Easy Picnic Side Dishes That Kids Can Help Cook

Corn Tomato Avocado Salad

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This side dish is bursting with the taste of summer thanks to all of its in-season ingredients. After cooking the corn for 10 minutes until it's lightly toasted, have the kids help toss in the avocados, tomatoes and red onion, then mix with lime juice, salt and pepper. Refrigerate for 45 minutes or up to 4 hours and serve cold.

Recipe via Bake Your Day

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Picnic Potato Salad

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When you're wary of eating food that will be sitting in the heat, try making this vegan version of potato salad. Chances are you won't even miss the mayo and eggs after tasting the recipe's tangy combination of wine vinegar, coarse-grain mustard and a few pinches of sugar. While the potatoes cook, get the kids' help pouring the dressing ingredients into a mason jar, followed by a vigorous shaking session.

Recipe via Lady Behind the Curtain

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Watermelon Feta Mint Salad

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Though watermelon and feta may not be two foods you'd logically put together, the combination is absolutely worth trying. After cubing the melon, chop up some mint and then have the kids toss in the feta crumbles and sprinkle with a mixture of honey, sea salt and lime juice.

Recipe via The Blond Cook

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Asian Cucumber Noodle Salad

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Give your picnic a hint of Asian fusion with this colorful side. If you have a spiralizer, let the kids turn the handle to make the"noodles." If not, don't fret. The dish is equally as tasty with chopped cucumber and the kids can help with tossing the salad instead.

Recipe via Two Peas & Their Pod

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Sweet Potato and Kale Balls

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If you're looking to forgo all picnic utensils, be sure to pack these sweet potato and kale balls as a finger food side (plus, the kids will enjoy packing the mixture into golf ball sized pieces). Not only are they delicious, but they add a healthy dose of iron and vitamin A to your picnic fare, too.

Recipe via Neurotic Mommy

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Ginger Mango Slaw

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Between the mango's tropical flavor and the ginger's zing, you'll be craving this mayo-free coleslaw long after your picnic is over. And if mango isn't your or the kids' fruit of choice, the recipe gives the option of substituting peaches or melon.

Recipe via Snappy Gourmet

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Fruit Salad with Basil Lime Syrup

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This fruity side will be so satisfying, there's no need to bring along dessert. The sweetness of the peaches, nectarines and strawberries is perfectly balanced with the savoriness of the basil, and the lime adds a nice little punch. Once you've chopped the fruit, let the kids mix it together while you drizzle the honey-basil syrup and lime zest.

Recipe via Life Currents

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Three Bean Salad

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A mainstay of picnic and barbecue sides, you can never go wrong with a classic three-bean salad. Better yet, there's zero cooking involved. Let the kids whisk together the sugar, oil, shallots, garlic, salt and pepper; add the beans, refrigerate and stir before serving.

Recipe via Country Cleaver

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Super Fast Hummus

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Besides being an instant crowd-pleaser, you'll be amazed at how easy this hummus is to make (it takes 10 minutes, tops), not to mention how much better the homemade version tastes compared to store-bought. Have the kids throw the ingredients into a food processor and then step in when it's time to puree. Pack some veggies, apples and crackers, and you're all set.

Recipe via Our Lady of Second Helpings

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Sweet Potato, Apple, Dried Cherry & Kale Salad

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This side melds together just the right amount of savoriness, sweetness and tartness. Plus, nothing says summer like adding some dried cherries to the mix. If you want a vegetarian version, make the recipe as-is. Or, for some added protein, cook up some chicken sausage when sautรฉing the sweet potatoes.

Recipe via Green Plate Rule

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Creamy Cucumber Salad

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This side will satisfy whatever flavor your family's tastebuds are in the mood for. The vinegar, dill and Greek yogurt (or sour cream) coat the crisp cucumbers in a pleasant tanginess while the sugar adds an unexpected sweetness. Chop the cucumbers while the kids stir the dressing ingredients. Combine, toss and refrigerate for an hour before serving.

Recipe via Spend With Pennies

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Grape Salad

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Another dessert-worthy side is this refreshing grape salad that takes all of five minutes to put together. Just place the cream cheese (substitute Greek yogurt for a healthier take) in a bowl and have the kids fold in the whipped toping. Add the mixture to the grapes until fully coated and top with pecans.

Recipe via A Dash Of Domestic

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Southwestern Quinoa Salad

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You might want to make extras of this salad to ensure there will be post-picnic leftovers. (Though we can't guarantee it. It's that good!) Better yet, it only takes about 15 minutes to prepare and keeps well in the fridge, so it can be made days ahead.

Recipe via Kaylyn's Kitchen

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