How to Create the Perfect Family Picnic

meg_son_grassWhat better way is there to enjoy a relaxing afternoon with your family – soaking in the sunshine, eating good food and simply being together –  than with a glorious, family picnic? Before the summer slips away, follow our formula to create the perfect family picnic. We show you how to choose the right menu, including ideas and recipes for delicious and easy-to-prepare fare; how to pack just right; and also provide a fantastic round-up of the best picnicking spots for families in the SF Bay Area, New York, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles and San Diego.

greek-pasta-salad
Greek Salad via Pinterest

STEP 1: The Perfectly Portable, Family-Friendly Picnic Menu.

The best picnic meals are the ones that come together without a whole lot of effort. After all, who wants to be slaving away in the kitchen in August?  The most successful picnics are also easy to transport and simple to eat while sitting or lounging on a blanket.  In other words, they are fuss-free.

And, since we’re talking about a family event, make sure the menu provides food and treats kids will be happy to eat without any pleading or begging from you. Think finger foods and simple salads you can eat out of the individual containers you transport them in.

Image via Cooking Light
Mozzarella Bites via Cooking Light

Here are some sure-fire hits for the best family picnic food:

  • Greek Pasta Salad – an entire meal in one bowl.
  • Edamame Salad – kids dig the tiny green bean.
  • Crudites with Kid-Approved Ranch Dressing for dipping
  • Fruit (it comes in its own package)
  • Baked Mozzarella Bites – You can eat these and the marinara dipping sauce at room temperature.
  • Quiche or a Spanish Omelet – delicious served chilled
  • Kebabs- with or without meat, food on a stick is cool.
  • Sandwiches – if you have a picky eater on your hands, stick with what you know works.
    Simple Sandwiches via Good Housekeeping
    Simple Sandwiches via Good Housekeeping

    If your crew likes shaking it up, try a new combo, like one of these 12 Simple Summer Sandwiches. Most can be assembled on-site.

  • Cheese and crackers
  • Brownies – These Frosted Zucchini Brownies use applesauce instead of oil and require no eggs.

STEP 2: Thoughtful Picnic Packing.

Gather the essentials – enough to have everything you need, but not enough to weigh you down so much that you’re worn out by the time you get there.

Image via Pinterest
Image via Pinterest

You get bonus points if you can eat out of the containers the food is stored in, meaning you have less to carry and less to toss.  Stick with foods that require no or few utensils and borrow small plastic containers from the stash you use to pack your kids’ school lunches.

Just as important as the food are the extras –

A soft blanket everyone can fit on, a ball or Frisbee, a game the whole family can play, some music and of course, sunscreen, bug spray and water. If it’s a late evening picnic, a lantern is useful and sets a nice mood, and flashlights will entertain the kids while you rest and enjoy the night.

STEP 3: The Right Picnic Spot.

Your kids would likely be thrilled to simply throw down a blanket and sit on the back patio, since it’s so much more exciting than eating at, say the kitchen table.  If you’re looking for a better spot, here are our picks for the best places to picnic with families:

BEST FAMILY PICNIC SPOTS – SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

BEST FAMILY PICNIC SPOTS – NEW YORK CITY

BEST FAMILY PICNIC SPOTS – CHICAGO

BEST FAMILY PICNIC SPOTS – LOS ANGELES

BEST FAMILY PICNIC SPOTS – SAN DIEGO

BEST FAMILY PICNIC SPOTS – BOSTON

It’s an awesome time of year to be outside! Need a babysitter to take the kids to the park? Try UrbanSitter!

Go Outside! 10 Fun Activities to Get Your Kids Moving Outdoors

Now that your kids are back in school and likely spending a sizable part of their day in after-school activities or riding along in carpool, it’s important to make time to get outside to play.

Experts recommend toddlers receive an hour of daily physical play that includes time outdoors. Older children, ranging from preschool to school age, will benefit from at least an hour of physical play, which can be outdoors when weather cooperates.

Before we reset the clocks and lose an hour of  precious daylight,  get out and enjoy some fresh air and late summer sunshine with your kids. It’ll make everyone feel better inside and out!

Here are 10 fun activities to get them moving outside:

  1. Take a family nature walk or hike. Watch for signs and evidence of the changing season.
  2. Build an outside obstacle course for the whole crew.
  3. Learn a new jump rope song. Remember Miss Mary Mac?!
  4. Go fishing.
  5. Explore a new bike path.  Consider investing in a mounted child or infant carrier seat for your bike, if you don’t already have one. That way, you won’t need to leave anyone behind!
  6.  Try roller blading.
  7. Create your own map on the sidewalk or driveway with chalk.
  8. Play soccer. Your family vs. the neighbors.
  9. Have a race.
  10. Rent an inflatable jumpy house for a couple of hours. Get a few families to pitch in, and make it a party!

