Do You Picnic with Your Children?

Are you a picnicker? Picnicking is a fun activity that can be as simple or extravagant as you're wishing to get.

On the simpler side... a couple weeks ago I took my kids to a new park (new to us anyway) and we were thrilled to find a family of ducks swimming nearby. This particular park has a walking trail that wraps around a large lake. We started down the trail only to stop half way to find a mommy duck and her ducklings swimming toward us... likely hoping for a bite to eat.

The very next day we brought a sack lunch and ate with the ducks. Well... sort of. lol We brought a loaf of bread for them, and sandwiches for us. It was quite the picnic.... the wind was pretty brutal and we had to chase down our beverage cups and food wrappers multiple times before wrapping things up. It was all part of the fun though... or so we decided!

After finishing our meal we went looking for our friends from the day before and found them comfortably resting under a shady tree. Before they could get to us, about a dozen other birds found us first! A mix of Canadian Geese, ducks, sparrows and finches followed the trail of bread crumbs we'd began tossing into the water. When mommy and family started on their way towards us the other birds began trying to chase them away. lol The mother duck started hissing at the other birds and swam towards them with her beak open and ready for action. Believe it or not they all backed off so the babies could get a bite to eat! lol It only took a few bites and they were done. Small bellies I guess.

After the babies were full they swam to a large rock on the bank of the lake and we fed the other birds what was left of the bread. Everyone ate!

Since our multiple ventures to this park we have made plans for picnicking at other area parks. It's the perfect time of year too... not too hot, and the insects aren't in full numbers. In fact, I have yet to see even one mosquito! 

Picnicking with your children is an awesome and inexpensive activity that can also turn into a biology or nature lesson. Plan on what you'll study when you arrive at your location.. maybe plant or animal life, maybe you'll study the soil. You could even find a place to fish! If that's more your style.

As for the more elaborate types of picnicking... I've taken picnics with friends, but we usually don't sit on a blanket... more fun to find a shelter house and do the best job possible of pampering ourselves while there. You didn't know you could be pampered at a picnic? lol I think visiting Forman and Field will have you thinking quite differently! I'd love to plan an outing for the weekend and take along their Summer Weekender Hamper, which is filled with all sorts of delectable and ready to eat meats, salmon, bread, jam, and wine! Perfect girls weekend away! Wouldn't you agree? All that's missing is a cabin for the night with indoor plumbing. After all... we don't want to get to carried away. Right? lol

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