a cooler box when you picnic in October. You should also consider how much work you have to do when you return from your outing; this may lead you towards packing paper napkins or cloth ones more than anything. The idea is to make everything work to your advantage, from not schlepping too much stuff up a hill with your baby, to saving money if that is your priority.

What to Do at a Picnic with Your Toddler You may have preconceived visions of your perfect family picnic, but remember that your child never ceases to amaze you. Have plenty of items on hand to help make your baby as comfortable as possible. This includes favourite blankets as well as portable play areas. It also includes the right gear for them to explore the area, which will likely hold their attention much longer than anything else you bring. And, do not forget, if this is your child’s first picnic, you will want to sit back and enjoy it as much as you can. This does mean letting some things slide, from the temperature of the cheese to the number of bugs in the area. Just relax and allow yourself to have a lovely day; you will soon find that your toddler is bound to do the same thing. For more fun ideas about what you can do with your toddler please visit the Lindam blog - http://www.lindam.com/child-safety-news/