Have a Delightful Storytime Picnic Outdoors this Spring

Gathering for a Fun Storytime Picnic

As the weather warms up and spring approaches, it's the perfect time to plan a fun outdoor picnic combined with storytime! This type of event brings people together to enjoy good food, bonding time, and the magic of books read aloud. When organizing your own storytime picnic, there are a few key things to consider so that everyone has an enjoyable time.

Pick the Perfect Picnic Spot

First, pick an ideal location for your storytime picnic. Look for parks with open grassy areas that can accommodate your group size. Make sure there is enough space to sit comfortably and listen to stories being read. See if you can find a spot with shade trees in case the weather gets too hot. Some great picnic areas have picnic tables available too.

Scout out the location ahead of time to see if there is access to bathrooms and drinking fountains as well. Nothing ruins a fun day like lack of facilities when needed! If it’s going to be a very large group, check if the park requires event permits for gatherings over a certain size.

Plan a Kid-Friendly Menu

No picnic is complete without yummy food! When planning your menu, opt for hearty, kid-friendly foods that are also easy to transport and eat outdoors. Some great options include sandwiches, fruit slices, carrot sticks, crackers, cheese, individually packed chips, and cookies or brownies.

Don’t forget to include beverage options like juice boxes, water bottles and thermoses filled with lemonade or iced tea. Having a mix of healthy snacks plus sweet treats makes for a well-rounded picnic meal.

Keep food safety in mind too when choosing menu items. Avoid ingredients that could easily spoil sitting out at room temperature for several hours. Insulated coolers and ice packs help preserve dairy, meat and other perishable picnic foods.

Pick a Theme for Storytime

What will make your picnic extra special is incorporating a fun storytime theme. Pick stories that tie into your chosen theme, which helps create excitement and gets the kids even more engaged. Some great storytime picnic themes include:

• Forest animals or habitats
• Dinosaurs or dragons
• Princes and princesses
• Pirates and adventures
• Camping

Look for both fiction and non-fiction books that match your unique theme. Mixing real world facts with imaginary tales appeals to a wide age range. Don't be afraid to act things out and use funny voices either!

Bring Along Picnic Blankets & Extras

A few essential items will take your storytime picnic from good to great. First, bring enough picnic blankets so everyone has somewhere soft and dry to sit on the ground. Foldable camping chairs are nice too, for older folks who want more support.

Gather an assortment of outdoor games to keep kids occupied before and after the storytelling takes place like bean bag toss, giant bubble wands, sidewalk chalk, or outdoor bowling sets. Bring a few activity mats too for baby storytime participants.

Don't forget sunscreen, bug spray, a first aid kit, wet wipes for cleanup, and garbage bags. Extras like stickers, bookmarks, or coloring sheets themed to the book topics make for fun take home gifts too.

The Magic of Reading Outdoors

There is just something special about listening to stories while gathered together enjoying a spring picnic outdoors. Kids and parents alike will discover that storytime takes on a whole new dimension when combined creatively with elements of nature all around.

Reading outdoors gives young minds a chance to strengthen connections between the real world around them and the imaginary places books can take them. A picnic engages multiple senses too, with sounds, textures, sights and smells that subconsciously boost comprehension, interest and memory.

So check the weather, pick your location, select your stories and get ready for a magical storytime picnic this season! Just don't forget to take plenty of photos to remember all the fun.

FAQs

What if it rains on the day I planned my storytime picnic?

Have a backup indoor location planned just in case, like a roomy basement, library meeting room or covered patio area. You can also opt to reschedule if the forecast calls for heavy rain.

How long should my storytime picnic last?

Plan for 1-2 hours of storytelling and activities. Short attention spans mean little ones will get antsy sitting still too long. Adult accompanying the kids need breaks too!

How many kids can I invite to my storytime picnic?

This depends on your location size and if you'll have enough adults to manage behavioral issues. Groups larger than 20 kids can become chaotic. Stick under 12 children if you'll be alone.

What age range works best for a mixed audience story picnic?

Aim for kids aged 3-8 years old as your target audience. Have some books geared specifically for your youngest and oldest attendees too though to keep all engaged.