15 Foods Every '70s Kid Remembered From Family Picnics

Basic, familiar, and outdoor-friendly foods were served at 1970s family picnics. Cold drinks and simple desserts accompanied homemade favorites in covered bowls, wax paper, foil, plastic containers, and picnic baskets. Watermelon’s mess, potato chips’ crunch, and gelatin’s bright colors were remembered by kids. Fried chicken and sandwiches were filling, while brownies, ambrosia, and other treats were festive. These foods reflected the decade’s everyday cooking, packaged ingredients, and casual outdoor dining. Together, they created a picnic experience that evoked childhood memories of summer afternoons, family gatherings, playgrounds, parks, and long days outside.

1. Deviled Eggs

In the 1970s, deviled eggs were a common sight on picnic tables, especially when families stocked up on food in giant plastic containers for a day at the park. Hard-boiled eggs were cut in half, the yolks mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper, and spooned back into the whites. Some sprinkled paprika on the top for color and flavor. The eggs were shipped in refrigerated containers with sandwiches and salads. They were familiar, cheap, and easy to make up in advance. They felt a bit special at a picnic thanks to the creamy filling, although the recipe used ordinary kitchen staples. What made them memorable was the familiar look.

2. Macaroni Salad

Macaroni salad was a go-to picnic staple in the 1970s. Families would cook elbow macaroni, cool it, and then mix it with mayonnaise, chopped celery, onion, and sometimes sweet pickle relish. Some recipes had hard-boiled eggs or diced cheese. The salad was put in a covered bowl and left near the cooler until lunch. Its soft pasta and creamy dressing paired easily with grilled meats, sandwiches, and potato chips. The kids in particular found the dish approachable, thanks to the familiar shape of the macaroni. It was simple food, but it was part of the lazy rhythm of summer picnics. It was made ahead and served cold, as well as holding up well.

3. Watermelon Wedges

Bright and messy watermelon wedges were a staple at many family picnics in the 1970s. A whole watermelon would often be cut into thick triangles before the family left home. The slices were carried in a cooler or large container, and were served cold. Children sat nearby, juice running down their hands and arms, as they grabbed the biggest chunks they could find. Seeds were usually spat out onto the grass or picked carefully from the red flesh. No special preparation was required except the cutting of the fruit. Watermelon was especially refreshing on hot afternoons after a game, a swim, or a long walk, with its crisp texture and high water content.

4. Potato Chips

Potato chips were a common picnic side dish in the 1970s. They would be brought home in big bags by families, then poured into bowls or handed around the blanket that the opened package had been on. The classic was salted chips, but barbecue and sour cream also made it onto the grocery shelves. Sandwiches, hot dogs and cold salads went well with them. The chips were easy to scoop up by the handful, no cutlery needed, and so handy for meals eaten outdoors. The bag was part of the picnic tableau too, with paper plates and plastic cups. Few foods had such a simple mix of convenience, salt and crunch.

5. Jell-O Salad

Jell-O salads were a familiar sight at American family get-togethers, picnics, and potlucks in the 1970s. Families made gelatin in flavors like lime, strawberry, or orange and added ingredients like canned fruit, cottage cheese, or whipped topping. Some of the recipes were shaped into rings or other decorative shapes and chilled. The bright color was a stand-out with sandwiches and salads at a picnic. The kids usually enjoyed the wobbly texture and sweet flavor, but grown-ups used the dish as a familiar party recipe. It was easy to make ahead, inexpensive, and strongly connected to the colorful food traditions of the decade.

6. Fried Chicken

Fried chicken was one of the heavier foods families would bring to outdoor meals in the 1970s. Pieces were fried at home, cooled, and put in containers or wrapped for transport. The crisp coating remained flavorful even when the chicken was brought to room temperature, making it practical for picnics without a grill. Children particularly liked drumsticks because they were easy to hold. Families ate the chicken with salads, bread, chips, and cold drinks. Whether it was homemade or purchased from a local restaurant, fried chicken was a substantial main course for the picnic, enough to feed a crowd.

7. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches

Kids loved peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at the picnic table in the 1970s. We made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cut into halves or squares and wrapped individually. Grape jello was common, but strawberry and other fruit spreads were also used. The sandwiches needed no heat, no forks, and no fancy preparation. They tuck easily into lunch bags and picnic baskets with fruit and snacks. Kids could eat them between games, standing up, not sitting at a formal table. They also became a beloved comfort food with their sweet and salty combination. For many families, PB&J was less a special picnic dish and more a reliable childhood staple.