Don’t have time to get outside with your kids? Bet your sitter would love the chance! Find & book babysitters instantly on UrbanSitter.

Family-Friendly Weekend Get-Aways – Let’s Go Camping!

This summer, City Moms are getting back to nature! According to our insiders, more and more urban families are choosing camping as their number one pick for a family-friendly weekend get-away.

We’ve gathered a list of our favorite family camping spots in Northern and Southern California, New York, and Chicago, and what to expect so you, too, can pack up your crew and spend a summer night or two under the stars.

Not convinced “roughing it” is for you? Lynn Perkins, an UrbanSitter founder and mom of twin boys insists, “There is no better bonding experience than sleeping in a tent together as a family. Camping is a great chance for parents to unplug from their jobs, get back to nature, and learn new things with their kids. It also gives everyone a much needed break from screen time.”

Not to worry, we’ve also included a few picks for those who aren’t cut out for tenting it!

Camping around the NYC Area

Both of these camping spots are about a two-hour drive from NYC.

Taconic State Park in New York’s Copake Falls region. Families choose Taconic for its convenience and safety, including a nice beach where the kids can swim and easy trails for the whole family to hike. In addition to campsites, Taconic also offers well-equipped cabins with running water, electricity and full kitchens for those who enjoy a pretty big step up from a tent. The park boasts a network of trails that are fantastic for family bike rides.

Insider Tip: Book well in advance, and if you’re hoping for one of the cabins, know that you must book 7-day or 14-day reservations during the peak summer season.

Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park in Putnam County, NY, is a big hit thanks to its large, sandy beach at Canopus Lake. It’s a great place to swim, fish, rent a rowboat, and enjoy a picnic lunch at the nearby picnic area.

Insider Tip: Keep Fahnestock top of mind for a winter getaway, too. Fahnestock Winter Park offers excellent sledding and is a great place for the whole family to try snowshoeing.

Camping in Southern California

San Elijo State Beach on the San Diego Coast provides all the thrills of camping and a day at the beach, rolled into one, easy to reach location. By day, families can build sand castles and play in the reef-protected waters. When the sun goes down, build a bonfire, roast marshmallows and teach your kids camp songs. Clean restrooms, a snack bar and camp store make it especially easy on families.

Insider Tips:
* The secret is out on San Elijo as a top choice for families. Book 6 months in advance.
* If you need a break from nature, Wan Pizza is a close-by bite to eat. The pizza is delicious, and the waiters bring kids pizza dough, instead of crayons, to play with while waiting for their food.

The Observatory Campground at Mt. Palomar in San Diego County is a top pick for its spectacular star gazing and learning opportunities, thanks to its proximity to the Palomar Observatory, a world-class center of astronomy research operated by the California Institute of Technology. But, it’s not just about seeing the stars, although star gazing is truly reason enough to visit. Plan on hiking during the day, and spending lots of time around a campfire in the evening. There’s an optimal view of the sky thanks to specially cleared camp spots. Here’s your chance to try out your campfire cooking skills. Eating around a campfire beats sitting in a restaurant with restless kids any day! Do your homework for preparing easy, kid-pleasing campfire meals. And don’t forget the s’mores!

Insider Tips:
* Bring a telescope!
* The 4.2 mile (round trip) hike to the Observatory may be tough for a preschooler.
* Remember to bring bug spray in the summer.

Camping in Northern California

Costanoa Lodge, an eco-adventure resort in Pescadero, CA, is a hands-down favorite. It’s just a bit more than an hour’s drive from San Francisco, and is situated on what is arguably the most ruggedly beautiful stretch of California coast. The property offers several levels of accommodations to fit a range of  “camping” comfort requirements – campgrounds for serious campers and tent bungalows or lodge-style rooms for the less adventurous.

This resort truly takes the planning and coordination pressure off parents by providing scheduled hikes, kids camps, horseback riding, and live music for awesome family entertainment during the summer. There’s even a general store onsite. It’s unlikely you’ll want to leave the property, but if you do, a family visit to Pie Ranch, Swanton Berry Farm, and Pigeon Point Lighthouse are short treks away.

Insider Tip: Keep your eyes pealed for wildlife sightings, as wildlife is abundant on the property, including many rare and endangered species, and they are sure to be a highlight of your family’s weekend.

