Church picnics provide a great way to gather the congregation and community together to enjoy good food and company, helping to create lasting impressions and connections. However, it requires careful planning to organize a successful church picnic. So, we put together some ideas to help get you started.
Tips for Planning the Event
Decide Why You’re Having the Picnic
The first step is to define your goal for the event. There are a number of reasons why you might decide to organize a church picnic, including:
- Providing a fun activity for the whole family
- Church outreach and community building
- Celebrating a milestone (like a church anniversary)
- Volunteer appreciation
- Fundraising
Recruit Volunteers
You’ll need volunteers to help plan the event and also take care of tasks like setup, cleanup, serving food, and coordinating activities. Clearly assigning specific roles and responsibilities ensures smooth execution of the event, and it can help you get volunteers. People may be more inclined to sign up for a particular task, like dessert serving or game coordination.
Pick a Location
When selecting a location, it’s important to prioritize accessibility by choosing a venue that’s easily reachable by all members (including those with disabilities) and ensuring there’s ample parking space. Safety should be another priority – make sure there aren’t potential hazards, especially if children and elderly individuals are attending.
Consider the size of the venue and if it can comfortably accommodate the expected number of attendees. If you’re worried about capacity, ask for a headcount before the event.
Additionally, look for amenities, such as restrooms, playgrounds, and picnic tables. Because they’re easy to transport, set up, and clean up, plastic chairs and tables are perfect for an event like this.
Plan for Contingencies
Anticipating possible issues and implementing measures to address them can minimize disruptions and ensure an enjoyable picnic for everyone. Some items to consider include:
- Inclement weather: Have a backup plan in case of rain or extreme weather conditions. Consider reserving an indoor venue or renting tents or canopies to provide shelter. And have some indoor activities planned.
- Transportation issues: Provide clear directions and instructions for parking and consider arranging shuttle services if necessary.
- Medical emergencies: Bring a first aid kit and designate individuals trained in basic first aid who can provide assistance.
- Food safety: Ensure proper food handling and storage practices, have coolers or refrigeration available for perishable food items, and label dishes with ingredients to help those with food allergies or special diets.
Here are some more tips for planning a church event successfully.
Church Picnic Food Ideas
These ideas for church picnic food are sure to please attendees of all ages:
- Grilled classics: hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, chicken, and veggie burgers can be served with an assortment of condiments
- Sides: potato salad, pasta salad, mac n cheese, coleslaw, baked beans, corn on the cob, and grilled vegetables
- Sandwiches or wraps: can be customized with a variety of fillings, including meats, cheeses, vegetables, and spreads
- DIY salad bar: offer a selection of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, and dressings
- Finger foods: cheese and crackers, vegetable platters with dip, fruit skewers, deviled eggs, and chips with salsa or guacamole
- Sweet desserts: brownies, cookies, fruit salad, ice cream sundaes, or s’mores
It’s best to plan the menu in advance, considering dietary restrictions, preferences, and the number of attendees, helping to ensure there’s something for everyone.
Delegate responsibilities to volunteers, assigning menu items to make sure multiple people don’t make the same dish. Creating a sign-up sheet or assigning categories will help ensure there’s a nice variety of food and beverages.
Also, consider convenience by choosing easy-to-eat outdoor foods and disposable serving ware. Setting up designated serving stations will facilitate a smooth flow of traffic.
Ideas for Games and Activities
Your picnic location may influence the games you’re able to offer. For example, a lakeside picnic lends itself to different activities than a location with a baseball field or pickleball courts.
By offering a variety of games suitable for all ages and abilities, picnics become inclusive events that encourage participation from everyone, promoting fellowship and unity. Here are a few different ideas to consider:
- Sports: Organize friendly matches in sports (like soccer, volleyball, basketball, kickball, or softball) and encourage participation from all skill levels
- Relay Races: Teams can compete in events, like three-legged races, sack races, wheelbarrow races, egg-and-spoon races, or hula hoop passes
- Carnival games: Even without the booths, games (like ring toss, balloon darts, basketball hoop shooting, and milk bottle toss) are very entertaining
- Lawn Games: Games (like cornhole, ladder toss, Kan Jam, giant Jenga, and Bocce) are easy to set up and offer casual play throughout the day
- Arts and crafts: Provide everything that’s needed for art projects, like face painting, balloon animals, bracelet making, and handprint flowers
We hope these tips help you plan a successful event. Organizing a church picnic is not just about coordinating logistics; it’s about creating a memorable experience that strengthens bonds and builds fellowship for your church.
