Picnics With Purpose: How to Make Outdoor Mealtimes an Adventure

At Little Trekkers, we believe every meal outdoors can become a mini adventure, and it doesn’t have to take much planning! Here are our favourite ways to turn an ordinary picnic into something truly special for curious little explorers:

Pick a “mystery spot”
Let the kids choose a spot on the map and hike there together. The walk becomes half the fun, and arriving feels like a real discovery.

Add a scavenger hunt
Before you unpack the sandwiches, hand out a quick scavenger hunt list: spot a butterfly, find a pine cone, listen for birdsong. It keeps little ones engaged and sharpens their observation skills.

Get hands-on with nature crafts
Bring along a roll of string or a small nature journal. Kids can make leaf crowns, twig sculptures or sketch what they see around them while you prep lunch.

Storytime under the trees
Pack a short nature-themed storybook, or make up your own tale about forest fairies, woodland animals or brave little trekkers on a quest!

Leave no trace
Make tidying up part of the adventure. Give everyone a “cleanup mission” so your picnic spot stays as beautiful as you found it.

Top tip: Keep it simple! Even a short walk to a nearby park can feel magical with a bit of imagination and a spirit of exploration.

Here’s to more picnics that are full of laughter, learning and a little bit of wild wonder!