Olemar RV Resort and Campground near the Point Reyes National Seashore is also just an hour outside SF, and provides a gorgeous mix of grassy, open meadows, wooded area and plenty of wildlife. There is a lot to do as a family, including hiking, biking and just exploring, whether on the grounds or the nearby shore. The campground has newly renovated restrooms and showers and a new playground for the kids. It’s walking distance or a short drive to Point Reyes Station for groceries, restaurants or shopping if you need a reprieve from your tent.

Insider Tip: Watch out for raccoons! There are many, so secure your belongings before heading to bed.

Camping near Chicago

Gebhard Woods State Park in Morris, Illinois, is the nearest campsite (about seven miles) from the spectacular Goose Lake in Goose Lake Prairie State Park. It’s true camping style with no extra hand-holding and few amenities other than the Great Outdoors. Families love it for its natural beauty and easy accessibility – just an hour outside of Chicago – and have a blast fishing and canoeing in one the several ponds and Nettle Creek, which gently flows around the park’s perimeter.

Insider Tip: While it’s very inexpensive (just $6/day to camp), the campsites aren’t a park-and-camp experience. Plan to walk about ½ mile from your car to your campsite.

Hickory Hideaway at Lake Carroll in Shannon, Illinois, is the pick if you prefer a little more luxe in your nature getaway. It offers whirlpool cottages and family country cottages, as well as luxury cabins equipped with a jacuzzi, fireplace, king-size bed and wet bar! Guests can also use a clubhouse with grills and picnic tables, along with bench swings and a fire pit. Drive time from Chicago is about 2.5 hours.

Insider Tip:  Chat with the owners while you are there. They are incredibly helpful, and can maximize the family-friendliness of your trip by providing recommendations on nearby restaurants and even providing your kids with movies and games.

10 Ways to Shake it Up this Summer!

Summer is the time of year we all dream of when we’re buried in mountains of work (or snow), lost in a maze of school schedules and activities, and numb from mundane daily routines. You can make sure you and your family take full advantage of the season just by changing the rules a bit.

Here are our 10 rules to live by this summer – kick off your shoes, dive in and create your own, too!

  1.  Loosen Up! Let your kids stay up later, eat outside, have dessert, get dirty, stay in their bathing suits (or PJs) all day, and take the time to wander, dawdle, and explore all that we’re too busy to see during the busy school year.
  2. Introduce something new. School year routines don’t often leave time to do the things we wish we could do. Summer clears our plates a bit and presents the perfect chance for you to be “That Mom” – visit a museum, take a mother/child art or yoga class, have a family fiesta night, or read your children a classic book that takes an entire summer to finish
  3. Get moving.  Unplug and play hard! Organize a neighborhood kickball game at a nearby park, start an evening bike ride routine, take the long way on your walk home, play chase, skip rope, find a spot to draw a hop-scotch game or start a relay race.
  4. Stay connected with friends and get to know new ones. Back to school transitions will be easier if there are familiar faces to share the new routine. Take the time to schedule play dates with school friends and host an afternoon at the pool or your place for new friends who will be together in the fall.
  5. Enroll in camp. Mini camps – lasting half or whole days for a week at a time – are an ideal opportunity for kids to test drive new activities and sports or improve existing skills. Better yet, they are a place to have fun and make new friends.
  6. Get outta town. Change the scenery, even if just for a night. To keep costs low and really change the pace, camp out! Or, if packing up the car seems like a daunting task, pitch a tent in the backyard for a slumber party under the stars.
  7. Celebrate the season. Nothing says summer like stopping for ice cream, catching fireflies, eating a hot dog at the ballgame, having a picnic or lying in the grass to look at the stars.  Help your kids build happy memories of summertime that will stay with them a lifetime.
  8. Keep learning. Teachers say they spend as much as the first three months of school re-teaching the skills kids lose over the summer months. Give your kids a head start by dedicating a few minutes every day to brushing up on skills. For preschoolers, coloring, cutting and tracing or writing their ABCs go a long way. For older kids, have them keep a summer journal and pick up a few workbooks to refresh and preview next year. Make it fun by playing school and taking turns being the teacher.
  9. Get wet!  Visit a pool, beach or lake, run wild in a sprinkler, play with a garden hose, host a Barbie pool party or a Matchbox Car wash on the back porch. Recycled squeeze and spray bottles are great for water fights, and also make excellent tools for writing on the sidewalk and watering anything remotely resembling a garden.
  10. Give kids a break from Mom and Dad by hiring an energetic sitter. School is out for college kids, too, so call up the neighborhood sitter or log onto UrbanSitter to find dozens of experienced college-aged sitters looking for work. Since you can also view their schedules, you can book a sitter online instantly whenever inspiration strikes – run out to catch a movie, meet up with a friend or have a date night with your husband. The kids will welcome the change of company, too!