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7.01.2025
Activity Corner - The Great Picnic Pack-Off
It’s National Picnic Month—Let’s Celebrate with Some Family Fun!
By: Dana Preece, Birth-3rd Grade Specialist, Preschool Development Grant B-5, Office of Early Learning and Development, Nevada Department of Education
Grab a blanket, pack some snacks and sandwiches, and head out for an adventure, it’s time for a picnic! Whether it’s in the backyard, at the park, on a hiking trail, or even right on your living room floor, picnics are a playful, screen-free way to connect and make lasting memories with your little ones. Changing up your routine by eating somewhere new—even just outside your door—adds a little spark of excitement to your day. Kids love it, and you’ll love the smiles and laughter that come with it.
A Little Picnic History!Picnics began with French nobility in the 1700s, not outside, but indoors! Each guest would bring a dish or drink to share. Over time, the idea spread to other countries and changed to what we know now as a picnic. As cities grew busier, more middle- and working-class families looked for day trips outside of the city. A picnic became the perfect, affordable way to enjoy a day out, with good food, fresh air, and great company.
What’s a picnic without a picnic basket? - Here’s a fun twist: turn it into a hands-on activity with your child!
Let your child lead the way in creativity and curiosity, it’s all part of the fun!
So go ahead, pick your spot, pack your basket, and make some memories this Picnic Month.
Focus: STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math)
- Science:
- Make predictions – how much can your picnic basket hold?
- Technology:
- Identify nondigital tools – tape dispensers, scissors, stapler, etc.
- Take pictures of your picnic
- Engineering:
- Build a basket with materials found around the house.
- Art:
- Decorate the picnic basket with color, stickers, names, etc.
- Math:
- How many items can you put in your basket?
- Is your basket small, medium, or big?
Materials Needed:
- Basket Base: cardboard box, cereal box, plastic container, paper
- Handles: pipe cleaners, paper, yarn, ribbon, string, or a bendable stick from the yard
- Decorations: markers, crayons, stickers, stamps, paint
- Supplies: tape, scissors, glue
- Extras to add inside: napkins, snack containers, small blanket
6 month - 24 Month Olds
1. Read books about Picnics
Suggested YouTube read alouds
WE'RE GOING ON A PICNIC | STORIES FOR KIDS
The Berenstain Bears: The Bears' PICNIC - Read-Aloud
Freda Plans a Picnic | Kids Books
“What is a picnic?”
“Where would you like to have a picnic?”
2. Gather materials. Go around the house and select items to help you build a basket.
“Do you think this will work for carrying food for our picnic?”
3. Explore items. Show your child each item. Say the name of each item. Allow your child to feel and explore the item.
“This is a cardboard box. It is rectangular and sturdy.”
4. Have your child help you build the basket.
“Can you help put the tape here?”
5. Once the basket is put together, help your child decorate it.
“Should we put this sticker on the front or the back of the basket?”
6. When the basket is complete, start packing your basket.
“What do we need to put in our picnic basket? “
2-5-year-olds
1. Read books about Picnics
Suggested YouTube read alouds
WE'RE GOING ON A PICNIC | STORIES FOR KIDS
The Berenstain Bears: The Bears' PICNIC - Read-Aloud
Freda Plans a Picnic | Kids Books
“What is a picnic?”
“Where would you like to have a picnic?”
“Who would you like to invite to the picnic?”
2. Start planning: talk about and draw out a plan on how you will build your basket.
“How big does you picnic basket need to be?”
“What materials do you need to build your picnic basket?”
“Does your basket need a lid?”
“Should your basket have handles?”
3. Gather materials. Go around the house and select items to help you build a basket.
“Do you think this will work for carrying food for our picnic?”
“What could you use for a lid for your basket?”
“How can you build handles for your basket?”
4. Start building. Use the materials gathered to make a basket.
“Where should we put the sides of the basket?”
“Is the bottom of the basket strong enough to hold everything?”
“Do you need help putting tape on this part?”
5. Decorate your basket.
“Do you want to decorate your basket with paint, markers, stickers or something else?”
“Would you like to put your name on the basket?”
6.Test your basket.
“Can your basket hold food?”
“How much can your basket hold?”
“Do you need to add or change anything on your basket?”
7. Pack your basket and go on a picnic!
Extension: Fuzzy Friends Picnic
Have a pretend picnic with stuffed animals. Set a blanket out and greet your guests. Unpack your basket and serve your stuffed animal’s food from your basket. Practices taking turns and manners.
“What are Mr. Bears favorite snacks?”
“How has your week been Ms. Bunny?”
“Would you like juice or water baby frog?”
First 5 Nevada Resources to Support Brain Development
- Vroom! offers resources for families and providers to help turn everyday activities into opportunities to improve brain development.
- Developmental Milestones are skills and behaviors that babies and young children experience at certain stages as they grow. Review the milestones by age, download the Developmental Milestones checklist, or the CDC’s Milestone Tracker App.
- Learn More: Read the First 5 Nevada article “Early Childhood Brain Development” to learn about the 5 Keys to Understanding and Supporting Brain Development or “The Science of Early Childhood Development” from the Harvard Center on the Developing Child.
