Raring2go! Watford

14 raring2go .co.uk Raring2go! THE GREAT OUTDOORS Easy Peasy Picnic ideas... Silly Sarnies - Make mini sandwiches in fun shapes using cutters or make double decker ones. Vary the bread – be daring try mixing white & brown, try wraps, mini baguettes or pitta bread. Straw Kebabs make kebabs using straws – thread on slices of rolled up ham or turkey with cubes of cheese, cherry tomatoes, red pepper or chunks of cucumber. Fruit Kebabs – as above but use chunks of pineapple, grapes, strawberries etc. A tub of humus or dip with carrot & cucumber batons & breadsticks. Instead of crisps try lightly salted popcorn or mini rice cakes. Home made pizza – use bought bases or baguettes cut in half – top with a little tomato puree, cheese & favourite toppings. Pasta or couscous salad with tuna, sweetcorn and cucumber plus a little mayonnaise or try a ham and pasta salad with tomato, grated carrot, shredded lettuce & a little of their favourite dressing. “Blue Peter Tea” My kids love to assemble their own wraps so I often just take along the components & leave them to it – they call it a “Blue Peter Tea” i.e make it yourself! For the wraps – Try ham, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, grapes, cubes of cheese, egg mayonnaise, coleslaw, tuna, raisins etc Finger Foods – Grapes & berries, slices of malt loaf, flapjack – they don’t melt! Don’t forget to keep your food cool in a thermal bag with frozen blocks. Tubes of fromage frais freeze well & make great mini cool blocks in packed lunches too! )DPLO\ )RRG K ids love a picnic – even if its in the back garden they love eating outdoors! If its raining – don’t worry have a carpet picnic in the living room! Here are a few tips & some of our personal family favourites that get the kids involved in the kitchen. g K ids love gardens & growing things - when gardening with youngsters, try to think like they do & get imaginative! Jack and the Beanstalk Garden – plant some magic beans (dwarf French beans are good) protected by Jack the Scarecrow. Pizza Garden – a round garden ideal for a large container - dwarf tomatoes, peppers, onions, oregano, and marigolds (to represent cheese). Cinderella’s Garden – pumpkins & easy flowers like cornflowers or love in a mist – all easy to grow from seed. Fairy Ring – in Autumn plant a circle of bulbs such as crocuses in the lawn & wait ‘til spring! Smelly Garden – full of fragrant plants like lemon balm, mint, lavender & chives. Mr McGreggors Garden – lettuces, Carrots and greens ! Radishes are quick and easy to grow too. Bugs Welcome Garden – welcome friendly bugs & beetles with flowers such as nasturtiums, candytuft & marigolds. Include a small wood pile for bugs to hide in too. Bird Friendly Garden – make some bird feeders & nest boxes out of recycled items, remember to leave a large shallow dish of water out for them to drink & use for a bath - visit www.rspb.org.uk for lots of ideas. Fun Recycled Containers – plant flowers in recycled items – anything goes from Dad’s old walking boots, outgrown wellies or even juice cartons - any interesting objects you have, make sure to put holes in so water can drain away though! 5DULQJ JURZ