8. Kool-Aid

Kool-Aid was a common drink at many family picnics in the 1970s, especially when a large group needed something inexpensive to drink. Families mixed packets of powdered drinks with water and sugar and poured the colorful drinks into pitchers or plastic jugs. Popular choices were cherry, grape, and tropical punch flavors. The bright colors went with the cheerful mood of outdoor parties. Children drank it from paper or plastic cups as they ran between picnic tables, playgrounds, and open fields. And a big jug could pass around a lot of people. It would be useful for families. The sweet flavor and vibrant color stayed with the drink even after the picnic was over.

9. Deviled Ham Sandwiches

For picnic lunches of the 1970s, deviled ham sandwiches made a decidedly savory choice. Deviled ham out of the can was spread on slices of white bread, often with mayonnaise, mustard, or chopped pickles. Some families added texture by adding lettuce or sliced tomatoes. Sandwiches were wrapped in wax paper, foil, or plastic wrap and put in picnic baskets. They required no cooking at the picnic site, and were suitable for parks and roadside stops. The soft bread and the robustly seasoned filling made a different taste than just cold cuts. Deviled ham was a cheap sandwich that traveled well for families who wanted variety.

10. Ambrosia

Ambrosia was a sweet, creamy fruit mixture that showed up at many American family gatherings during the 1970s. Recipes often combined canned mandarin oranges, pineapple, coconut, and marshmallows with whipped topping or sour cream. Families would prepare it in advance and keep it cold until dinner time. Bright in color and fluffy in texture, it looked unlike the savory salads served at picnics. The marshmallows and fruit were always a hit with the kids, and the adults knew it as a potluck staple. Ambrosia was convenient for busy households because most of the ingredients were from cans or packaged foods. It was also a simple picnic meal with a decidedly festive dessert.

11. Relish Tray

A relish tray added color and variety to many picnic spreads in the 1970s. Families put foods on a platter such as celery sticks, carrot strips, radishes, black olives, green olives, and pickle spears. Usually vegetables were prepared at home and brought in covered containers. At the picnic, people could take small portions without the need for a complicated serving dish. Children reached for the olives and pickles, the grownups for the crisp vegetables. The tray also carried heavier foods such as fried chicken, sandwiches, and creamy salads. It was simple, homey, and easy to pass around a picnic table, and that’s what made it so appealing.

12. Cucumber Salad

Cucumber salad was a cool accompaniment that would’ve been right at home on family picnics of the 1970s. Families sliced cucumbers and combined them with vinegar, onions, salt, pepper, and sometimes a dash of sugar. Other versions had sour cream or a plain creamy dressing. The family made the salad at home, packed it in a covered container, and chilled it before going outside. The crunch was a nice change from fried chicken, sandwiches, and heartier salads. Kids will enjoy the mild crunch, and adults will love the cool, tangy taste. It was cheap, easy to make, and suited for warm summer afternoons. It was still refreshing.

13. Brownies

In the 1970s, brownies were a practical homemade dessert for family picnics. Families baked a pan at home, let it cool, and cut it into squares to pack for the outing. Chocolate brownies traveled better than most frosted cakes, because they could be stacked or wrapped without much trouble. After lunch, children would often grab them, especially when the picnic included outdoor games and plenty of activity. Some recipes had chopped nuts; others were plain and fudgy squares. The familiar chocolate flavor of brownies made them an easy crowd pleaser. A simple baking pan could supply enough dessert for the whole family.

14. Rice Krispies Treats

When the recipe was published on the cereal box in the 1940s, Rice Krispies Treats became a familiar homemade snack and continued to be popular with families in the 1970s. The recipe was melted marshmallows and butter combined with crisp rice cereal and pressed into a pan. When cool, it was cut into bars and packed for outings. The treats were light, sweet, and easy for kids to hold. They also didn’t need plates or forks, so they were perfect for outdoor dining. The chewy texture was a fun change from the fruit, sandwiches, and other more traditional foods at a family picnic. Their clean, portable shape made them particularly handy for eating al fresco.

15. Lemon Bars

In the 1970s, lemon bars were a sunny homemade dessert for family picnics. First, a simple shortbread crust was baked and then topped with a lemon and egg filling before the pan went back in the oven. When cooled, the dessert was cut into neat squares and dusted with powdered sugar. Families could make the bars ahead of time and pack them in a covered container. Their sweet-tart flavor was a nice follow-up to the heavier picnic fare. The kids liked the sweet topping, and the adults liked the sharp citrus flavor. Lemon bars were not complicated, but they made an outdoor meal feel more complete and homey.