How to Picnic with Kids Without Losing Your Mind?

petiotes
Jun 6
4 min read

two kids having a picnic on a bue floral print picnic blanket from petiotes in a sunny day near the sea

Spring is now in full swing.

The coats are off, the sandals are on, and that familiar question is already echoing: “Can we go outside now?”

Yes — and there’s no better way to say yes than with a picnic.

Not the Instagram-perfect, matching-tableware kind. Just a simple, joyful, messy little adventure — with snacks, sunlight, and a soft place to land. But we all know: sunshine doesn’t guarantee success. Someone will drop the crisps, sit in the hummus, or declare “I’m bored” before you’ve even found the blanket.

Here’s the good news: with a bit of prep and a few playful tricks, you can keep things easy, happy and low-stress. And with International Picnic Day coming up on June 18, it’s the perfect time to put it all into action.

1. Turn Prep Time Into Playtime

Making a picnic while the kids hover? Stress. Let them join in — and stay busy — with a few clever prep ideas:

Let them pack their own bentos: Use boxes with compartments and let them fill their own. Modern options we love: Monbento MB Tresor or Fortnum & Mason Sandwich Bag.
Cut sandwiches into shapes: Use cookie cutters to turn lunch into stars, hearts or dinosaurs. Need inspiration? Here’s a roundup of fun sandwich ideas.
Play the “picnic rainbow challenge”: Ask your kids to include one food in every colour. Red strawberries, green grapes, yellow cheese, orange carrots… and crisps? That’s beige. Beige totally counts. Get some ideas here.

Pro tip: Freeze juice boxes or grapes the night before — they double as cool packs and sweet snacks.

2. Choose Your Picnic Spot Like a Kids Strategist

You don’t need rolling hills or an enchanted forest. Just choose smart:

A good mix of sun and shade
Flat ground (blanket-stable sandwiches are no joke)
A bit of background fun — a duck pond, splash area, woodland trail
And yes: toilets. (Or a portable potty. Trust us.)

Great picnic spots with kid-friendly vibes:

Regent’s Park (London) – fountains, playgrounds, ducks
Roundhay Park (Leeds) – wide open space + butterfly house
Alexandra Park (Manchester) – grassy fields, nature trails
Battersea Park (London) – boating lake, zoo, perfect picnicking zones

🌸 If there’s water nearby, pack mini water pistols — they fit in your pocket and cause maximum joy with minimum gear.

3. Bring a Blanket That Does More Than Sit Pretty

Let’s talk basecamp.

Your blanket is the heart of the picnic.

🌸 Our Petiotes Colouring Picnic Blanket is a screen-free, boredom-busting gem. Kids colour straight onto the floral doodles using washable pens (included). When they’re done? You pop it in the wash and it’s ready for next time. → Check it out here

🌸 Prefer a classic? Our printed picnic blankets are large, soft, waterproof-lined, and super practical. And the best part? They don’t cling to grass, dusty leaves or rogue twigs. Just shake, fold, and you’re off. No souvenirs. No sweep-ups.

4. Set Up Mini Play Zones (Without Carrying Half Your House)

You’re not moving in.

Just pack smart.

Think: mini festival.

🌸 Movement corner

A kite (we love this lightweight models from Decathlon)
One ball = endless games
Foldable cones or even rolled-up socks for obstacle courses

🌸 Creative spot

Already bringing our small-size colouring blanket? You’re sorted. Lightweight, foldable, and comes with its own washable pens. Perfect for solo quiet time or shared doodling. Use fruit or toy cars as paperweights in case of wind!

🌸 Quiet corner

Plastic UNO cards (yes, waterproof versions exist – just search here)
Or try “cloud bingo”: Who sees the dragon? The whale? The elephant in the sky?

5. Celebrate Your Time Too

You’ve packed everything for everyone else — don’t forget yourself.

Bring your favourite coffee (in a flask, iced or not)
A book (you may or may not open it — that’s not the point)
A fan, sunglasses, or a comfy wrap — whatever makes you feel good

The ideal picnic rhythm?

Eat. Play. Chill. Repeat.

And right in the middle of it all: your blanket.

A soft, safe spot for both chaos and calm.

6. Mark Your Calendars: International Picnic Day = June 18

Need an excuse to make this happen? June 18 is International Picnic Day.

Yes, it’s a Wednesday this year (2025). But that’s no reason not to celebrate. Host a post-school snack picnic in your garden. Plan ahead for a sunny weekend. Or take your lunch outdoors and call it a win.

And we’ve got a little something to help you celebrate: we’re launching a mini giveaway — your chance to win a Petiotes picnic blanket and join the fun.

🌸 Follow us on Instagram @petiotes to catch the countdown and take part.