What could be better than a picnic at the beach for a family dinner outing? Sand in your toes, the roar of the ocean a walk on the beach, and a roaring fire to gather around. If you aren't lucky enough to live near the ocean, a lake, pond, creek or fountain will do. Or simply put blankets down in the back yard. A few easy dinner recipes for a picnic at the beach then later when it gets dark you can do some star gazing.
What you need:
1.) A place to go. Choose a local beach, preferably with fire pits or BBQs. One with a bit of shelter from the wind is ideal. It will keep the sand out of your food later.
2.) Fire -- a fire ring, BBQ, or create your own. You can bring a small portable BBQ or dig a pit and line it with stones. If you are making your own fire pit it is great to involve the whole family in the digging, the hunt for stones, and the search for firewood. It is a good idea to bring a grill to set on top of stones on your firepit. And I always bring some backup firewood in case the search for wood turns up less than an adequate supply.
3.) Seating. A picnic bench, folding chairs or a huge old quilt or blanket are wonderful to sit on fireside. Bring several so as the day gets cooler you can all be near the fire and you can switch sides as the wind direction changes to avoid getting smoke on your eyes.
4.) Games. It is a great idea to bring some games or toys to occupy the troops until dinner time. A bucket and shovel are classic beach toys and the basis of any good sand castle. It's really amazing how the sand itself is entertaining for kids to play with. It's like at Christmas when all the little kids love to play in the boxes and wrapping; take them to the beach and they love the sand. Of course later they'll have it in every crevice, but that's a price well worth paying for a good afternoon at the beach. Beach balls are another good choice, as are Frisbees. Bring another bucket if you've got a shell collector. They'll spend hours combing the beach for treasures. You can make a game of collecting sea shells and sea glass and have a craft day later where you turn your treasures into a craft such as decorated picture frames.
5.) A camera. Since we may be making some decorated picture frames later with our collected shells, we may as well bring the camera and capture some sun and sand-logged goofiness on film. I love a shot from the end of the day when everyone is pink and sandy, tired and happy.
