Ants have got the right idea. Busy workers they might be, but they still find time to go to all the picnics.

People should be like that too. Don’t let work creep into every day of your life. Sometimes you just need to close up the laptop, turn off the phone (right off, not just ‘silent’), and treat yourself to a picnic – even if it’s only in your own back garden.

And there’s no better time to do it than National Picnic Week, which this year runs from Friday 16th to Sunday 25th June.

To mark the occasion, leading housebuilder Taylor Wimpey has put together some top tips to help you prepare a perfect picnic.

Elaine Cartwright, Regional Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey, says: “At Taylor Wimpey we’re proud of the fact that we don’t just build houses, we help to build communities – and celebrating National Picnic Week is a great way to get your family, friends and neighbours round to spend quality time together.

“Whether it’s a kids’ tea party or a big family gathering to make the most of the longer evenings, we’re encouraging homeowners everywhere to join in the fun – whether you’re outside enjoying the sunshine or even inside escaping the rain!”

So first prepare the picnic food. The two keys are simplicity and difference. Simplicity means keeping the preparation to a minimum.

Make a couple of quiches if you must, but equally you can buy a couple of supermarket quiches. It’s a picnic – no one is expecting a Jamie Oliver wild rice salad or a Mary Berry orange spice cake.

Difference means not providing the stuff you might have every day in a school or office. If your lot have tuna sandwiches every day, they won’t be excited if they turn up again in the picnic. Think outside the (lunch) box and surprise them.

That goes for the drinks too, of course. Explore the supermarket shelves for all those countryside cordials you normally ignore.

And make sure there’s plenty of everything – the combination of fresh air and novelty increases everyone’s appetite.

Next, think about entertainment. Music is easy, but also add a fun game that everyone can play, like lawn darts or boules, or even a board game (but watch the paper money, if there’s a breeze).

Remember to take sun protection in the form of hats and sunscreen, and try to make sure there’s shade for those who want it. Insect repellent might also be needed, depending on the time of year and time of day.

A picnic is a good opportunity to ask the neighbours round, and if it suddenly rains – well, just take it all indoors and spread the blanket on the living room carpet.

Want to go a bit further afield? Then some great local picnic spots include:

Cannock Chase Country Park, Cannock Chase AONB, Milford, Stafford, ST17 0UB

Charlecote Park, Charlecote, Warwick, CV35 9ER

Chasewater Country Park, Pool Lane, Burntwood WS8 7NL

Kingsberry Water Park, Bodymoor Heath Lane, Sutton Coldfield, B76 9JB

Worcester Woods Country Park, Worcester, WR5 2LG

Baggeridge Country Park, Dudley, DY3 4HB

Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve, Long Bank, DY14 9XQ

For information on Taylor Wimpey developments across the region is available by calling 0121 703 3400 or by visiting www.taylorwimpey.co.uk.