Eat outdoors this autumn: how to ace a keep-warm picnic with your little ones

As the weather turns cooler, getting the kids outdoors for the day turns that little bit more challenging.

There’s more layers of clothes to consider; you’ve got to find last year’s gloves and scarves and persuade the kids to wear them; and sorting out lunch is trickier – you can’t just pack up a picnic.

Or can you?

We’re seeing a big trend at the moment for cold-weather picnics. With the right equipment, feeding your little ones outdoors when it’s cold is not only a cost-effective and exciting option: it’s pretty easy, too, even for the smallest kids.

The benefits of a keep-warm autumn picnic

The days are getting shorter, half term is rapidly approaching, and Christmas is just around the corner. We know busy parents are looking for cost-effective and fun days out to fill these colder weekends and holidays.

Luckily, the UK in autumn offers plenty of choice for a day exploring the great outdoors.

Local woods and beauty spots, wild beaches, National Trust properties, public parks: there are so many beautiful places to let the kids run free for a few hours, admire the changing colours on the trees, breathe in the fresh air and spot wildlife.

And with a keep-warm picnic, you don’t have to worry about breaking up your day to get home for lunch. Neither do you have to spend a lot of money in an on-site cafe.

Simply fill up an insulated flask or two with delicious hot food cooked in advance – such as a chunky veggie soup, rich autumnal stew, zingy curry or chilli con carne. The kind of recipe that you can batch-cook and serve for multiple meals.

Pack up some sides and maybe a dessert – how about crusty buttered bread, warmed-through naan bread or tortilla chips, and slices of cake for afters? Pack them all into a rucksack with bowls, some kid-friendly cutlery and a cosy outdoor blanket, and you’re good to go.

It’s the perfect way to avoid overspending on convenience food, encourage healthy eating on-the-go, save time by prepping multiple meals, and make your day out with the kids that bit more special for everyone.

AND you’ll keep your kids warm and energised while they enjoy the chilly outdoors.

TOP TIP: Tell your kids they can each bring a teddy along: now it’s a teddy-bears’ picnic! Perfect to get them more excited for their day out (and a perfect theme for when you Instagram your day).

Smart meal prep tips for keep-warm picnic

If you’re used to cooking for your family, you’ll probably find a keep-warm picnic surprisingly easy: you just need the right equipment.

An insulated flask, such as b.box’s Insulated Food Jar, can keep your beautiful homemade food hot for up to six hours. Simply preheat the food jar with boiling water, and then pour your warm food into it. Seal it, pack it in a bag, and you’re good to go.

It works really well for one-pot meals and batch-cooked meals. So when you’re meal-planning for the week ahead, you can assess which night’s dinner will also work as an outdoorsy lunch, and cook enough for both.

Just refrigerate or freeze your extra portion, and on the day of your picnic heat it up and pop it in the preheated flask.

TOP TIP: Have you got a baby you’re weaning? Check out the b.box Roll + Go Mealtime Mat for self-feeding on-the-go.

Easy keep-warm meal ideas

Need some inspiration? Check out these simple keep-warm picnic recipes, perfect for filling an insulated food jar.

Orange and pumpkin soup

You will need: 

• 500g pumpkin, peeled and chopped

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped

• juice from 2 oranges

• 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger

• 1 litre stock

• 25g butter

• salt and pepper to season

Method

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan and add the chopped onion, pumpkin and potatoes, and grated ginger. Sauté for a few minutes until the ginger is fragrant.

2. Add the stock and orange juice, season, and bring the boil.

3. When the veggies are soft (about10 mins), remove the saucepan from the heat, and blitz the soup with a handheld mixer until combined.

 

Nacho bean mix with corn chips

You will need: 

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 1 clove garlic, crushed

• 400g tin corn, drained and rinsed

• 400g tin black or red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

• 400g tin chopped tomatoes

• 2 tsp paprika (or taco mix)

• Grated cheese (optional)

• Corn chips, tortilla chips or cooked rice to serve

Method: 

1. Cook the onion and garlic in olive oil in a frying pan until soft (about 3-4 mins).

2. Add the corn, black beans and tinned tomatoes and stir to combine, before simmering for 10 mins. Mash lightly and mix through the cheese, if using.

3. Serve mixed with cooked rice, or with tortilla chips for dipping.

 

Pesto pasta

You will need: 

• 1/4 cup lightly toasted sunflower seeds

• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

• 2 big handfuls fresh basil

• 1/2 cup olive oil

• 1 garlic clove, peeled

• Juice of 1/2 lemon

• Pinch of salt to taste

• 1 cup pasta. Fusilli and penne work well

Method: 

1. Pop the sunflower seeds, parmesan, basil, oil, garlic and lemon juice in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add salt to taste and/or more lemon juice if needed.

2. Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and put it back in the pan, stirring through the pesto mixture to warm it through.

For more warming winter recipes perfect for the Insulated Food Jar, see our blog!

Practical packing & safety tips

As with any hot food, a keep-warm picnic requires a little caution for food hygiene and child safety. Here are our top tips to make an autumn picnic as safe and enjoyable as possible:

• Always preheat the insulated food jar with hot water. 

• When reheating refrigerated or frozen food, make sure you heat it till it’s piping hot, and then let it cool to a kid-safe temperature before putting it in the food jar.

• Don’t reheat pasta or rice: if you’re including it in your keep-warm picnic, cook it and pack it in the insulated food jar that morning.

• Don't microwave your insulated food jar. 

• Use a bento-style lunchbox or two (b.box has a fantastic range!) to portion your picnic sides: bread, tortilla chips, plenty of fruit… how about cheese with crackers or fruit cake for a chilled autumnal choice?

It’s an amazing time of year for a day out of doors – and it’s never been easier to take hot food along for a tasty, filling and warming lunch.

A quality insulated food jar takes your prep work further, helping you keep your hot homemade meals warmer for longer. b.box is on a mission to make feeding on the go easier: check out our range today!