Family Picnic #1: Chicken Salad and Active Play

Welcome to The Family Dinner Project’s Family Picnic series! Family meals are a wonderful opportunity for connection, and we know families are always looking for new ways to keep them fresh and fun. Especially during times of stress and tension, it’s important to be able to gather with the people we love and share food, fun and conversation about things that matter.

This summer, we know there will still be many families practicing social distancing, while others will be trying to navigate a new normal with cautious returns to work and child care settings. We invite you to make a weekly family picnic — whether it’s for lunch or dinner, on a weekend or weeknight — part of your summer routine. We’ll be posting new ideas weekly from June through August, and hope that they’ll provide your family with a much-needed escape from the ordinary this summer.

This Week’s Family Picnic Menu

We’re kicking off our summer picnic menus with a portable picnic you can bookmark for later, when busy schedules mean eating on the go. This summer’s backyard picnic will be equally great anytime you need a packable meal!

Chicken salad is a picnic classic. Put a twist on the usual with this version, which adds nuts and fruit for a sweet crunch.

Waldorf Chicken Salad

 

 

Let kids help make rainbow veggie skewers for a picnic side dish. If you’re worried about safety, popsicle or lollipop sticks can work as an alternative to sharp-ended skewers. Thread colorful veggies like grape tomatoes, cucumbers, and rainbow-colored bell peppers onto sticks and serve with a simple dip.

Rainbow Veggie Skewers with Curry Vegetable Dip

 

Make no-bake oatmeal bites the day before, and let them chill in the refrigerator for a cool sweet treat that’s ready for your picnic when you are!

No Bake Oatmeal Date Bites

Fun

One of the great things about a picnic is that it gives active kids the chance to wiggle and move around freely during the meal. Get the whole family moving together with this creative outdoor game!

What Can You Do With…?

Conversation

As we kick off the summer together, keep the conversation light with these suggestions for summery topics.