It’s hard to imagine anything that brings sweeter summer memories than a picnic. Time seems to stand still for just a moment… And doesn’t everything taste better when it’s eaten on a blanket outside, watching the kids play? And thanks to our beautiful West Texas weather and so many great local venues, Lubbock parents have some stellar opportunities to get outside and dine al fresco with the fam! We’ve checked with our readers and local parents and compiled a list of favorite spots and resources to help you enjoy every slice of the season with our kids… from toddlers to teens! So bring it on… Have Picnic, Will Travel! Don’t see your favorite? Share it with us here!
Favorite Source for Picnic & Playdate Prep
Costco.
Thanks to some great local retailers, it’s so much easier for parents and grandparents to say “yes” to what was traditionally a time-consuming project… picnic preparation! Our readers’ choice is Costco (Costco facebook page here): Quick. Easy. Healthy. Thrifty. Costco really is a parent’s best friend – so glad they came to Lubbock! They always have fresh selections of high-quality deli items to grab and go in quantities that work for a group. Their Kirkland brand is always consistent and has healthy, yummy options for kids… including organic! You can also find good quality, practical picnic gear including coolers and containers. And in case you want to take a few things along to keep the kids engaged, there’s a great selection of age-appropriate reads and games for the kids (and for us!), just begging to go along.
{{ Flash Giveaway }}
Great news! In celebration of our Picnics & Playdates guide, our friends at Costco would like to provide this awesome picnic pack to one of our lucky readers! To enter, just leave a comment below in this blog post with one of your favorite things to take on a picnic or in our post on our Facebook Page. For an extra entry, you can share a photo of your little one with their favorite Costco picnic items… or hop over to the Costco facebook page and like their page & let us know you did. Entrants must reside in the Lubbock market. Good luck to everyone! Entries will be accepted through Sunday 7/19. So jealous… wish we could enter!
Favorite Picnic & Playdate Spots with a Show
Lubbock Moonlight Musicals.
Moonlight Musicals Amphitheatre at Mackenzie Park.
Tickets start at $7 per child, $20 per adult.
Live outdoor performances on Friday and Saturday evenings through the summer give area families one of the best venues in the country for enjoying a family picnic while being entranced by family-friendly, top-notch productions like Shrek, 1776, and Oklahoma!
Photo from Moonlight Musicals – Moonlight Musicals Amphitheatre
{{ Ticket Giveaway!}}
Our readers picked the Lubbock Moonlight Musicals as a favorite spot for a family picnic and our friends at Moonlight Musicals agree!…. and want to offer one of our lucky readers a family 4-pack of tickets to their current performance of 1776!! To enter, just leave a comment below in this blog post with the name of your child’s favorite forefather in our post on our Facebook Page. For an extra entry, you can post a photo of your kiddo dressed as their favorite forefather or like the Moonlight Musicals page, and let us know you did! 1776 is a great show, especially for our kids who are now studying American history!… But hurry… Entries will only be accepted until Midnight Thurs.7/16, with the winner announced Fri. morning!
{Tickets good for any remaining 1776 show and will be for 2 adults & 2 children (ages 5-9)}.
New! Morning children’s matinee of Beauty and the Beast by Lubbock Moonlight Musicals’ Moonlight Children’s Theatre.
Moonlight Musicals Amphitheatre at Mackenzie Park.
Tickets start at $5 per child, $10 per adult.
Friday and Saturday mornings at 10am through July 24th.
High Noon Summer Concerts at the Lubbock County Courthouse Gazebo. Noon on Wednesdays in the Summer through Aug. 19th. FREE.
Nice shaded areas for camp chairs or blankets. And all musicians are family-friendly.
Westwinds Brass Band Concert in the Park
Sunday Concerts in the Park by the Westwinds Brass Band.
Wagner Park at 26th & Flint.
FREE. Sunday evenings at 8pm through July 19th.
Great place for kids to play during the concert and there is always a special children’s march at the end of concert.
Favorite Picnic & Playdate Spots with Water
The Splashpad at Vintage Township.
121st Street & Salisbury Blvd.
Splashpad and play equipment for the kids, nice gazebo for the adults!
FREE.
Buffalo Springs Lake Beach
The Beach at Buffalo Springs Lake.
Nice sandy beach play areas help the kids get their beach fix right here on the south plains! And if you have time, enjoy a hike together through one of their maintained trails!
Requires lake admission: Kids 6-11 $3 (5 & under free), Adults $6.
Favorite Picnic & Playdate Parks
Selected by ease of location, proximity to restrooms, picnic tables, and play equipment.
Prairie Dog Town.
Mackenzie Park.
The new picnic tables make it easy to have a great picnic watching those amazing little creatures or just drive around the park to find a nice picnic spot! The favorite of the toddler set!
Lubbock Parks and Recreation Photo
AMBUCS Hub City Playground at Maxey Park
(at the north end of the park across the street from Covenant Lakeside).
Perfect for kids including special needs… completely ADA Compliant.
Lubbock Parks and Recreation Photo
Legacy Play Village.
Marsha Sharp Freeway at Milwaukee.
The “kid’s choice” favorite by far, however do be careful with little ones: Some readers reported trash issues at times especially inside the structures/castle. Super fun for the kids of all ages… just check the grounds when you arrive.
Lubbock Parks and Recreation Photo
Buddy Holly Recreational Area.
Canyon Lakes Drive & N. Univeristy.
Where else can the kids picnic next to a waterfall…. in Lubbock?!
Favorite Picnic Tips
Grab & Go Picnic: Just make a stop at a local store and grab a quick picnic on the go! And if the kids know it’s for a specific “mission” it shouldn’t take long. Be sure to choose a place, like Costco, that would have everything needed!
PYOP: Pack Your Own Picnic! Have everyone pack their own picnic… similar to making their own lunch for school. Great experience for the little ones and for everyone to work together in the kitchen!
What are some of your favorite picnic spots and tips? Share them with us here!
