Our Essentials for a Backyard Picnic

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BlueLizardSummer #CollectiveBias

There are things you need for any outdoor activity: Snacks, a good towel, sunshine, sunscreen, lots of water.

I pack the tangible items (I wish I could bottle up sunshine) for everything my family does outside. I used to be this huge beach goer back in college – and back when I lived in Florida – but now I’m a little too far away to make a beach trip a routine thing. Plus, with a one year old, we like to stay close to home. While I’m sure Max would love a day playing in the sand, we opt for yard picnics instead!

We all know babies can be unpredictable because they have necessities like naps and food and their schedules can get thrown off by the littlest of things. So a picnic basket, a towel and some snacks is the best option for us.

Just a little PSA: I believe it’s common to forget sunscreen when you aren’t going to a place that is traditionally known as “omg bring sunscreen” (like the beach). I even put sunscreen on the exposed parts of Max when we go on stroller walks around the neighborhood. It’s so important! I’ve been using Blue Lizard® Australian Sunscreen from Walmart for myself and him because it provides the coverage we need with SPF30+, is made from a unique zinc oxide formula, was originally created in Australia (did you know that sunscreen standards in Australia are the strictest in the world? G’day, Mate!), and the Sensitive and Baby varieties we use are paraben-free, chemical-free and fragrance-free.

And then, can I geek out on you for a second? Because this is the cool part. Blue Lizard’s® patented PBA-free Smart Bottle™ changes color when it is exposed to harmful UV rays! This is an excellent reminder to apply sunscreen, I love it!

(Plus, join iBotta and earn $4.00 when you purchase Blue Lizard® Australian Sunscreen – Sensitive, 5 oz. bottle only.)

So the sunscreen is the big thing, but then any activity (truly, outdoor or otherwise) needs snacks.

I try to pack fun and filling snacks that everyone can enjoy. This applies for any outdoor activity. I wouldn’t want to pack something that’s only for my toddler and then something that only I like, and then something only my husband has a preference for. Packing light is key. It means less clean up, less heft in your bag, less prep and pack time.

Packing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches is so easy! We always have the ingredients on-hand and, what, it takes approximately 10 seconds to put together one sandwich? Simple! Plus, these sandwiches take me way back to my childhood when I would have them on field trips, bread soggy from being in a paper lunch bag for hours.

I also like to shred rotisserie chicken that I purchased from the store, or if I have time, make myself. The chicken can be used just by itself, in chicken salad, in a quinoa salad, in a sandwich, as part of a greek pita. I mean, you can truly do so much with shredded chicken!

Hummus with pita chips and vegetables is another great option. Just pack and scoop. Other easy snacks include dried fruit, fresh fruit, potato salad, even burritos that you can eat with your hands. I have an insulated picnic basket that retains a cool temperature if you use an ice pack. It’s great and very key to those hot days with food that shouldn’t be exposed to too high of a temperature.

Are you enjoying picnics this summer? What do you like to pack?

Disclosure: Parents should consult with their pediatrician before using any sunscreen on a child younger than 6 months. For children older than 6 months, we recommend our Blue Lizard® Baby or Sensitive products to minimize risk of skin sensitivity.