Summer is around the corner and with the weather warming up, a picnic with baby or toddler is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and spend quality time with the family. Little ones can benefit a lot from being outdoors and in nature as it helps promote physical development, stimulate their senses and curiosity and learn new sights and sounds!
Picnics are fun and relaxing but picnic with baby or toddler can be a little more challenging so it’s best to be prepared. Keep reading to learn tips on how to best prepare for a fun picnic with your baby or toddler as well as essentials to pack to ensure you have a relaxing and smooth outing with your little one.
Benefits Of Being Outdoors For Babies
Spending time outdoors and in nature can provide many amazing benefits for babies and toddlers. It can promote physical development as being outdoors can encourage your little ones to explore new surroundings whether they are learning to roll, crawl, or an expert walker! Nature provides a near terrain and many new sensories compared to staying at home so being outdoors can help stimulate their senses and curiosity such as by playing with leaves or flowers, people watching, observing pets and birds, or watching airplanes go by! Being in nature also has a calming effect on both babies and adults, reducing stress levels and promoting relaxation. This can help improve sleep quality and overall mental health. Your little ones can even take a nice nap outside under the warm sun and with natural white noise!
Bored of indoor play dates? A picnic is a great play date activity for babies and toddlers as there’s plenty of room for them to explore and be mobile, eat together without worrying about a mess, and minimize their screen time for interactive play! It’s definitely an enjoyable bonding experience that promotes healthy quality time with other families.
How Old Should Baby Be For First Outing?
The age at which a baby can go on their first outing depends largely on their individual development and the parent’s comfort level. Generally, most pediatricians suggest waiting until the baby is at least 2-3 months old and has received their first round of vaccinations before taking them out in public places. This is because newborns have an immature immune system and are more vulnerable to infections.
It’s also important to consider the weather and the destination when planning the first outing. It’s best to avoid extreme temperatures, such as very hot or cold weather, as well as crowded or noisy places. A quiet park or a walk around the neighborhood may be a good option for a first outing.
10 Tips On How To Prepare For A Picnic With Baby Or Toddler
Choose a family-friendly location
Look for nearby parks or even just big grass areas for a safe and relaxing picnic with your little one. An ideal spot may be a grass area near a playground, a picnic area with shade, or a public park. Easy access to restrooms and a short walk from parking would be major conveniences as well!
Pack the essentials
Bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent, and utensils. Don’t forget to bring extra diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes for your baby or toddler. See below for a detailed list!
Bring a baby carrier or stroller
If your baby is still young, consider using a baby carrier or stroller to make it easier to move around. This will also allow you to have your hands free to carry food and other supplies.
Bring toys and activities
Pack some age-appropriate toys and activities to keep your child entertained during the picnic. This can include books, bubbles, balls, and other small toys.
Plan for nap time
Nothing is more stressful than a tired and fussy baby! Keep your picnic relaxing and fun by considering your baby’s nap times to prevent overtiredness and ensure they are well-rested to enjoy the family outing. If your baby or toddler needs a nap during the picnic, plan ahead by bringing a shaded tent, a portable crib, or a blanket for them to lie down on. A baby carrier works too!
Be prepared for weather changes
Check the weather forecast before heading out and be prepared for changes in weather. Bring an extra jacket and beanie and dress your child in layers to accommodate any unexpected changes in temperature. When you are sitting low outdoors, it can get windy and feel a lot colder than you realize!
Consider comfort for the family
“Love this waterproof blanket for outdoor fun! I got this blanket so my baby would have a safe place to roll around during outdoor time. “
“I bought this tent for our 3-month-old’s first visit to the beach. The tent is easy to set up, blocks the sun and I love the zippered bug nets on the front.”
A blanket is the absolute most necessary item to bring for comfort for a picnic with baby or toddler. However, I also recommend bringing some type of shade for the little ones as sometimes the sun is too blazing hot or uncomfortably in your eyes and it’s not guaranteed that you can find a shaded picnic spot. I also recommend bringing hats and sunglasses for the family for a comfortable outing, especially for those warmer and sunnier days!
