Are you looking for an outdoor way to enjoy All Saints Day with friends?
Last year, I shared plans for our All Saints Day Picnic and Party.
Those plans came to fruition with a fun, faith-centered gathering - something we hope to repeat this year.
If you would like to do similarly, here are some snapshots and notes to inspire you.
Plan and Set Up Simply for an All Saints Day Potluck and Party
Planning was simple for our party. I simply followed the 4 Steps to an All Saints Day Picnic and Party that I shared last year, putting word out to our local Catholic homeschooling group on Facebook and creating an event so people could RSVP and share.
I offered some costume ideas, and had my kids come up with their own:
St. Dorothy - a maid.
St. Maurice (I think it was. He always tries to find one with a sword, and I cannot recall which one he was, to be honest.)
And, Saint José Luis Sánchez del Río!
Then, the day before the event, I reminded people with a message that said, "Looking forward to seeing all... with or without costumes as you desire and with picnic dishes or drinks to share, and, if you feel creative, a saint-related game or activity."
I also printed out and laminated some food signs, game signs, and prayers, gathered some game supplies, and got some food together.
This made set up at the party a breeze.
I was able to quickly put a tablecloth and food on a picnic table, put an easel up with a prize basket next to it and get an obstacle course together in very little time, so the party could begin.
Chat, Pray, and Play with Inspiration from the Saints
I offered some costume ideas, and had my kids come up with their own:
St. Dorothy - a maid.
St. Maurice (I think it was. He always tries to find one with a sword, and I cannot recall which one he was, to be honest.)
And, Saint José Luis Sánchez del Río!
Then, the day before the event, I reminded people with a message that said, "Looking forward to seeing all... with or without costumes as you desire and with picnic dishes or drinks to share, and, if you feel creative, a saint-related game or activity."
I also printed out and laminated some food signs, game signs, and prayers, gathered some game supplies, and got some food together.
This made set up at the party a breeze.
Chat, Pray, and Play with Inspiration from the Saints
As people arrived, they dropped off their food to share, greeted one another, set out blankets and portable chairs, and, then, shortly after, gathered together to chatted about the significance of the day.
Because we knew we had some people arriving late, we talked a bit about the day, prayed grace, and prayed an All Saints Day prayer:
Dear God, thank you for the example of the Saints. I desire to join in their company, worshiping you forever in Heaven. Please help me follow their footsteps, and yours, Jesus Christ. Please help me to conform myself to Your image, seeking Your will in all things, as the Saints did. Please help me to devote myself, and all that I do, to Your glory, and to the service of my neighbors. Amen.
which included St. Dorothy's Apples and Noodles...
and Saint Charles Borromeo Hot Spiced Apple Cider and St. Juan Diego's Mexican Hot Cocoa.
While the children ate...
...we began a game of Saint Pictionary.
For the game, I had a stack of picture books of saints and had a child open to a random page. Using the image on the page - and sometimes an idea or two from me...
... the child sketched the saint, symbols of the saint, stories about the saint, or what the saint was patron to get others to guess the saint...
...whoever guessed correctly chose a prize and took the next turn.
While playing, kids continued to help themselves to our saint-inspired eats.
Pray the Litany of the Saints
Once our late-comers had arrived, I asked different children and family to lead us in each of the sections of the Mini-Lintany of Saints.
So beautiful to pray together with children leading!
Enjoy an All Saints Obstacle Course and More
Then, it was game time!
Some children kept playing the pictionary game.
Others got together to put together "Boxes of Joy".
In honor of St. Nicholas, one mom had five boxes that families brought various items to fill so that children in other parts of the world might enjoy them.
We also had an All Saints Obstacle Course that children took turns at, picking a prize upon completion.
For the course, children Pivoted like St. Paul (using our Twist and Shape board, though a Simply Fit Board or a Sit-n-Spin would work just as well).
Then, they ran and grabbed some fake flowers...
...and climbed a piece of playground equipment where they showered flowers from Heaven like St. Therese.
After that, they put on "armor", took up a banner and sword, and St. Joan of Arc and journeyed like St. Joan of Arc.
