Summer’s all about kicking back, soaking up the sun, and enjoying one another’s company. What better time to gather your friends and family for a picnic or two (or twenty)? Before you head out, you’ll want to be sure that you come prepared to prevent the breeze from spiriting your picnic away and keep those pesky insects away from your delicious food.
Follow these 9 helpful tips to raise your picnic game up a few notches and dine alfresco like a pro!
Keep It Cool – Want to keep your perishable food at a healthy temperature? Invest in a sturdy cooler to keep everything chilled! Make your cold drinks pull double-duty by putting small bottles of water at the bottom of the cooler and placing your smorgasbord on top! If you plan on devouring some warm food like freshly-baked pie, we suggest using a handy insulated bag.
Think Compact – It’s never fun lugging a whole bunch of heavy equipment to your picnic spot, so be smart about what you bring. Blankets that can fold up like a handbag and versatile flatware sets are always winners!
Bring Some Entertainment – Make your next picnic a blast with a few fun activities to do while you eat! Bring your favorite board game, a deck of cards, or some water balloons to help you cool off. Remember, it doesn’t have to be fancy – even something as easy as playing catch or Frisbee will make the experience fun and memorable!
Keep It Simple – The beautiful thing about picnics is that they don’t require you to prepare multiple courses or complex food. Simple is always best! Think finger foods, small sandwiches, mason jars of salad, and kebabs for your next summertime outing.
Go Green – You’re eating outside, so you should show Mother Nature some respect. Reduce paper waste by using eco-friendly items. We recommend packing stainless steel bottles and fabric napkins (They look fancier anyway!) in your basket. If you can’t avoid using disposable items, be sure to bring a trash bag to collect all of your garbage whenever you’re done!
Choose the Right Location – This doesn’t just apply to real estate! It’s important to pick the right setting for your alfresco dining. Try to find a shady spot at a park to stay cool or enjoy your spread by your favorite local lake or river.
Ban Bugs Right Away – Remember those little ants that always seem to crawl around food and picnic blankets in cartoons? Don’t let that happen to you! Keep bugs at bay by spraying on bug repellant away from food, and use hand wipes to clean up any sticky fingers.
Be Smart in the Sun – Don’t forget to protect yourself while you’re out in the sunshine! Apply SPF 30 sunscreen at least 20 minutes before stepping outside, and bring sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat with you to avoid sunburn.
Don’t Let Rainy Days Stop You – Who says you can’t have a picnic when it’s pouring outside? Throw down a blanket on the floor and enjoy your food in the living room! Bonus points for building an outdoor simulation picnic box – all you need’s a briefcase, a small patch of fake grass, and a miniature painting of your favorite scenery!
Are we missing any helpful picnic tips? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
