It’s time to shake off Jack Frost once and for all and bid
spring a cheery hello! We’re ready for fresh air, light on-the-go eats and some
quality time with our besties. Well, what are you waiting for? Grab a blanket,
a basket and, OK, maybe a light jacket if it’s still a li’l nippy outside, and
get ready for the perfect potluck picnic at your local park.
You’re invited!
When it comes to a party that revolves around food, the more
the merrier! Print up cutesy flyers on pastel-colored pages and hand them out
to your gang. Include the pertinent deets plus a specific location within the
park where you’ll be settin’ up shop. Draw a map and have X—or a picnic
basket—mark the spot.
Plan the menu
Setting up a Facebook event or an Evite page to keep track
of who’s bringing what will prevent you from having pounds of brownies and no
potato chips. Go old school with a sign-up sheet in the back of your school
notebook. Assign everyone a type of food—appetizer, entrée, side dishes,
dessert or drink—and make sure some people are coming with paper goods, like
plates, napkins, cups and cutlery.
Eat this, not that
When it comes to food, you want to keep things clean and
manageable. Finger foods are fab, but if they’re saucy, you might wanna nix
‘em. Think in individual-sized portions: Baked chicken drumsticks instead of
chicken breasts, cupcakes instead of layer cake. For snacks and sides, consider
munchies like peanuts or edamame. The shells can be chucked in the grass or
tossed into a compost pile.
Pick your spot
If the weather is already boiling hot in your hometown,
choose a shaded area in which to spread your blankets and baskets. If it’s
still on the cool side, sitting in the sun might provide some welcome warmth.
Aim for a flat space that can comfortably fit your entire group. Many picnic areas
have picnic tables. If you can, lay out your food buffet-style on a table to
keep critters at bay.
Need some supervision?
No sweat! If your mom insists on coming along, set up a
separate parent party a few tables away. Your ‘rents can gab about grown-up
things while you guys (and gals) gossip the afternoon away.
Get your game on
Not ready to call it quits? If your local park offers a lot
of amenities—think basketball courts, baseball diamonds, volleyball nets and
playgrounds—go ahead and get active with your friends. Divide those who want to
play into teams and burn off that lunch. Remember: You might need to bring your
own bats and balls, so do come prepared!
If your park isn’t loaded with nets and courts (or other
folks are using them), consider games like capture the flag, tag and
hide-and-seek that don’t require any specific space or equipment. Wanna go back
to grade school? Pull out games like Red Rover, Mother May I? and Red Light,
Green Light.
Do you have more ideas? Tell us about ‘em, babes!
BY BRITTANY TAYLOR ON 4/17/2013 12:00:00 AM
POSTED IN weekend fun, party ideas, get outside, earth day, spring parties