Spring in Australia is picnic season: sunshine, fresh air, and time outdoors with the kids. But what’s a picnic without food that’s easy to pack, tasty for little ones, and fun to share?
This year, why not add an international twist to your picnic basket? Inspired by the cultures of the children’s books we share at Polyglot Tales – your children’s language books store in Australia, here are some family-friendly spring recipes from Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, and Italy.
Japan – Onigiri (Rice Balls)
Onigiri are the ultimate kid-friendly picnic food in Japan. They’re simple, filling, and easy for little hands to hold.
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Cooked short-grain rice
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Fillings like tuna mayo, pickled plum, or even assorted mushrooms stir fried and seasoned with soy sauce or miso and sesame seeds
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Optional seaweed (nori) wraps
Shape into triangles or balls, wrap, and pack. They keep well and don’t require cutlery.
🌸 Tip: wrap with a cling wrap to shape them and for easy packing.
China – Jiaozi (Dumplings)
Dumplings are a beloved Chinese snack: soft, savoury, and perfect for little hands. They can be made ahead of time and eaten cold or lightly pan-fried for the picnic.
Ingredients:
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200 g minced pork, chicken, or tofu
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1 cup finely chopped cabbage
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2 spring onions, finely chopped
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1 tsp soy sauce
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1 tsp sesame oil
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Dumpling wrappers (store-bought)
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Optional: small container of soy sauce for dipping
Instructions:
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In a bowl, mix the filling: meat/tofu, cabbage, spring onion, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
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Place a small spoonful of filling in the center of a dumpling wrapper. Fold and pinch the edges to seal.
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Cook by boiling for 5–7 minutes or pan-fry until golden and cooked through.
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Let cool slightly before packing for the picnic.
🌸 Tip: Arrange in a container with parchment paper between layers so they don’t stick. Serve with soy sauce, ginger and vinegar
India – Aloo Tikki (Potato Patties)
Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, these spiced potato patties are great hot or cold.
Ingredients:
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4 medium potatoes, boiled and mashed
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½ cup green peas, cooked
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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1 tsp cumin powder
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1 tsp coriander powder
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1 tsp garam masala
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Salt to taste
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Oil for shallow frying
Instructions:
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Mix potatoes, peas, onion, spices, and salt in a bowl.
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Shape into small patties.
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Heat oil in a pan and shallow-fry until golden on both sides.
🌸 Tip: Pack with a small container of yoghurt or chutney for dipping.
Italy – Rosemary Focaccia
This soft, golden bread is perfect for tearing and sharing.
Ingredients:
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500 g plain or bread flour
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7 g instant yeast
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2 tsp sugar
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2 tsp salt
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325 ml warm water
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60 ml (¼ cup) olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
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Fresh rosemary sprigs
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Sea salt flakes
Instructions:
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Mix flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add warm water and olive oil. Knead until smooth.
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Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–1.5 hours.
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Spread onto a baking tray (2–3 cm thick) and let rise another 30 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 200°C. Dimple dough with your fingers, drizzle with olive oil, and scatter rosemary and sea salt.
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Bake 20–25 minutes until golden.
🌸 Tip: Slice into squares and wrap in a tea towel to keep soft in your picnic basket.
Picnic Fun Beyond Food 🌼
Don’t forget the simple joys, a ball, some bubbles, or even a quick scavenger hunt (“Find a yellow flower, a smooth rock, something that smells nice”) will keep kids entertained while you enjoy your picnic spread.
A Little Extra for Families Raising Multilingual Kids 💬
At Polyglot Tales – your children’s language books store in Australia, we know family moments are about more than food. Imagine sitting under the trees, enjoying these flavours from around the world, and opening a storybook in the same language.
We stock a beautiful collection of children’s books in Hindi, Chinese, Japanese, and Italian, perfect for bilingual families who want to bring language learning into everyday life — whether at bedtime, playtime, or even on a picnic blanket.
👉 Explore Polyglot Tales today and make stories part of your spring adventures.