A picnic is a perfect way to enjoy good company and great food in a fun and memorable fashion. There’s no limit to what you can or can’t do to make your picnic memorable, so why wait? Here’s how to pack for a great picnic that you’ll want to recreate again and again!
How to pack the perfect picnic
Let’s just say that we’re going for a simple but sophisticated picnic, one that you’d share with some friends for a special occasion or with a partner for a romantic date. Here’s what you’ll need to start with in order to create your perfect picnic!
Picnic supplies
A blanket
When we think of picnics, the first thing that comes to mind is usually a big, comfy picnic blanket. It’s what ties in the whole aesthetic and it serves as the foundation (literally and figuratively) of a picturesque picnic.
Whether you’re eating at a picnic table or relaxing on the grass, it’s important to have a quality blanket or tablecloth to serve food on. Look for a blanket that’s large enough to both sit on and eat on, is sturdy and won’t tear, will keep you dry from any moisture on the ground, and is easily washable.
Plates, cups & utensils
Leave the plastic cutlery and paper plates behind, opting for enamel utensils instead! Not only is it more eco-friendly than disposable picnicware, but it will hold up far better to wet foods like fruit, salads and sauces.
Plus, it will look prettier in all your photos!
A bag
Okay, we’re gonna just come out and say it, but a picnic basket is not the ideal picnicking bag. Sure, they look great in pictures (by all means, bring one for the aesthetic alone!), but they’re a little impractical when it comes to actually carrying your items. The handles are uncomfortable, it’s hard to pack items inside and there’s practically no good way to clean it properly.
Use reusable grocery bags or whatever bags you already have to transport your items to your picnic site. Don’t worry about how they look, as you can always stash them away for later. Focus on practicality and functionality rather than the tradition of using a picnic basket, and your setup and tear-down will be so much easier!
A cooler
If you’re planning on having cold foods like fruit, cheese, meats, salads and the like, then a cooler will absolutely be worth the extra space. This will keep the wine cold, the water crisp, the veggies fresh and the spirits high, especially on warm days!
Bug stuff
The absolute last thing you’ll want on your picture-perfect picnic is for it to be ruined by a few greedy mosquitos.
Sitting on or disturbing grass usually kicks up lots of critters during the summer months, so have some kind of bug repellent with you no matter where you go. If you’re anywhere near water then you'll absolutely want something to keep away the insects.
Picnic food & drinks
Finger foods
Picnics are less about the meal and more about the occasion, location and company. That being said, picnics are a great chance to splurge on your favorite finger foods that can keep you happy and snacking for hours and hours!
Opt instead for an assortment of finger foods rather than one large meal, as they will last longer and are usually easier to pack.
When packing any kind of picnic food, make sure that you use leak-proof packaging that will also protect your food from being crushed. Pack your picnic bag or cooler like you would pack your grocery bag — heavy, leak-proof items on the bottom and softer single-item foods on the top.
Here are some great picnic foods to try!
- Veggie wraps
- Charcuterie boards
- Fruit assortments
- Fresh bread and olive oil dips
- Popcorn
- Pasta salads
- Watermelon
- Veggie sticks and dips
Check out our guide on how to build a charcuterie board for a comprehensive list of everything you’ll need for this sophisticated picnic meal!
Drinks
There’s no limit to what you can bring in terms of food and drink, but having sealable containers will make your picnic experience so much easier.
Canned drinks and bottle-top glass bottles will attract insects if not covered, and they won’t stay upright very long if you’re on uneven ground. There are usually sealable versions of nearly every kind of drink out there, so opt for those instead!
Picnic tips
Don’t forget the extra items
There’s always the chance that we'll forget to pack a miscellaneous item that will, somehow, present a greater problem that we thought. Don’t worry, though, as it happens to the best of us!
Here’s a quick list of those extra little items that will hopefully fill in those gaps in memory!
- Corkscrew
- Napkins
- Trash bag
- Sharp knife for cutting
- Hand sanitizer
- Lighter (for citronella candles, for example)
- Blanket weights
- Umbrella/shade cover
- Plastic wrap/beeswax covers for leftovers
- Salt and pepper
- Sunscreen
- Pillows or chairs to sit on
Bring something to do!
A picnic is a great time to relax and enjoy the outdoors, so bring something to do that will keep you occupied and enjoying the fresh air! Bring that book you’ve been wanting to read, or break out that new card game your parents gave you for Christmas. Listen to a podcast, try your hand at watercolors, give embroidery a go… whatever you want to do, bring it along!
Pack out your trash
A good rule of thumb is to pack out any trash you have, no matter where you go. Most parks won’t recycle, and sometimes trash collection is few and far between. If you can, take your trash home with you where you can separate and recycle it!
Enjoy your picnic!
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Featured photo courtesy Unsplash/Josue Michel
Colleen Ford is a South African who now lives on Oahu in Hawai'i. She loves to travel, camp, spearfish and hike. She's also part of a super cool canoe club and is pretty decent at it. Colleen enjoys Star Wars and also not being cold ever.
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