We find summer picnics a little bit nostalgic. Why? They are the kind of activities that invite us to slow down, to trade our habits of drinking coffee on the go for spending time in an open green space, and rediscover the simple pleasure of sharing food and drinks with people we love, who also want to escape their busy schedules and the crowded city for a while. It doesn’t really matter where you’ll have the picnic; it can be in the local park, at a lakeside gathering spot, or maybe on the beach if you’re lucky to live nearby one. You should dedicate some time to preparing for this activity so you can transform it from an ordinary experience to a memorable one.
And we don’t talk about planning an elaborate picnic, but about considering the thoughtful details that will make you feel at ease and encourage you to enjoy every minute of it. This guide provides you with a list of things we find important when planning a picnic meant to take your ordinary afternoon and transform it into a moment that will energize you for a long time.
A Spacious Picnic Blanket
Let’s start from the ground: you need a large water-resistant blanket so you can have enough room to lie down, relax, and store everything you need to use during the picnic. We like brands like YETI and Pendleton for picnic blankets because they sell durable outdoor blankets designed to be used repeatedly. You want to feel comfortable for the entire day, right? So invest in a blanket that will give you no headaches and allow you to spend as much time as you want outside. Also, make sure that the blanket folds neatly into a compact carry, so you can pack it easily and transport it without a fuss.
A Stylish Backpack
Yes, you’re heading to a picnic, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dress stylishly just because you’ll spend some time in nature. You need a backpack that is up to the task because you don’t want to end up looking for your essentials only to figure out they’re at home because you didn’t have enough room in the picnic bag for them. Accessories are part of the picnic experience because they improve it, so don’t make the mistake of labeling them as afterthoughts. At Loungefly you find a range of backpacks that offer enough room for your everyday picnic necessities, for example. We like this brand because it crafts backpacks with multiple compartments, inspired by our favorite shows, so we can carry everything we need (sunscreen, sunglasses, snacks, a portable charger, our phone, and other small essentials) without sacrificing style.
Refreshing Drinks
Hydration is vital during the summer days, and now that you’re planning an outdoor picnic, you shouldn’t underestimate the damage heat can do to your body. So add to your list some insulated bottles or tumblers. We prefer brands like Stanley and Hydro Flask because they are designed to keep the water, homemade lemonade, and other liquids cold for hours, and you’ll have no issue drinking them. Investing in some high-quality reusable bottles not only reduces waste but also ensures that you have access to cold drinks because you pack them in advance and don’t rely on disposable plastic.
Fresh Food
It’s a picnic, so of course you need food, and preferably some easy-to-share food. The most delicious picnic menus are usually the simplest, so don’t stress out too much about what dishes to prepare. You should pack in a basket some fruits, homemade bread, pasta salad, wraps, olives, hummus, and maybe even some homemade dessert that travels well. Keep in mind that it’s hot outside, so you must take with you only food that won’t get bad after a couple of hours outside the fridge. So, don’t browse the web for the most complicated meals, but focus on some dishes that taste as good cold as they would do warm at home. It would be great to prepare individual portions to make serving easier and ensure everyone has something to snack on.
An Insulated Cooler Bag
It’s summer; it’s pretty hot outside, and you need to make sure that your food won’t spoil before you reach the picnic spot, or while you’re there, so you need an essential tool: the cooler bag that keeps your food safe during this activity and maintains the flavor fresh. If you don’t already have one, we recommend brands such as RTIC and PackIt because they make bags that are easy to transport and maintain a consistent temperature so you can enjoy the dairy products, sandwiches, fruits, and even chilled drinks while basking in the sun.
Sun Protection
You shouldn’t even leave the house if you don’t have sun protection because UV can damage your skin, not only during summer, but year-round. However, during summer the UV index tends to be higher, so you should make sure that you apply a layer of sunscreen before leaving home and also bring a bottle in the picnic bag so you can reapply it every couple of hours. Mineral sunscreens from brands like La Roche-Posay are people’s favorites these days because they offer reliable protection and leave your skin feeling comfortable the entire day.
A Leave-No-Trace Mindset
You cannot pack this one, but it’s a must for your picnic list because you should leave the space exactly as you found it to show respect to nature and other people. By bringing reusable containers, you lower the chance of leaving something behind. It would also be a good idea to use recyclable materials and collect all rubbish you generate during the picnic. Also, if there is wildlife around it would be best not to make too much noise or listen to too loud music that might disturb the animals. Sustainability doesn’t come from grand gestures, but from respecting nature as your second home.
And this is how you plan the best picnic of your life. Use this recipe time and time again, and you’ll notice how you improve your quality of life.
