4 Step Guide To The Perfect Family Easter Picnic

March 23, 2016 - 4 min read

Thinking about taking your Easter celebrations outdoors? Easter picnics are a great way for family and friends to get together, share a few laughs and create some long-lasting memories. Check out our tips for planning the perfect Easter picnic.

4 Steps for Planning the Perfect Easter Picnic

If you’re not sure where to start, check out our guide to the perfect Easter family picnic. From creating Easter-themed snacks to organising a large-scale Easter egg hunt, we’ve thought of it all (and even included a picnic essentials checklist)!


1. Check The Weather & Pick A Good Location

When choosing a park, remember that you’re going to spend most of the afternoon there. So toilet facilities, shade and play equipment is essential. If it’s a popular park, get down early to secure prime position.
It’s always important to have an indoor location organised as a plan B. That way if Mother Nature decides to spoil your picnic, you won’t be left hiding away in the car.


2. Prepare Easter-Themed Picnic Snacks

It’s not a proper picnic without delicious snacks! We’ve got some fun and nutritious picnic recipes to help get your family in the Easter spirit.
These recipes are so easy, the whole family can get involved!
We suggest preparing your picnic food the night before, so you’re ready to hit the road first thing in the morning.

Sweat Treats

Deliciously Healthy Hot Cross Buns

There’s no tastier Easter treat than mouthwatering hot cross buns. High in carbs and sugar, these traditional temptations have never been great for your waistline… until now!
This healthy hot cross bun recipe has less sugar and more natural ingredients than popular highly processed packaged varieties.
Healthy Hot Cross Bun Recipe
Makes: 15
Ingredients:

  • 3 cups of whole spelt flour
  • ½ cup of rolled oats
  • 2 tsp of ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp of salt
  • 3 tsp of baking powder
  • 1/3 cup of dried blueberries
  • 2 free-range eggs
  • ¼ cup of coconut oil
  • 2 tbsp of honey
  • 1 tsp of vanilla bean paste
  • ½ cup of almond milk (or milk of your choice)
  • 100g of chopped dark chocolate

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°c.
  2. Add flour, oats, cinnamon, salt and dried blueberries together in a bowl.
  3. Sift in baking powder to mixture and stir well.
  4. Add 1 egg, 50g of chopped dark chocolate, honey, vanilla bean paste and coconut oil. Stir well.
  5. Add milk into the mixture until it forms a sticky dough texture.
  6. Using floured hands, roll handfuls of the mixture into balls and place them onto the baking tray.
  7. Bake until golden brown (approx. 10 mins).
  8. Temper the remaining 50g of dark chocolateand draw a cross on the finished buns.

Don’t eat them all at once!

Wholesome Snacks

Easter Bunny Veggie Tray

Using different sized rolls, a cob loaf, a couple of loaves of French bread, dip, veggies and your imagination, the whole family will love creating and devouring this tasty dish (that looks just like an Easter bunny). Check out the full recipe.
Bunny Brunch Burrito

The whole family will love making the Bunny Brunch Burrito. Simply stuff a burrito with tasty fillings of your choice, fold up the bottom and sides, then cut a slit into the top and fold some ears. For added decoration, use a couple of pieces of tomato for the eyes, a piece of carrot for the nose and chives for the whiskers.


3. Easter Picnic Essentials Checklist

There’s nothing worse than getting all the way to the park, only to realise you’ve left something behind. It’s time to get organised! Save yourself time and stress with the LocalSearch Easter Picnic Essentials Checklist:

  • Picnic basket
  • Esky & ice
  • Food
  • Drinks (especially water)
  • Plastic cups, plates & cutlery
  • Sun protection (hats, sunglasses & sunscreen)
  • Garbage bags
  • Insect repellent
  • Picnic blanket
  • Napkins
  • Equipment for Easter games (see below)
  • Folding chairs
  • Wireless speakers
  • Mini first aid kit

Print the LocalSearch Easter picnic essentials checklist so you have a copy for yourself!


4. Get The Kids Exploring With An Easter Egg Hunt

What kid doesn’t love an Easter egg hunt? This fun traditional Easter activity lets the little ones become treasure hunters for the day, on the quest for chocolatey gold!
If you want your Easter egg hunt to be a success, you will need to add a couple of supplies to your Easter picnic essentials checklist.
These supplies include:

  • 10 Easter eggs per participant
  • 1 wicker basket per participant
  • A prize for the winner (plush toy, big chocolate bunny, book etc.)

On the day, have a family member ensure all the kids close their eyes, while you hide Easter eggs in all corners of the park—remember to be a little creative with your hiding spots if you want the game to last.
Tip: To keep the game fair, assign each child a specific colour of egg to collect. This ensures everybody gets their fair share!
Keep count of the total number of Easter eggs, as the game is not over until they’ve all been discovered. The person with the most eggs is the winner!
Has the fun ended too soon? Don’t worry! We’ve got a selection of other Easter games to choose from: