Winter Picnic Ideas
When the snow starts falling and you're looking for ideas to have a good time, a winter picnic may not seem like an obvious choice. Sure, it's cold out - but you can still have tons of fun! All those winter activities that you and the kids love to do when it's snowing such as sledding, making snowmen, and ice skating can be arranged around a wonderful outdoor picnic, with a picnic basket or backpack stuffed full of hot comforting foods and drinks. The kids will be so excited to have some hot cocoa after they've had a good snowball fight or made snow angels. Give them a candy cane to stir it with to make it extra fun. You could pack two thermoses - one full of a hot beverage, and one with some delicious soup or chili. Spicy foods are especially great for winter picnics, because they'll really go the extra mile to warm you up. Just be sure to bundle up well!
Romantic picnics are magical in the winter time - snowflakes falling, everything glimmering around you, and some hot cider or perhaps mulled wine can really set the mood. Have dinner over an open fire - roast marshmallows, vegetable and meat kebabs, or put some rice and veggies into a pouch of aluminum foil and throw it into the fire, retrieving it with tongs. It will have that delicious fire-roasted flavor, and be piping hot. Or, you could break the grill out of its winter hibernation and cook up a savory meal of steak, chicken, or fish. Plan your winter meal around a special winter activity, such as taking a horse-driven sleigh ride through a park, or going horseback riding. Be sure to have some folding picnic chairs or a waterproof picnic blanket to protect you from the cold, wet ground.
Not willing to brave the cold weather? Turn your living room into a summer vacation for the day! Lay out a picnic blanket, break out your picnic basket and arrange houseplants so it really feels like you're outside. You could even create a little tent, or canopy, out of sheets or other fabric. Kids absolutely love this - have them dress in their summer clothes, sandals, and wear sunglasses. You could have them play indoor-appropriate summertime games. They'll forget it's even winter, and will beg you to do it again next year. Turn it into a romantic affair by lighting candles, opening a bottle of champagne and putting on some soft music. Your loved one will be surprised and delighted by your efforts, and it will surely be a memorable date!
Be sure to check out our Delicious Cold Weather Picnic Recipes for some meal ideas, as well as Picnicking in Autumn for those who live in areas with mild winter weather.
