Planning a family picnic? Before you can get that tartan blanket spread on the ground, you’ll need to do some forward thinking. Picnic food needs to be both transportable – so you need a picnic basket that is solid and fit for purpose with lots of compartments – and easy to eat with your fingers, or else the kids (and probably you) will end up covered in food. You’ll need to select a grassy spot for your picnic, preferably with some shade and perhaps a play area nearby to keep toddlers occupied. Be mindful of the UK’s unpredictable weather too, although if it should start raining, the kids will probably be just as happy under a makeshift tent made out of sheets in your living room.

In a rush to get your family picnic together? Don’t forget that cooking is a fun, educational and practical way of spending time with your children, so why not dole out the aprons and get them involved in making dishes for your day out? No time to slave over the cooker? One of the easiest and quickest treats to make for kids is a snack board full of all their favourite edible goodies, such as rolled ham, Cheddar cheese cubes, crackers, bite-sized cherry tomatoes, peeled satsumas or grapes, and a few sweet treats which they can pick from – guaranteed to be a huge success!

Creating a picnic out of finger food means you won’t have to worry about packing up dirty crockery – just grab a few paper plates and you’re on your way! Take easily eaten handheld food like Cornish pasties and sausage rolls (both are available in vegetarian and vegan versions, and you can eat them on the go) or homemade salmon and cucumber sushi using wholemeal bread spread with cottage cheese instead of sticky rice. All kids will crave something sweet for pudding, so compromise between sugar and health with tightly wrapped tortillas filled with Greek yoghurt and thin slices of seasonal fruits like kiwis, strawberries and mangoes, or keep it simple with fruit kebabs.

Whether you’re at home or taking a family break in the UK, you need to know that the kids are eating healthily. When preparing a picnic, stock up on organic fruit and veg, and source bread or pittas made with whole wheat or wholegrains for extra energy-giving fibre. Make up simple salads using quinoa, tabbouleh, wild rice or whole-grain pastas, and include healthy fats in the form of bowls of nuts, pumpkin seeds or olives. Try nutritious carrot, red pepper or cucumber sticks to dip into dishes like hummus, sour cream or salsa, or add a guacamole dip made from chopped avocados, tomatoes and coriander flavoured with garlic, cumin and lime juice.

With spring on its way, Easter is an ideal time to get together with family for a bank-holiday weekend picnic in a London park – they are free to access, after all. Just keep your fingers crossed that the April showers stay away! When making your picnic, include shop-bought hot cross buns and Scotch eggs (both are traditional British seasonal favourites) or conjure up delicious egg-and-mayo sandwiches made into Easter bunny shapes with a cookie cutter. Don’t forget a decent helping of chocolate – possibly also in the shape of an Easter bunny, egg or chick – for a sweet treat after the main event.

Staying in Edinburgh and heading to Firth of Forth beaches with the kids? Stock up on net food covers to stop your summer picnic goodies getting covered in sand, and get together a surprise picnic of filled baguettes and sweet or savoury wraps (all easier to eat than ordinary sandwiches). Alternatively, check in advance to make sure barbecues are allowed on your chosen beach, and grill easy recipes like chicken, tomato and red pepper skewers marinated in honey, turning occasionally until the chicken is cooked through. To round off the beach picnic, toast marshmallows on the flames to recreate your childhood memories.

• A blanket and picnic hamper.
• Cool boxes and ice packs to keep everything as chilled as possible. 
• Salt, pepper and other condiments.
• Crockery, cutlery, glasses and napkins.
• Hand wipes for cleaning everybody up before and after eating.
• Sun lotion and sun hats – yes, even in the uncertain British climate. 
• Insect repellent to stave off any midge attacks.
• Bags to stow any leftovers or rubbish.
• Some age-appropriate entertainment for the kids.
• And finally… a corkscrew for your treat: a nicely chilled bottle of white wine.

Wherever you choose to picnic in the British countryside, and whatever you decide to eat, enjoy making memories with your kids in the fresh air!