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!

Hit the Road: Spring Break Day Trips!

Photo Credit: Pink Sherbet Photography via Compfight cc
Photo Credit: Pink Sherbet Photography via Compfight cc

No plans for a family Spring Break vacation this year? No worries.

Check out these super ideas for easy day-trips to entertain you and the kids while school’s out for the week.We’ve included helpful insider tips to get the most of your time together.

San Francisco/Bay Area

It’s a lovely time of year to venture north – just an hour or so from SF – to the Guerneville/Russian River area. On a nice day, hit Sonoma Coast State Beach and if the river is more your speed, visit Johnson’s Beach on the Russian River, which is super family-friendly (i.e., no glass containers, alcohol or dogs allowed).When your kids tire of the beach, but still have energy to burn, head to Armstrong Redwoods State National Reserve to hike through the enormous redwoods. You can always opt to drive through the forest to take in the sights if your crew is too petered out for a hike.

Flavors Unlimited is the perfect stop for an  ice cream treat. It’s conveniently located just off the main road in Guerneville.
Mrs. Grossman's Sticker Factory
Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory

For more to do in the area, include a visit to Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory or the Charles Schultz Museum. Both are fun for kids and adults, too.

Costs: Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory – Adults $7, Kids Under 12 $5, Kids Under 3 – Free. Tours are limited to 15 people and reservations are required. Call  800.429.4549 to book a reservation.
Charles Schultz Museum – Adults $10, Youth 4-18 $5 and Museum Members and Kids Under 3 – Free.

Los Angeles

Photo Credit: TepeyacFarm via Compfight cc
Photo Credit: TepeyacFarm via Compfight cc

If you live in the LA area, the obvious choice for a kid-approved day trip might be Disneyland. But, chances are you’ve been there, done that and would rather find a more affordable day with your kids.

Have you been to the Santa Barbara Zoo? It’s just 90 miles north of Los Angeles, and is considered one of the most beautiful zoos in the world. Where else can you see more than 500 animals while overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Andree Clark Bird Refuge and Santa Ynez Mountains? Gorgeous!

If you go on a holiday weekend, get there early to avoid the lines, but don’t sweat the parking. There is usually plenty of parking near the zoo.  It’s right by the beach so it’s typically chilly – pack a sweater, and don’t forget sunscreen and water.  You might want to bring a picnic, too, as you’ll have no trouble finding a nice spot. Opt for a meal at one of the zoo’s cafe is you need a break from packing lunches. Not to miss  – feeding the giraffes and riding the train, which goes all around the zoo.

Cost: Adults $14, Kids 2-12 $10, Seniors (60+) and children under 2 – free.

San Diego

You can enjoy the journey as much as the destination by taking the train to Historic San Juan Capistrano. For many kids, a train ride is all they need to make the day memorable, but you can easily keep the fun coming after the train stops. The charming town has something for everyone:

  • Head to Zoomars, an eclectic petting zoo with a can’t miss new attraction – Miner’s Gulch. Visitors can relive the Gold Rush, panning for gold, gemstones and fossils. 

Photo from Zoomars

  • A must do for young and old – have lunch in an old train car! The food is fabulous and the experience of eating in a train car will keep the kids occupied long enough for you to enjoy it.

Costs: Zoomars – Adults $8, Children $7.

Chicago

Spring Break is perfectly timed for a visit to Lamb’s Farm, which opens for the season in late March. The farm is located in Libertyville, Illinois, less than an hour drive from the city. Here you will find a petting area with sheep and goat, mini-golf, a mini-train ride, cow bounce house and an Old World carousel. It’s also loved for its country-style, reasonably restaurants, so no need to bring food.  Their Weekend Breakfast Buffet, Saturday Night BBQ Buffet and Friday Night Fish Fry are highly recommended.

It’s a farm, so dress accordingly!

Cost: $5 for Age 2-Adults with additional, minimal costs for the train ride, mini-golf, carousel and bounce house. All proceeds benefit the non-profit organization that runs the farm. The organization serves adults with developmental disabilities, giving them a home and responsibilities in the community through their work at Lamb’s Farm.

New York City

Just 1-½ hours from NYC you’ll find bucolic Hyde Park on the east bay of the Hudson River. It’s an ideal day trip, not only for its scenic attributes, but also for its options and activities to entertain and feed everyone in the family. There’s the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt for a taste of history, the Culinary Institute of America  for a beautiful campus stroll, tour and amazing meal; and Big Bear Ziplines, which opened earlier this year to give new meaning to leaf peeping.  (The rides are exhilarating, and suitable even for the young, as long as an adult accompanies them!)

If you’re visiting on a weekday, you can stock your picnic basket at the Apple Pie Bakery, before topping the day off with a cinematic throwback: the Hyde Park Drive-In (which has vintage cartoon commercials and a kitschy snack bar). A great day, for everyone, conveniently packaged into one locale!

Costs: FDR –  $14/adult (two-day pass) and kids 15 and under are free. Big Bear Ziplines –  prices vary. You can book reservations on the tour that’s right for your group by calling 888.ZIP.BBZI (947.2294). Check local flash deal sites for coupons and reduced rates.

