Finally, summer 2023 is here! The temperatures rise, the days grow longer, and the lure of the outdoors becomes irresistible. This is the best season to have a picnic and enjoy nature with our family, friends, or significant other.
And when planning a picnic with our loved ones, we want everything to be perfect. But every time, in 99% of cases, we understand that we forgot something. Or that we could take something else or something more, and what a shame this idea didn’t come to our mind earlier… Ugh! Is it even possible to organize an awesome picnic and not forget anything?
Yes, it is! Being a car accessories store, we know a thing or two about smooth journeys. And to help you deal with picnic planning like a boss, we have prepared this June blog post for you.
Today we’ll discuss how to plan and pack the perfect picnic and share some non-obvious tips to ensure you don’t miss any important detail. So buckle up, rev up those engines, and get ready to have a picnic of your life!
Choosing a location
-First of all, start by choosing a place for your picnic. It could be:
-City park
-Beach
-Edge of the forest
-Lake or river
-Mountain
-Lawn next to the city museum
-Or even your own backyard
When choosing a location, consider your company. If you’re planning a picnic with children, it’s a good idea to choose a place with playground equipment. And if it’s a romantic picnic, a quiet and scenic location would be perfect. You may also want to check things like public restrooms and trash cans beforehand.
A little tip: If you choose a natural area, consider the features of your location. Like this, you may need insect repellent or even special clothing, particularly if you’re going to the mountains. If you or your loved one is allergic to certain flowers or plants, this should also be taken into account – otherwise, instead of happy memories, your picnic will be full of sneezes.
Consider time and weather!
Considering the weather and time of day is more important than you think. This can affect a lot of things that may seem minor but change the whole game.
So, be sure to check the weather forecast. Even if it’s a perfectly sunny day and there is not a cloud in the sky, it is still quite possible that in a couple of hours, in the midst of the fun, it will rain. Believe us – it is better to check the weather in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises.
If you’re planning a picnic in the morning, when the sun is at its brightest, take care of hats and sunscreens. And if you’re planning to go out in the evening, it’s a good idea to grab a light jacket, just in case.
A little tip: Always make sure there’s shade nearby, especially during the summer. Trees or pavilions can provide relief from the sun. An open field can be great on a mild day, but terrible in heat or when the sun is bright.
Planning activities
Picnics aren’t just about food – they’re also a way to have fun and create precious memories together. So when planning the perfect picnic, be sure to think about some great activities.
For example, if your location doesn’t have much of a playground, bring Frisbees or a soccer ball. And if you’re relaxing by the river, why not take fishing rods with you?
Here are other activity ideas that can lighten up your picnic:
-Tennis or badminton
-Kite flying
-Twister
-Outdoor craft (create bouquets or wreaths, or collect leaves or twigs and make collages)
-Chess or checkers
-Card and board games
-Drawing the landscape
-Scavenger hunt
-Yoga or meditation
Think about what is interesting for you and your loved ones, and make your picnic truly unforgettable!
A little tip: Don’t take too many entertainment supplies, especially if you’ll be carrying your picnic luggage. Choose one or two types of activity – this will be just enough to have a great time.
Creating a checklist
Once you’ve decided on the company, location, time and activities, it’s time to think of what you need to bring.
In order not to forget anything, we strongly recommend making a checklist in advance. Make it a couple of days before the picnic, so you can add something you forgot the first time.
Here is our list of things to pack for the perfect picnic, categorized for convenience.
Picnic gear:
-Picnic basket
-Picnic blanket
-Food and drinks
-Napkins and wet wipes
-Trash bags or portable trash can (to clean up after)
-Plates, cups, and utensils
-Bottle opener or corkscrew (if needed)
Comfort items:
-Sunscreen
-Insert repellent
-Sunglasses
-Hats or caps
-Extra clothing or blankets (if it’s likely to get cold)
Safety items:
-First-aid kit
-Map or navigation (if you’re going to a new place out of town)
-Flashlight (if you plan to stay till late)
Entertainment:
-Games, sports gear, or other activities of your choice
-Portable charger
Of course, some items are optional depending on the factors we discussed earlier. If you have ideas for what else to include in our ultimate checklist, feel free to share them in the comments below!
Choosing food and drinks
The choice of food and drink is the key to the perfect picnic. You don’t want to run out of food. At the same time, you don’t want your food to be thrown away or carried back home after a picnic.
So how to choose food and drinks to strike a balance?
Let’s start with food. First of all, opt for food that is easy to carry. Soft cupcakes and ice cream are not the best ideas here. Next, choose food that is easy to eat. Don’t bring meals that you need to eat with a fork and knife. Instead, take food that you can eat with your hands or one utensil. Remember that too much fussiness creates an unnecessary mess! And we don’t want that.
Here is our list of foods that are perfect for a picnic:
-Boiled eggs
-Sandwiches and wraps
-Chicken drumsticks
-Pies or quiches
-Salads (pasta or potato salads, for example)
-Pizza
-Croissants with curd cheese
-Cheese and crackers
-Cookies (be sure to choose options that won’t melt)
-Fresh fruits (apples, grapes, bananas, berries)
-Hummus and veggie sticks (carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers)
-Sauces and condiments
A little tip: Bring small packets of sauces and condiments commonly found at fast-food places. This way you don’t have to take a whole jar of mustard or pour spices into individual jars, which then need to be carried back home.
And what about drinks?
To stay hydrated, we advise you to choose not only sweet drinks, as they make you even more thirsty. It’s best to strike a balance between plain water and something tastier. Here are our ideas for your inspiration:
-Water (plain, sparkling, or mineral)
-Flavored sparkling water
-Soda
-Juice
-Iced tea
-Lemonade
-Cold brew coffee
Here are some adult drink ideas that are perfect to complement your picnic:
-Wine
-Cider or beer
-Cocktails (mojitos, margaritas, or sangria are great picnic choices)
-Hard seltzer
-Prosecco or champagne
A little tip: If you’re going to bring alcoholic drinks, be sure to check that they are allowed in your area. Some city parks ban alcohol, while some water attractions don’t allow glass bottles. Also, be careful with alcohol in hot weather – be sure to take plenty of drinking water with you!
How to pack smart?
So, everything is ready, and it’s high time to pack. Are there any tips and tricks to pack for a picnic easily? Sure there are!
1. Pack your picnic basket in the order in which you will need to take things outside. Put nonperishable food on the bottom, and your picnic blanket on top so you can pull it out first to put on the ground.
2. Pack your food and drinks in a cooler or insulated bag with ice packs if it’s a hot day and your picnic spot doesn’t have shade. This will help keep your drinks cold and your food fresh and safe to eat.
3. Cover your food tightly. Wherever you’re outside, you’ll run into bugs. Also, you don’t want anything to spill, don’t you? So pack your food tightly to avoid bugs and mess.
4. Take disposable tableware and utensils made of paper or other biodegradable materials if you don’t want to carry home plates and forks back and forth.
5. If you’re bringing fragile items with you, be sure to place them on top so they don’t break.
So, we hope this article was helpful, and now you are ready for the best picnic of your life. If you have any other ideas we forgot to mention – we’d love to hear from you in the comments.
Stay tuned and let’s make the most of this beautiful season together!
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