Picnic Ideas and Recipes {Splash Into Summer Series Week 2}

Today’s post is part of the Splash Into Summer series put together by a great group of bloggers. Each week the participating bloggers will be sharing seven posts related to a specific summer theme. This week’s theme is PICNIC, and today I’m sharing my tips for surviving a trip to the beach with your kids.

You’re ready to pack your basket and head out for a day at the beach or park, but you need picnic ideas that are easy to make ahead and take along. Here are some of my favorite picnic foods to eat on our summer outings.

Picnic Recipes

Corn Dog Muffins

These are so easy to make. All you need is a box of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, a package of hot dogs, a muffin tin and something to grease your muffin tin with. Follow the instructions on the mix (you’ll need to add egg and milk.) Grease your muffin tin or use cupcake papers. Divide the mix between the muffin cups. Cut up hot dogs and drop the pieces into the muffin mix. Bake according to the instructions on the box. Cool and store in a Ziploc bag in the fridge until you’re ready to pack them in your cooler. Believe it of not these taste great cold, and they’re easy to eat with your fingers. The perfect Picnic food!

Fried Chicken

Cold fried chicken is the quintessential picnic food. Here’s my recipe for getting the perfect fried chicken every time. Cook it, chill it and pack in your basket. It’s a great picnic idea, because you can also eat this food with your hands.

Taco Salad

Taco Salad is a picnic one-dish wonder. You can get your meat, veggies and chips all in one bowl. You’ll need a fork to eat this one, but you’ll only need this main dish and maybe a dessert. And my recipe for Taco Salad is simple and quick.

Chicken Caesar Pitas

If you’re more in the mood for sandwiches these Chicken Caeser Pitas will hit the spot. More finger food that covers a few food groups as well.

Mom’s Potato Salad

I love potato salad and it’s the perfect side dish to take along on a picnic. It goes great with the fried chicken or the corn dog muffins. My favorite potato salad recipe is my mom’s.

Frosty Peanut Butter Pie

If you want to take dessert along with you this Frosty Peanut Butter Pie makes a nice cool treat on a hot summer afternoon. Freeze it, put it in your cooler and it should be softened up just enough to slice when it’s time to eat.

I hope these picnic ideas make your next outing delicious!

• Sundays – CeeGee from MommieDaze
• Mondays – Tammy from Zucchini Summer
• Tuesdays – Nicole from Momma on Wheels
• Wednesdays – Katie from Gift of Curiosity
• Thursdays – Michelle from The Paper Vine
• Fridays – Terra from Life as a Field Trip
• Saturdays – Amanda from Growing Up Madison