Extended family or friends in town for Spring Break, leaving you with large crew of kids to entertain? Hire a babysitter to come along and help out on your day-trip!

Ultimate Weekend Get-Aways (Without the Kids!)

You got the kids back to school and the family back into a school-time routine. Now it’s time to think about a little R & R time away from it all.

Whether you make it a romantic weekend, a girls’ or guys’ trip, or you go solo, this is the perfect time of year to take advantage of a few days away.

The kids will survive without you for a weekend – UrbanSitter can take care of that with babysitters available for overnights – and you’ll return refreshed and ready to jump back into family life.

Where to go? We’ve done the work so you don’t have to spend hours scouring the Web for ideas. Take our word for it. These top spots come highly recommended as ideal get-away spots this fall.

Go ahead, book it… and let us know how it went!

In the NYC Area:

It’s all about fall foliage this time of year. Just a bit more than a two-hour drive from NYC is the Lodge at Woodloch, an adults-only, all-inclusive, luxury spa nestled among the trees in the Poconos.

The resort has a gorgeous spa and offers a multitude of classes, including Mind & Body, water therapies, fitness, and something they call Creative Discovery work (think watercolor painting, drawing, drumming and cooking classes). You can also golf, go horseback riding, hike, and bike or kayak on the spectacular property or just outside of it.

Dining certainly hasn’t been overlooked here. Their TREE Restaurant offers fine, gourmet dining with some of the food grown right on the property at its own Farm-To-Table Garden.

And check out this very nice extra touch – The hotel offers door-to-door transportation in a chauffeured, luxury sedan for guests coming from Manhattan and staying a minimum of two nights.  Check out their website for details and a promo code.

In the San Francisco Area:

You can never go wrong with a Napa/Sonoma weekend escape, especially this time of year, but why not try something new? And it might just be right in your own back yard –  Tiburon. Regardless of where you live in the Bay Area, Tiburon, in Marin County, isn’t far. Stay at the Lodge at Tiburon. It’s recently been remodeled, and makes for a perfect home base for enjoying the area.

You can really get away from it all, hiding in a cabana at the property’s secluded pool. And there’s no need to break the Zen by dealing with your car. Park it when you arrive and never have to use it again. Everything you need is within walking distance.

Have drinks at Sam’s on the water or dine at one of the town’s many fabulous restaurants. If you yearn for a bit of Big City, jump on the ferry and head to San Francisco for a day trip, a bit of shopping or dinner.

In the Los Angeles Area:

A quick trip to the desert to revive, recharge and reconnect is in order. Only a two-hour drive from LA is The Hope Springs Resort in Desert Hot Springs.

This boutique resort is tiny – only 10 rooms (so book fast!) – and all about its gorgeous views and three, stress-zapping mineral water pools.  The property is very minimalist, a bit retro and very serene.

When not hanging poolside or enjoying a hike on one of the many desert trails, head to the Casino Restaurant at the nearby Two Bunch Palms Resort and Spa. They offer a tasty tapas menu that’s perfect for a late afternoon bite to eat in a beautiful setting.

In the Chicago Area:

For an easy pace, head to Galena, Illinois, about 160 miles outside of Chicago. The historic town is known for its beautiful B&Bs, antique shopping, and very quaint atmosphere on the Mississippi River. It’s so pretty that it’s often touted as the only place in the Midwest to consistently appear near the top of every “beautiful places” list in the US.

Our favorite lodging picks are the Farmer’s Guest House, a charming country inn; and the Cloran Mansion, a larger, luxury bed and breakfast with a European feel. Stays at both include generous, award-winning breakfasts .

When not strolling around the restored Main Street or indulging in a big country breakfast, check out the art galleries scattered around the area. You can also try a wine tasting at Galena Cellars Winery and Vineyard or if you’re a history buff, visit the Ulysses Grant House, one of several historic sites in the region.

Looking for something a little more active, bring a bike and explore one of the many bike and hiking trails in the beautiful countryside.

In the San Diego Area:

For wine tasting and a lovely, romantic getaway without having to make a trip all the way up to Napa, head just 45 minutes outside of San Diego to Temecula Valley. The area has more than 35 wineries and a historic town with antique stores, hotels, specialty food shops, boutiques, and antique dealers.

But, really it’s about the wine tasting. Make it easy on yourself by having a plan of attack. You can choose to do a self-guided tour or take a bus tour. The Temecula Winegrowers Association has created a collection of tours that group wineries by categories, such as Reds, Whites, Familiar Favorites, Mediterranean Style, and Off-the-Beaten Path Boutiques. Pick which most appeals to you and you know you won’t be disappointed. You can find them as printable PDFs on their site.

No matter which tour you choose, make sure and visit Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards. It’s one of our insider favorites.

There are many choices for lodging, including small bed and breakfasts, the Inn at Churon Winery for a bigger, grander b&b feel, and the South Coast Winery Resort & Spa for a luxury resort experience with all the extras.

