When choosing a place, do a little research. If you need a picnic table, make sure the area has some. You may want to check for things like bathrooms and running water, too.
It’s important to decide what time of day you want to have your picnic, as that will affect the food you choose.
You could also bring along a board game that’s fun to play outside, such as Twister. If you’re at a nature reserve, consider going on a hike to a picnic spot!
Remember, if you invite a lot of people, you’ll need to plan on bringing food for that many people, unless you do a potluck. With a potluck, you’d provide a main dish and have everyone else bring sides. Also think about the venue. Make sure it has enough tables for your group if you’ll have a lot of people. You may need to reserve the space for a large group. You could also plan a picnic date for your significant other! Picnic dates are a great opportunity to have a nice meal together, enjoy a nice conversation, and relax.
Making a checklist helps you keep track of what you need to bring so you don’t forget anything! If you’re going on a picnic date, you could ask your significant other to pick up a few of the items and bring them along.
If that’s not your thing, you can always invite them in person or over social media for an easy fix.
For instance, try sandwiches, cottage cheese, or egg salad. Fruits like strawberries, bananas, oranges, or apples are also great options! You could also try things like fried chicken, cookies, pinwheel sandwiches, pigs in a blanket, or burritos.
For instance, try bruschetta and toasted bread, goat cheese and crackers, or a salmon and cream cheese frittata. You could also bring a variety of cheeses or dips, along with crackers and chips. If you want to bring salads and veggie-centric dishes, opt for hearty vegetables instead of leaf lettuce. That way, you can dress it at home and not worry about it wilting.
If you’re planning a picnic for adults, you could bring beer or wine, but make sure it’s allowed in the area you’re going. Some water attractions don’t allow glass bottles, for instance, while some parks ban alcohol altogether.
You can also pack a small amount of a condiment in a food jar you’ve washed out, such as a pickle relish jar. That way, you don’t have to go out of your way to buy special mini jars. Another option is to save condiment packets from fast-food places and bring those along. [10] X Research source
Remember, you’ll need to cart all those reusable plates back out with you! Don’t forget napkins or paper towels, too. Add in a trash bag or a few grocery bags to cart home dirty items and gather trash. You may also want to bring hand wipes or hand sanitizer to clean everyone’s hands before eating!
Lay any fragile items on top so they don’t break![14] X Research source You can also use a plastic bin or a cardboard box to carry items.
Aim to fill 25% of the cooler with ice. [16] X Research source For a large crowd, try keeping drinks in a separate container. That way, people won’t be letting hot air into the cooler where the food is.
Be sure to wrap any raw meat up in a package by itself before putting it in the cooler. That way, you’re less likely to contaminate other foods.
You could also bring a large umbrella to protect you from the rain or sun!
