How to pack a muffin tin picnic

It's been so beautiful here in Kentucky over the last couple of days that the girls and I decided to have a picnic. My girls know that the first thing we need is a muffin tin!  Wait- a muffin tin?!?!  Yes! This has been a picky eater trick for toddlers for a long time- to give them small bits of colorful foods in a muffin tin. However, my good eaters still enjoy it and it is a lot easier to quickly pack up a picnic to take somewhere especially if yours has a lid that attaches like mine.

This idea is simple- pack a few things from each category below (I use whatever is on hand) and arrange them colorfully.

Fruits-

Apple slices

Grapes

Melon balls

Raisins or craisins

Blueberries

Strawberries

Veggies-

Pepper slices

Carrots

Cucumber slices

Jicama

Celery sticks

Cherry tomatoes

Sugar snap peas

Proteins-

Nuts

Peanut butter

Cooked and cooled beans

Cubed meats

Cheese cubes

Seeds- my kids love pumpkin seeds

Edamame

Whole grains/fiber-

Crackers

Cereals

Cooked and cooled whole grain pasta

Pirate's Booty

Dips-

Hummus

Greek yogurt ranch dip (I make mine from scratch)

Peanut butter or almond butter

Vanilla yogurt (for fruit)

Again, these are just ideas! Open your fridge and see what you've got that's tiny, and be sure to pack a variety for a healthy picnic.

Note that the muffin tin is made to conduct heat, so if you let it sit directly in the sun it will get hot and so will your food.  So be sure to eat up quickly or sit unde a shade tree!  My kids have no problem gobbling up all the food in no time!

They can't resist sharing with Millie too!

Enjoy your picnic!!!

XOXO,

Catherine