In the Denver Area:

Fall is a superb time to visit Ouray, where the area flora is dressed in its gold-hued best. To add to the experience, there are a number of unique ways to see the fall colors in Ouray, including Jeep tours, scenic drives, hiking trails, hot air balloon rides, and hot tub perches. Be sure to pack a camera – there are many frame-able moments to be had! Check out Box Canyon Lodge and Hot Springs for decent rates.

If your foliage drive takes you to Estes Park, try the Estes Park Massage while you’re there. They happen to be running autumn specials now, including a 120-minute Cinnamon and Nutmeg Scrub with an hour Hot Stone Massage. Ahhhhhh.

Just outside of Steamboat Springs nestled alongside Hot Springs Creek lies one of the most spectacular mineral springs in the world. Imagine relaxing in 104-degree mineral water after hiking or biking trails the nearby in Routt National Forest. Strawberry Park Hot Springs is truly an unforgettable experience. The blending of pure natural beauty and the unique stone masonry of the pools is unlike anything you’ve seen before.

No matter where you go or how you choose to spend your weekend away, we hope you enjoy every minute of it!

Need a babysitter who’s available overnight? Browse sitters on UrbanSitter.

Super Cool After-School Activities You Won’t Want to Miss

We’ve surveyed the afterschool landscape in search of the hippest, hottest, most fun extracurricular activities for your preschool and early elementary-aged children. And we’ve scored! Some of these activities look so thrilling, you’ll want to check out their adult classes, too!

Classes fill quickly, so take your pick and get your kid on the roster ASAP. Remember, even if you can’t swing afternoon carpool, there’s a babysitter out there that’s just right for the job. Log onto UrbanSitter and search by the days and times you need. It’s as easy as that!

In the San Francisco area:

SeeSaw

A very groovy play studio in Hayes Valley with great workshops and classes for after school up to age 10, and something throughout the day for kids as young as one.  They offer a range of classes, including toddler play time, language and music lessons,  arts and crafts, yoga and emotional and social skill building.

House of Air

This trampoline gym offers a “Junior Geronimo” program for ages 3-6, giving little ones a safe, supervised jump space and parents an onsite café where they can take advantage of some free time.

In the New York City area:

Trapeze School New York

Really. The school claims children as young as four often have the coordination to attend classes here, but our insider mom recommends 6 as the starting age.

Brooklyn Robot Foundry

A very cool place that blends designing, building and playing, while teaching kids about electricity, gears, motors, and how things work. The DIT (Do It Together) class concludes with the kids bringing home their own robot. Fall classes start in October.

In the Chicago area:

Menomonee Club

Awesome indoor center with activities to spark the interest of any kid, including sports and fitness, cooking, science and engineering labs, arts, music and dance, theater and martial arts. Most are geared toward the TK and up crowd, but they do have a few selections for preschoolers.

Common Threads

After-school cooking and nutrition classes for elementary-aged children, focusing on basic cooking skills, healthy eating and world cuisine. Students are taught by real chefs, and prepare healthy meals to share with their classmates. The school also offers an outdoor gardening class (Spring and Fall) where kids learn to grow and harvest their own healthy eats, and then incorporate them into recipes.

In the Los Angeles area:

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art

The LACMA has several offerings for kids, including an intergenerational art class for kids at least 3 ½  years old and their families. It’s a chance for kids, parents and grandparents to learn about and make art together at the museum.

Los Angeles School of Gymnastics

It’s more than just gymnastics here – although you can’t find a better place to learn the basics and team level sport. Let your kids pick what speaks to them – tumbling, trampoline, karate, All Star Cheer, parent and tot classes, and Rhythmic Gymnastics (think gymnastics blended with dance and ballet with twirling ribbons and hula hoops!).

In the San Diego area:

ArtSoup

Drop-in art studio for kids age 2 to 14. Tons for your kids to sink their hands into at this open studio, which includes a VW Bug as a canvas, glass and chalk walls, activity tables, a 20K brick Lego Castle, and a stocked, self-serve craft bar.

Alma Latina Dance Company

For a low monthly price, your child can take unlimited classes, attending a favorite class or two or choosing to try something new each week.  Offerings range from ballet and hip hop to Latin dance and yoga.

If you like our picks, let us know and we’ll keep’em coming with new selections for your kids to mix it up this school year!

UrbanSitter now available to parents in San Diego

kids with kiteFinding a babysitter in San Diego just became a whole lot easier with the official launch of UrbanSitter!

Families living (or vacationing) in San Diego now have a central hub to find, interview, and book babysitters online, in real time. Best of all, the site enables parents to discover these sitters through friends, school affiliations, and parenting groups they really trust.

So far, over 75 sitters have signed up in the greater San Diego area, including many San Diego State University graduates and students. In addition to education level, parents can search for sitters by years of experience, background checks, reviews, language, experience with special needs, pay rate, and more. Sitters list their schedules online, so parents can easily book a job with the click of a button–even for a last minute babysitter!

UrbanSitter is arriving in San Diego just in time for MLK weekend and Valentine’s Day date nights! Parents planning a family vacation to the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld or Legoland can also look forward to a night away from the kids thanks to the growing network of parents and trusted sitters.

UrbanSitter is available across the greater San Diego area including La Jolla, North County, South Bay and East County. To search sitters, log in and enter your city in the location box.