Easy Picnic Recipes and Ideas for Children This Summer

There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about packing up a picnic on a warm summer's morning. A wicker basket (or, if you're like me, a rather overstuffed cool bag!), a cosy picnic blanket, and a few homemade treats are all you need for a day of adventure.

Living in Dorset, we're spoiled for choice when it comes to picnic spots. Whether it's overlooking the sea at Ringstead Bay, sitting beneath the trees at Wareham Forest, or enjoying the views across the rolling countryside, food somehow always tastes better outdoors.

The best picnic food doesn't need to be complicated either. Children are often happiest with simple, colourful meals they can pick up with little fingers and enjoy between games of football, shell collecting or chasing butterflies.

Here are some of my favourite easy picnic ideas that are quick to prepare and perfect for summer days.

Rainbow Sandwich Roll-Ups

Instead of traditional sandwiches, try making colourful sandwich roll-ups.

Simply flatten slices of bread with a rolling pin, spread with cream cheese or soft cheese, then add fillings such as grated carrot, cucumber, ham or sliced peppers before rolling tightly and slicing into little pinwheels.

They're easy for children to hold and always disappear quickly.

Mini Homemade Sausage Rolls

Nothing says British picnic quite like a homemade sausage roll.

Using ready-rolled puff pastry makes these incredibly simple. Cut into smaller portions so they're perfect for little hands, and they taste just as delicious cold as they do warm.

Serve with cherry tomatoes and cucumber sticks for a balanced lunch.

Fruity Yoghurt Pots

Layer Greek yoghurt with fresh strawberries, blueberries and raspberries before sprinkling over a little homemade granola.

Keep them chilled in a cool bag until lunchtime.

They're refreshing, healthy and feel like a real summer treat.

Cheese and Veggie Skewers

Children often enjoy food that's a little different.

Thread cubes of cheddar, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, grapes and pieces of pepper onto small wooden skewers.

They're colourful, fun to eat and require very little preparation.

Mini Pasta Salad

Cold pasta is always popular on warm days.

Mix cooked pasta with sweetcorn, diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes and cubes of cheddar, then toss with a little olive oil and a squeeze of lemon.

It's filling without feeling heavy.

Homemade Pizza Muffins

These little savoury muffins are perfect for picnics.

Simply add grated cheese, chopped peppers, sweetcorn and a little ham to your favourite savoury muffin mixture.

They're easy to transport and stay fresh for several hours.

Fresh Fruit Kebabs

Summer fruit is one of nature's greatest pleasures.

Thread strawberries, melon, grapes, blueberries and chunks of pineapple onto skewers for a colourful dessert.

Children love eating fruit this way, and it's far less messy than sliced fruit in a container.

Homemade Flapjacks

A good flapjack has become something of a picnic tradition in our house.

Made with oats, butter, golden syrup and a handful of raisins or dried cranberries, they're filling enough to keep hungry little explorers going all afternoon.

Wrap them individually so they're easy to pop into the picnic basket.

Crunchy Vegetable Pots

Fill small containers with carrot sticks, cucumber, sugar snap peas and baby sweetcorn.

Serve alongside hummus or a soft cheese dip.

They're fresh, crunchy and ideal on hot days.

Mini Scotch Pancakes

Scotch pancakes are wonderfully versatile.

Spread them with cream cheese and strawberries, peanut butter and banana (if your children can eat nuts), or simply serve them plain with a handful of fresh berries.

They're quick, filling and easy to pack.

Drinks to Keep Everyone Cool

Don't forget plenty of drinks.

Freeze bottles of water overnight so they'll slowly thaw throughout the day, helping to keep the rest of your picnic cool too.

Homemade fruit-infused water with slices of lemon, orange, cucumber or strawberries also makes a refreshing change from sugary drinks.

Little Extras That Make Picnics Special

Sometimes it's the little touches children remember most.

Why not include:

• A homemade treasure hunt list.

• A frisbee or football.

• A pack of bubbles.

• Magnifying glasses for bug spotting.

• Buckets and nets if you're heading to the beach.

• A deck of cards for a quiet moment after lunch.

A picnic soon becomes much more than just a meal.

My Top Picnic Packing Tips

A little preparation makes all the difference.

Use reusable containers to reduce waste, freeze drinks overnight to help keep food cool, and always pack plenty of napkins—you'll almost certainly need them!

If you're visiting one of Dorset's beautiful beaches or countryside spots, remember to take all your rubbish home and leave everything just as you found it.

It's a simple way to help keep Dorset looking beautiful for everyone.

Summer Days to Remember

The older I get, the more I realise that children rarely remember expensive outings.

They remember sticky fingers from homemade flapjacks, spotting crabs in rock pools, racing across wide open fields and sharing strawberries on a picnic blanket.

Those simple moments become the stories that are told for years to come.

So this summer, don't worry about creating the perfect picnic.

Pack a few homemade treats, head out into Dorset's beautiful countryside or down to the coast, and enjoy spending time together.

After all, the best ingredient in any picnic is the company you share it with.