Grandma's Old Fashioned Picnic Food Ideas

Grandma's Old fashioned picnic food ideas bring back the charm of simpler times, when families gathered on checkered blankets to share homemade delights and create lasting memories. From classic sandwich combinations to sweet treats that Grandma used to make, these time-tested recipes and tips will help you plan the perfect outdoor feast.

Whether you're planning a summer afternoon by the lake or a cozy winter gathering, these traditional picnic foods will make your outdoor dining experience truly special.

Old Fashioned Picnic Food Ideas: Timeless Recipes for Outdoor Dining

Fresh Fruits for Picnic Snacks

Fresh fruits in season are so easy to carry on picnics and make the perfect easy-to-prepare dessert after a tasty lunch of homemade sandwiches.

Old Fashioned Picnic Ideas: Cherished Memories from the Farm

Farm Life and Family Picnics

Living in a farming community meant that vacations were mostly reserved for city people. There was always plenty of farm work to be done, and the farm animals needed to be looked after daily, including Saturday and Sunday.

So, taking a week off was impossible. However, there were times when work could be set aside for an afternoon so everybody could enjoy a family picnic.

On an especially warm day, we would go to a favorite area on our farm for a picnic supper. On the hilltop in the upper field, there were shady trees, cool breezes, and a wonderful panoramic view of the countryside. The perfect place to spread a picnic blanket.

Sometimes, for a change, Mom would quickly gather leftovers and throw together whatever food we had available in the pantry. Dad would load up our car, and we would head off for a roadside supper, seeing where the road would take us.

Picnic lunch recipe ideas were aplenty, and there was always a tin of salmon or sardines in the pantry — sardines were my favorite — and a freshly baked loaf of bread in the breadbox for making the sandwiches. The old fashioned layer cake set aside for company made the perfect dessert, and tasty refrigerator cookies could be quickly baked.

Favorite Picnic Locations

Sometimes, on a Sunday afternoon, we would arrange with relatives to meet at an agreed upon spot for a family picnic. That's me seated in front!

Favorite spots included a sandy beach, the bank of a quiet stream, a shady roadside with a hilltop view, or a public park with swings and teeter totters to amuse us youngsters.

Everyone would suggest their favorite old fashioned picnic food ideas, and It would be decided beforehand who would bring the homemade sandwiches, salads, and desserts.

Since the lunch was mostly potluck, you really never knew what you'd be eating until you arrived. Looking forward to the food was part of the fun, and it was always delicious.

Dealing with Nature's Guests

Surprisingly, swatting those pesky flies was accepted as part of the fun and there were always some pesky little ants to deal with. LOOK… I can see one now!

Why not use Grandma's old fashioned picnic food ideas to treat your family and friends to a vintage picnic this weekend? Create some fond memories to last a lifetime.

Beyond Summer: Family Winter Picnic Adventures

Summer picnics are truly awesome. However, believe it or not, one of my family's favorite outings was our annual winter picnic enjoyed on a bright sunny day after fresh snowfall.

It was not a fancy affair. We'd simply pack a toboggan with food and whatever utensils were needed for outdoor cooking and set off on our snowshoes and skis to a secluded area on our farm.

That's me at age nine in the photos with my Aunt Jessie and Uncle Art enjoying a picnic lunch at our farm's woodlot in January 1955.

Old fashioned picnic food ideas for our winter lunches included homemade hamburger stew, pork and beans, and hot dogs roasted over an open fire.

Mom's homemade butter tarts and my aunt's frosted cupcakes made the perfect dessert while piping hot chocolate and tea helped to keep us warm. It was always so much fun!

Bonus Recipe

How to Transform Leftover Picnic Sandwiches Into a Delicious Meal

When you have leftover sandwiches after a picnic or backyard party, you can use them in preparing the following casserole-type dish:

Mince the sandwiches in a food processor, mix with a good well-seasoned gravy, put in a pie plate and cover with creamy mashed potato about an inch thick.

This, baked in 400°F oven about 30 minutes or until the potato topping is golden brown, makes a delicious luncheon dish.

Timeless Picnic Traditions Are Worth Preserving

From Grandma's kitchen to your picnic basket, these classic recipes and ideas prove that the best memories are made when good food meets outdoor adventure. Whether you're inspired to pack up some homemade sandwiches and cookies, or brave a winter picnic like our family did, remember that the key ingredients are simple: good food, loved ones, and a spirit of adventure. Why not start your own picnic tradition this weekend?