Most people DON’T want bugs at their picnic, however, I’m about to throw a picnic theme idea your way which will bring a whole new meaning to ants in your picnic basket!
If you are planning a picnic that will include children (especially boys) why not consider a bug theme! Yucky….maybe to you…but most kids I know LOVE bugs!
A bug picnic is easy to plan and can be very inexpensive. No need for fancy frills at this buggy event! Of course, you will need to bring all of the basic picnic supplies such as plates, cups, napkins, utensils, refreshments and dare I say….bug spray! If you plan on using a picnic table then a red and white checkered, plastic tablecloth is perfect! If children are the main guests at your bug picnic then it is a good idea to keep the menu simple. Peanut butter and jam sandwiches, assorted chips and bug juice are sure to please. If you feel like being creative, use cookie cutters to shape your sandwiches into bugs. For dessert, yummy cupcakes decorated with assorted bugs (plastic, of course) will delight the young and old alike. I made bug cupcakes for my Nephew’s bug birthday party and they were a huge hit (see picture). Another great idea is to give each person a baggy full of gummy worms. Not only are they perfect for your buggy event, kids LOVE them!
No bug picnic would be complete without a bug hunt. If you don’t want the kids at your picnic handling real bugs (and I wouldn’t blame you) consider hiding plastic bugs around the picnic area. Plastic bugs, as well as bug keeper containers are sold at dollar stores and on-line. Give each child a bug keeper, set a time limit, and let the fun begin! The child who finds the most bugs…wins! To wind down your picnic, gather everyone together on a picnic blanket and read some buggy books. Books such as The Hungary Caterpillar, Leo the Lightning Bug and Bugs and Slugs are perfect and sure to entertain.
There you have it! Simple, yet fun ideas that are guaranteed to make your bug picnic a great success. Use your imagination…I’m sure you can come up with even more delightfully buggy ideas! So what are you waiting for? Grab some spiders, beetles, ants and, of course, your picnic supplies, and start planning your bug picnic today! Check back soon…more fun ideas to come!
Tags: bug birthday party, bug picnic, kids, picnic, picnic basket, picnic supplies, picnic theme
Little girls love princesses. They also love picnics! Why not combine the two and have a princess picnic? A princess picnic is also a great birthday party idea and best of all, won’t drain your bank account. What little girl wouldn’t love a princess picnic party!? So gather together your picnic supplies, put on your diamond tiara and start planning!
Picnic Supplies - Fun Ideas
This is one picnic where your imagination will play a major role. After all, the goal here is to create a festive, fairytale picnic…good enough for a princess and her court. Pink is definitely a princess color. Pink plates, napkins, and cups are perfect! If you are picnicking on the ground…then you must bring a pink picnic blanket. If a picnic table is more your style…then of course, pink table cloths are in order! Scatter some pink confetti and glitter on the table to create a sparkle affect and place an arrangement of pink flowers in the center! If you are having a princess picnic birthday party ask the guests to wear their finest princess attire. I don’t know many little girls these days that don’t own a princess dress of some kind (my Niece, Sophie, has three!). Make sure to have a few tiaras or princess wands on hand for those little girls who do not have their own (you don’t want anyone to feel left out!). There are several stores on the internet that sell bulk princess items such as wands, tiaras, gemstone rings, bracelets, necklaces, stickers…I could go on and on!
Food
The little princesses at your picnic are sure to be hungry. To keep things fun and festive…try to serve as many pink foods as you can! Make strawberry and raspberry jelly sandwiches and cut them into fun shapes with cookies cutters. Put a drop of red food coloring into some marshmallow fluff to create pink peanut butter fluff sandwiches! Serve pink lemonade and pink cupcakes piled high with fluffy pink frosting! Fresh strawberries, princess pops, and cotton candy are sure to please even the pickiest princess! If you love to bake, try making chocolate raspberry bars….home-made, delicious, and easy to pack in your picnic basket!
Recipe - Chocolate Raspberry Bars
- 2 Cups all-purpose flour
- 1 Cup granulated sugar
- 1 Large egg - beaten
- 2 Sticks of butter or margarine
- 1 Teaspoon Almond extract
- ¾ Cup Seedless raspberry jam
- 2 Cups of semi-sweet chocolate mini morsels
- 1 Cup of slivered almonds (optional if you are worried about food allergies)
- 1 Cup of sifted powdered sugar
- 1 to 2 Tablespoons of whole milk
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13×9 inch baking pan with well greased foil.
Combine flour and sugar in a large bowl. Cut butter into mixture and combine (the desired result is crumbly). Add egg and almond extract; stir with a fork until moistened (at this point, the mixture should still be crumbly). Reserve one cup of the crumb mixture. Press remaining mixture in bottom of prepared pan. Spread preserves over the crust, leave a ½ inch border. Combine reserved crumbs, chocolate morsels and nuts in same bowl. Sprinkle the mixture over preserves layer…press lightly. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until top is golden brown. Cool slightly in pan on wire rack. While still warm, score into 4 dozen bars then cool completely. Next, combine powdered sugar and enough milk in a small bowl. Drizzle over bars and let set. That’s it…delicious!
Stuff to Do
The best thing about picnics (and picnic parties) is the fact that you are outside! Kids LOVE to play outside and burn off energy. If possible, plan your princess picnic by a playground and let the kids use their imaginations (shocking in today’s world…I know!). Before you know it, the playground equipment will become their castle and the swings their white horses. If you would like to have a planned activity why not do a princess treasure hunt? Set up the adventure by telling your guests that the Queen Mother’s jewels have been stolen from her castle and it is their job to locate them. Of course, before the picnic you will need to hide a small bag of costume jewelry. Craft stores sell small mesh bags (pink of course) that would be perfect for this game. Yell out clues to the girls as they search the picnic area for the lost jewels. To wind down your picnic and calm everyone down, gather everyone together on the picnic blanket and read Cinderella, Snow White or another princess classic.
Creating the perfect princess picnic or birthday party is not difficult and does not have to cost a fortune. All you need are some basic picnic supplies, yummy food, and lots of imagination! Check back soon as I will be adding more fun and imaginative picnic ideas soon. Until then, stay away from those evil step-sisters and don’t you dare take a bite of the poison apple!