Bring reusable utensils and avoid sharp utensils
Since we’re enjoying nature outdoors, we should also consider the environment and bring reusable utensils to reduce waste. Reusable utensils can be the utensils baby or toddler is already using at home so no need to buy additional utensils. I recommend that you avoid bringing sharp utensils such as knives and scissors and prepare all the cutting of foods at home. Babies and toddlers are mobile and can be fast! Since a picnic is all floor level, it can happen quickly that a baby or toddler grabs a sharp object and accidentally hurts themselves.
Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is important for both adults and babies during a picnic so bring plenty of water and milk as needed for the little ones! The weather can get warm during a picnic so extra fluids for the family might be necessary to prevent dehydration.
Pack picnic-appropriate food for baby or toddler
Make sure to pack foods that are easy to eat and healthy for your baby or toddler! With a little one at home, you don’t need the extra work to prepare anything complex to keep your child fed during a picnic. Pack easy foods such as fruits, crackers, and sandwiches that your baby or toddler can be fed with or easily grab themselves with minimal mess. Read below for some picnic food suggestions!
Essentials Packing List For A Picnic With Baby
Here’s a list of picnic essentials you should make sure to pack when picnicking with your little one:
- Large waterproof picnic blanket
- Utensils, plates, cups, lots of napkins/paper towels
- Wet wipes for everyone’s hands
- Plastic bags to conveniently throw away trash
- Tent (optional if you want to ensure some shade)
- Stereo (optional if you want some music to jam to!)
- Sunscreen
- Hats and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Extra jackets and hats
- Diaper changing essentials – diapers, wipes, changing pad
- Toys and entertainment
- Food for baby and family
- Drinks and cooler
- Bottle opener (if needed)
- Cutting board (for food placement and also useful as a surface for drinks)
- Storage for picnic essentials – crate or picnic basket
Simple Kid-Friendly Foods To Pack For Picnic With Baby Or Toddler
- Fresh fruit: Fruits like bananas, berries, apples, and watermelon are great choices for a picnic. They’re easy to eat, and most babies love them.
- Cheese and crackers: Pack some sliced cheese and whole-grain crackers
- Finger foods: Foods like cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, and avocado chunks are easy to pick up and eat with little fingers.
- Hummus and pita: Hummus is a healthy and delicious dip that pairs well with pita bread. You can also bring carrot or celery sticks for dipping.
- Sandwiches: Cut sandwiches into small pieces for easy handling. You can use whole-grain bread, turkey or chicken, and cheese or avocado for a healthy and filling meal.
Baby-Led Weaning For Picnic With Baby Or Toddler
” I admired a set of parents having a great time with their baby popped up on top of the outdoor picnic table having a fabulous time this little chair. I asked them for a recommendation and they RAVED about this product.”
If your little one practices baby-led weaning, a method of self-feeding solid foods, make sure that baby is sitting upright even at a picnic to promote safe and effective eating, which is important for safe swallowing and preventing choking. For my son, we used this chair so that he could sit upright with back support to prevent him from slipping and eat safely with our supervision. Eating outdoors can be a great way for kids to further explore eating different foods and textures as parents have more flexibility with managing the mess that comes with self-feeding!
Final Thoughts On Picnic With Baby Or Toddler
Once the weather warms up, it’s such a great opportunity to go outside for a picnic with baby or toddler to take a break from being at home! Preparing for a successful picnic with a little one can mean a little more planning and preparation but it’s such a fun activity for the family and it helps boost everyone’s mental health by being outdoors. Be prepared for the weather changes and make sure you bring all the essentials and finger foods so your picnic can be stressful and relaxing. Have fun and enjoy the sunshine outside with your little ones!
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Sources
https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/baby/nature-benefits-baby