Memorial Day Picnic & Gratitude

Memorial Day is fast approaching, marking the unofficial start of summer! If you are planning to get away for the long weekend or are just looking for a fun way to celebrate at home, getting outside for a picnic is always a must. Whether you are grilling at home, lying out a blanket in the backyard, or traveling to a special destination, we’ve got all the tips you need to have a successful Memorial Day with your kids. Keep reading for our Memorial Day picnic guide, including great prep tips, patriotic snack ideas, and how to help your children understand and appreciate the holiday.

Picnic Prep Tips

Picnics are fun and a great way to mix up breakfast, lunch, or dinner time with your kids. One of the best things you can do is prep as much as you can beforehand so that the day of the picnic goes smoothly and everyone has what they need. This includes blankets and seating, utensils, and on-the-go mealware.

Blankets and Seating

When you picture a picnic, the first thing that comes to mind is a large blanket with a basket on it. Blankets are essential for any picnic, so make sure you pack one that you don’t mind getting dirty, is waterproof in case the grass is damp, and maybe even has some padding in case your children like to jump and roll around.

In many cases, adults don’t exactly enjoy sitting on a blanket. If this is the case with your family, whether it is uncomfortable or there are health issues, grab some camping chairs or bleacher seats with a back to ensure comfort for the whole family.

Utensils, Cups, and Wipes

Don’t forget the little things! Utensils, cups, and wipes are super important for Memorial Day picnics. Whether you’re wiping down dirty hands, a dirty blanket, or cleaning up an inevitable spill, pack plenty of napkins for the adventure.

Din Din SMART All Stainless Spoon & Fork Set is a great option for kids because it comes with its own case. Sized just right for kids, our cutlery set is also perfect for home, especially for children transitioning from toddler utensils to larger-sized cutlery (just like mom and dad's!). Made from high-quality, type 304, food-grade stainless steel, they are dishwasher safe and awesome for picnics or school lunches.

On-the-Go Mealware

Speaking of utensils, on-the-go mealware is obviously an important part of picnics. Packing and transporting food can be tricky to ensure it all stays warm (or cool) up until it is time to eat. While lunchboxes have mastered this, bringing food in larger volumes (like family picnics) can be a little bit more of a challenge.

Stainless Divided Lunchboxes

Meal prep is super easy with Innobaby’s Stainless Divided Lunchboxes. Made in three different sizes, these little wonders have a removable divider so you can customize your lunch to your needs, rather than being restricted to other compartments!

They will keep your food warm or cool for hours, plenty of time for you to travel to your favorite picnic spot, set up, enjoy the environment, and eat whenever you’re ready.

These boxes are also top rack dishwasher safe, freezer safe, BPA free, phthalate free, PVC free, and lead free. Plus, they make a great alternative to classic sandwich bags because they are washable and reusable, eliminating excess waste. Ideal for zero-waste school lunches.

Patriotic Snack Ideas

One of the most fun ways for parents to celebrate any holiday with their kids is by making them smile with their food! Whether it is Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or even Memorial Day, parents love to theme their kids’ food for the holiday.

If you want some fun ways to celebrate Memorial Day through creative food presentations, we have you covered with some simple and easy things you can do!

Easy Flag Fruit Platter

Grab a rectangle-shaped platter and create a fruit flag with strawberries or watermelon for the red stripes, bananas for the white stripes, and a square of blueberries for the upper left corner of the flag. Instead of bananas, you can also use yogurt or whipped cream!

Red, White, and Blue Charcuterie

If your kids are anything like mine, they absolutely love cheese. A big hit for any party that everybody loves, especially a family picnic, is a charcuterie board. A simple way you can elevate it for Memorial Day is by using white cheeses, salami or pepperoni slices, and blueberries for a red, white, and blue-themed platter.

Including Your Kids in Gratitude and Reflection

While Memorial Day picnics are BBQ’s are synonymous with fun, summer, and family, it is important to remember what the holiday is all about, as well.

Here is some history you can teach your kids about Memorial Day:

In 1950, President Harry S. Truman issued a proclamation that broadened the purpose of Memorial Day. He called on Americans to also observe the holiday as a day of prayer for peace. President Richard M. Nixon declared Memorial Day a federal holiday in 1971.

Memorial Day is now observed every year on the last Monday of May. It honors the members of the U.S. military who died in American wars. One of the biggest Memorial Day traditions is for the president or vice president to give a speech. Another is for the president or vice president to lay a wreath on soldiers’ graves in the largest U.S. military burial ground, Arlington National Cemetery, in Virginia.

Most towns have local Memorial Day celebrations.

Here are some ways you can honor those who have served our country.

• Put flags or flowers on the graves of people who served in wars.
• Fly the U.S. flag at half-mast until noon.
• Visit monuments dedicated to soldiers, sailors, and marines.
• Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time.
• March in a parade.

[source: https://www.timeforkids.com/g56/the-history-of-memorial-day/ ]

For more great on-the-go mealtime MVP’s, parenting tips, and ways to celebrate holidays with your family, visit us at Innobaby.com!