There’s something magical about a picnic. Fresh air, sunshine, yummy snacks, and lots of giggles — it’s one of the simplest ways to enjoy quality time with family. If you’re a parent, you already know how excited kids get when they hear the word “picnic.” Sometimes, the excitement starts long before you step outside — and that’s where picnic crafts come in!
Crafting around a theme not only builds anticipation, but also helps children develop fine motor skills, creativity, and imagination. Many families rediscovered the joy of indoor picnics during the lockdown days — blankets on the floor, stuffed toys invited as guests, and homemade lemonade in small cups. Today, thankfully, we can enjoy picnics at the park again — but the creative picnic spirit can continue with fun craft time!
With National Picnic Day on April 23, National Picnic Month in July, and Teddy Bear Picnic Day on July 10, you have plenty of reasons to celebrate. Whether you’re planning an outdoor feast in the sunshine or a cozy pretend picnic indoors, these 10 Picnic Crafts for Kids will spark imagination and bring smiles all around.
Let’s pack our imaginary basket and begin!
1. Paper Picnic Basket Craft
A picnic isn’t complete without a basket! Kids can create their very own mini picnic baskets using paper or cardstock.
How to make it:
Cut strips of colored paper and weave them together to form a basket pattern. Add a sturdy paper handle and decorate with stickers or crayons.
Learning skills:
✔ Fine motor weaving skills
✔ Pattern recognition
✔ Pretend play setup
When the basket is finished, children can fill it with pretend foods or tiny toys — perfect for pretend picnic playtime.
2. Picnic Blanket Weaving Craft
Introduce your child to simple weaving by helping them design a mini picnic blanket.
Materials: colored paper, scissors, glue
Cut slits into one sheet, then weave colored strips through — forming a checkered blanket like classic picnic cloth patterns. Kids can glue paper fruits and sandwiches on top for extra creativity.
Learning skills:
✔ Early math & patterns
✔ Hand-eye coordination
✔ Color recognition
This makes a sweet display for the refrigerator, and it gets kids thinking about picnic foods!
3. Paper Plate Watermelon Craft
Watermelons are the unofficial mascot of summertime picnics. This classic craft is always a hit with younger kids.
How to make it:
Paint a paper plate red in the middle and green around the edges. Add black dots for seeds. For extra fun, add glitter or textured sponge paint.
Learning skills:
✔ Understanding food themes
✔ Sensory texture play
✔ Creativity & painting skills
A bright watermelon craft can also double as pretend picnic food later.
4. Cupcake-Liner Picnic Food Craft
Cupcake liners are perfect for creating picnic snacks like cupcakes, fruit bowls, and sandwiches!
Flatten liners and let kids turn them into treats using markers, pompoms, foam cutouts, and soy crayons. Create grapes, berries, tiny sandwiches — anything their little creative minds dream up.
Learning skills:
✔ Imaginative thinking
✔ Fine motor cutting and pasting
✔ Shape recognition
These are great for pretend play picnics afterward!
5. Little Ant Fingerprint Art
What’s a picnic without the ants trying to crash it? Kids can make cute ant fingerprint paintings.
Dip fingers in washable black paint and press onto paper to create ant bodies. Add tiny legs and antennae with a marker. Draw picnic food around them for a funny “ant invasion” scene.
Learning skills:
✔ Sensory experience
✔ Learning about insects
✔ Humor + creative expression
Kids always giggle at the idea of ants “stealing” their food!
6. Teddy Bear Picnic Craft
For Teddy Bear Picnic Day, children can create their own teddy bear characters and picnic scenes.
Use brown paper shapes or felt to assemble a bear. Add googly eyes, a bow, and a little picnic mat cut from paper. Draw tiny sandwiches, fruits, and juice boxes beside your teddy.
Learning skills:
✔ Storytelling & imaginative thinking
✔ Animal craft skills
✔ Early character design
Set up a real teddy bear picnic afterwards for even more fun.
7. DIY Pretend Sandwiches (Felt or Paper)
Let kids “prepare” sandwiches by layering pretend cheese, lettuce, tomato slices, bread, and more.
Felt sheets work well, but paper cut-outs are just as fun. Kids can stack and re-stack ingredients while learning food vocabulary.
Learning skills:
✔ Sequencing
✔ Vocabulary building
✔ Role-play kitchen skills
Encourage them to “serve” lunches to family members or teddy bears!
8. Ladybug & Butterfly Picnic Friends
Picnics mean sunshine, and sunshine means bugs — the cute kind! Ladybug and butterfly crafts are perfect picnic companions.
Use clothespins, pipe cleaners, and craft foam to make fun flying insects. Add tiny dots and bright wings.
Learning skills:
✔ Nature appreciation
✔ Hand-eye coordination
✔ Spring-themed creativity
These make adorable picnic table decorations.
9. Recycled Paper Bag Snack Holder
Turn a simple lunch bag into a decorated picnic snack pouch.
Let kids draw flowers, cut grass shapes, or tape cut-outs onto the bag. They can fill it with real snacks or pretend treats for play.
Learning skills:
✔ Upcycling awareness
✔ Creativity & decoration skills
✔ Practical everyday craft
Great for real park outings to carry popcorn or fruit!
10. Picnic Scene Collage
Kids can create their own picnic world on paper.
Provide magazines, stickers, colored paper, crayons, and glue. Let them build a scene with grass, trees, food, blankets, and family members.
Learning skills:
✔ Composition & arrangement
✔ Storytelling
✔ Visual expression
Ask them questions like: “What snacks did we bring?” or “Who came to the picnic?” to build narrative confidence.
Tips for Parents & Teachers
- Encourage hands-on craft time before outdoor picnics
- Display your child’s artwork for confidence building
- Let kids explain their picnic scene or craft story
- Involve them in real picnic planning — food choices, packing, setup
- Pair crafts with books or teddy bear pretend parties
Picnic crafts do more than entertain — they help create family memories, imagination, and meaningful bonding moments.