National Eat Outside Day is the perfect excuse to break from the norm and enjoy a meal in the fresh air.
If your family prefers to sleep in, an outdoor picnic or charcuterie board is the perfect way to dine al fresco. (Photo: Andy Quezada, Unsplash)
GREENWICH, NY — Whether your summer is still in full swing or your kids are getting ready for the first day of school, you’re probably trying to hold on to the summer spirit for as long as possible. Well, you’re in luck because National Eat Outside Day is Saturday, August 31, 2024, making it the perfect day to celebrate with others and find that ideal outdoor spot to enjoy the outdoors. Here are 11 fun and unique ways to celebrate and enjoy the great outdoors.
1. Enjoy an early bird breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and what better way to start the day than by getting out into the great outdoors with all your favorite breakfast foods? You can make it as simple or as complex as you like. Either with a simple continental breakfast of muffins, bagels, and coffee, or reheated breakfast burritos made the night before.
2. Affordable fun in the garden
If your family prefers to sleep in, a picnic or outdoor charcuterie board is the perfect way to dine al fresco. And you don’t even have to cook everything yourself. Have some sandwiches delivered, grab some chips and soda, and spend the afternoon in the yard eating, playing games, and enjoying the late summer weather.
3. Book a special culinary event
If you want to celebrate National Eat Outside Day in style, book a private dining experience in your home. Local chefs can be hired to prepare hibachi, clambake, or other private dining experiences. You simply specify the seating and guest list, sit back, and enjoy a professional dining experience designed just for you.
4. Time for a potluck party
A cheaper option is to invite friends and family over, ask them to bring a potluck meal and a board game or two, and enjoy a budget-friendly get-together with your besties. You could even have the potluck revolve around a specific theme or game, such as Clue or an escape room-style mystery dinner.
5. Take a food truck tour
These days, it’s easy to find a food truck festival. Gather a group of friends and head to one to try different foods. These events are often held in public parks where there’s plenty of room to spread out and enjoy a meal. It’s an ideal way to celebrate National Eat Outside Day.
6. Plan an outdoor picnic
If you’re lucky enough to live in an area with dark skies – think the Grand Canyon or the Great Smoky Mountains – consider planning an evening dark sky picnic. Without the glare of nearby light pollution, stargazing takes on a whole new meaning. For more information on dark sky locations near you, visit the Dark Sky website, the ideal resource to start planning your evening stargazing picnic right now.
7. Have a cozy campfire
Nothing says summer like s’mores and hot dogs over an open campfire. A backyard campfire is the epitome of outdoor living and the perfect way to celebrate National Eat Outside Day. Make it a potluck and invite friends and family to bring things to cook over the fire. That way you’ll have a budget-friendly party with food that everyone will enjoy.
8th Neighborhood Block Party
Plan a back-to-school neighborhood party for parents and kids, complete with potluck items, games, prizes, and maybe even a bounce house and face painting. This is a great way to get out and get to know your neighbors, especially if you’re new to the area or your kids are going to a new school. A neighborhood party is the perfect icebreaker during a time when families tend to keep to themselves.
9. Pizza party in the garden
With an outdoor pizza oven or your regular grill, you can turn your backyard into the best pizza party spot in town. Let your guests create custom pizzas with toppings of their choice and enjoy a steaming hot slice outdoors with sodas or alcoholic beverages to keep the party going.
10. Enjoy a Lowcountry Boil
This Southern staple consists of boiled corn, shrimp, potatoes and sausage in a large pot with your favorite seasonings like Old Bay or Zatarain’s for the ultimate Lowcountry cuisine. Also known as Frogmore Stew in the Beaufort, South Carolina area, Lowcountry boil is typically served outdoors; simply cook the feast and spread it out on newspaper at the picnic table for everyone to dig in family style.
11. Dinner and a movie outdoors
All you need for an outdoor dinner and movie is your favorite streaming service, a laptop, a projector, and a movie screen, and you’re ready to go. Add your favorite family-friendly food, don’t forget popcorn and candy, and you’ve got a National Eat Outside Day activity you’ll remember for years.
Just enjoy the day
National Eat Outside Day is the perfect excuse to break out of the norm and enjoy a meal in the fresh air. Whether you plan a backyard barbecue, watch your favorite movie, or prefer to be pampered by a personal chef, you’re sure to make this special day an annual tradition for your family.
Michele Brosius is the founder of Midlife Healthy Living, where she combines her love of cooking with cost-conscious eating strategies. Her blog encourages women to live a healthier lifestyle with easy recipes and wellness tips.
–Michele Brosius
Healthy living in midlife