Dropping the the armor, play sword, and pool noodle banner, they, then, Leapt like St. John the Baptist by jumping over hurdles made with plant stakes and pool noodles. (You can see those in this picture.)
Turning back toward the starting/finishing line, the children then Balanced St. Augustine's Books by walking on a small homemade balance beam with a book atop their heads.
Finally, they Finished the Race like All Saints by running back to the starting line.
Back at the starting/finish line, kids were able to pick a prize. (I had older children help distribute prizes from the basket.)
Children of all ages - and even some parents - enjoyed the obstacle course!
Serve with Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
At the close of our party, we added a community service component by giving kids bags and having them do a Saint Kateri, Patroness of the Environment, Clean Up Scavenger Hunt using a free printable which I had prepared - thereby leaving the park better than we found it!
We closed with prayers and encouragement to continue living well as the Saints Militant, as we aimed to be Saints Triumphant and increased our prayers for the Saints Penitent.
Final clean up was then a breeze - and all went away with smiles, having enjoyed our time together celebrating All Saints Day.
I pray that this year, we are able to enjoy another All Saints Picnic and Party and that you might enjoy your All Saints Day a bit more with inspiration from this sharing
So beautiful to pray together with children leading!
Enjoy an All Saints Obstacle Course and More
Then, it was game time!
Some children kept playing the pictionary game.
Others got together to put together "Boxes of Joy".
In honor of St. Nicholas, one mom had five boxes that families brought various items to fill so that children in other parts of the world might enjoy them.
We also had an All Saints Obstacle Course that children took turns at, picking a prize upon completion.
For the course, children Pivoted like St. Paul (using our Twist and Shape board, though a Simply Fit Board or a Sit-n-Spin would work just as well).
Then, they ran and grabbed some fake flowers...
Some children kept playing the pictionary game.
Others got together to put together "Boxes of Joy".
In honor of St. Nicholas, one mom had five boxes that families brought various items to fill so that children in other parts of the world might enjoy them.
We also had an All Saints Obstacle Course that children took turns at, picking a prize upon completion.
For the course, children Pivoted like St. Paul (using our Twist and Shape board, though a Simply Fit Board or a Sit-n-Spin would work just as well).
Then, they ran and grabbed some fake flowers...
...and climbed a piece of playground equipment where they showered flowers from Heaven like St. Therese.
After that, they put on "armor", took up a banner and sword, and St. Joan of Arc and journeyed like St. Joan of Arc.
Dropping the the armor, play sword, and pool noodle banner, they, then, Leapt like St. John the Baptist by jumping over hurdles made with plant stakes and pool noodles. (You can see those in this picture.)
Turning back toward the starting/finishing line, the children then Balanced St. Augustine's Books by walking on a small homemade balance beam with a book atop their heads.
Finally, they Finished the Race like All Saints by running back to the starting line.
Children of all ages - and even some parents - enjoyed the obstacle course!
Serve with Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
At the close of our party, we added a community service component by giving kids bags and having them do a Saint Kateri, Patroness of the Environment, Clean Up Scavenger Hunt using a free printable which I had prepared - thereby leaving the park better than we found it!
We closed with prayers and encouragement to continue living well as the Saints Militant, as we aimed to be Saints Triumphant and increased our prayers for the Saints Penitent.
Final clean up was then a breeze - and all went away with smiles, having enjoyed our time together celebrating All Saints Day.
I pray that this year, we are able to enjoy another All Saints Picnic and Party and that you might enjoy your All Saints Day a bit more with inspiration from this sharing
At the close of our party, we added a community service component by giving kids bags and having them do a Saint Kateri, Patroness of the Environment, Clean Up Scavenger Hunt using a free printable which I had prepared - thereby leaving the park better than we found it!
We closed with prayers and encouragement to continue living well as the Saints Militant, as we aimed to be Saints Triumphant and increased our prayers for the Saints Penitent.
Final clean up was then a breeze - and all went away with smiles, having enjoyed our time together celebrating All Saints Day.
I pray that this year, we are able to enjoy another All Saints Picnic and Party and that you might enjoy your All Saints Day a bit more with inspiration from this sharing
Saints Triumphant, pray for us.
