Must-Have Items to Pack for the Perfect Picnic

Pack everything you need for your next picnic with this complete checklist.

Heading out for a picnic is one of life’s simple pleasures. Whether you’re planning a romantic date, a family outing, or a relaxing day at the park with friends, a little preparation can ensure your outdoor feast is nothing short of perfection.

You might be wondering, though, what exactly you need to bring along to make your picnic seamless and enjoyable. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

With this guide from Blain’s Farm & Fleet, you will be able to pack a picnic perfectly, leaving you free to soak up the sunshine, enjoy delicious food, and create lasting memories with your loved ones.

Picnic Basket and Cooler

It doesn’t matter if you want the old-fashioned wicker basket or an insulated tote bag. You’ll need something to carry your picnic supplies in. It may seem obvious, but choose a basket that will fit all of your food and whatever you’re not throwing in the cooler.

You can stack sandwiches, salads, and beverages neatly in a cooler to prevent the food from moving around. A cooler with rolling wheels is great over flat terrain or if there are some bumps along away. Use ice packs in your cooler to keep your cold food cold.

Picnic Blanket

A picnic wouldn’t feel right without a soft blanket to lie down on the ground. You’ll be able to relax in the sun and shade and enjoy a picnic lunch on a perfect summer’s day. Feel free to use a throw blanket, fleece blanket, or whatever else you have lying around the house.

If you want a one that’s meant just for picnicking, we recommend a water-resistant or folding blanket. These ones will hold up better and are meant for using outdoors.

Food and Drink

Plan ahead to guarantee a perfect picnic menu. Choose foods that require little work to make and eat, such as finger foods. Sandwiches, salads, pasta salads, fruits, and vegetables are easy picnic foods. 

Throw snacks, such as beef jerky, nuts, dried fruit, and candy in the picnic basket or tote as well. Pack kid-friendly and adult beverages. And bring some water bottles to help you stay hydrated throughout the day.

Tableware

Bring along disposable plates so you don’t have to pack up dirty dishes when the picnic is through. Also bring disposable cutlery to use. Reusable food containers are perfect for packing food, and you won’t have to worry about spills and messes.

You may want to think about bringing along a cutting board for meats, fruits, cheese, and bread. Don’t forget to bring a knife. Remember to keep all knives and sharp tools away from children.

If you’re looking to relax with a drink or two, be sure to bring a corkscrew and bottle opener. We also recommend bringing can coolers and tumblers to keep your drinks nice and cool.

Cleanup Supplies

In case there is a mess, bring along some moist wipes to take care of sticky fingers. Also bring paper towels or paper napkins.

Make sure you clean up before you head home. Put all of your garbage in a trash bag, so other families can enjoy the outdoors, too.

Games and Entertainment

Don’t forget to enjoy your relaxing day by bringing along some fun games that your whole family can play together. Go head to head in a competitive game of bean bag toss, ladder golf, or a different fun lawn game. Or bring along a baseball and some baseball gloves to play a relaxing game of catch.

We also suggest bringing a portable speaker to play some music in the background while you eat.

Other Items to Keep in Mind

Whenever you’re going to be outside for a long period of time, it’s a good idea to bring along some bug spray. You should also pack sunscreen to keep everyone protected from UV rays. And it won’t hurt to pack a small first aid kit in case there are any mishaps at the picnic.

Once you have all your supplies together, you can enjoy the perfect day with your loved ones on a summer picnic.

For more tips like these, check out our other Sports and Outdoors articles.