Simple strategies for planning a picnic, including tips on what to bring and why.
Nova Scotia summers are a constant invitation to bring alfresco dining, and I gladly accept them. On sunny days the beach lures us and I always have a basket ready.
It strikes me that in all my writings on al fresco dining, I never specifically pointed out how to plan a picnic. Today’s post summarizes the best of my knowledge with practical tips on what to bring and why it matters.
Get ready for an unforgettable trip – how to plan a picnic!
Start with a nutrition plan
Like your weekday meals, The art of the picnic starts with a menu plan and some meal prep. It might just be a post-it on the fridge and a quick veggie wash the night before, but every bit of planning will help you get out the door faster.
Ranch salad dressing, hard-boiled eggs, two-bite brownies, sliced melon, grilled veggies, washed veggies, iced tea, potato salad, boiled pasta, peach platter pie… these are all great examples of picnic prep.
keep it simple
Picnic food doesn’t have to be overly complicated. It really could be an absolutely fabulous dish – like my antipasti pasta salad to make ahead – and a bottle of sparkling or sparkling water. That’s it.
Adopt what you can easily handle in your current stage of life. I always hire my kids to help and they take care of filling water bottles, getting snacks and building sandwiches. When they were little, I made almost everything in advance. It’s enough work to get kids out the door with sunscreen on!
Of course you can enjoy complicated! Then impress your picnic guests with gastronomic delights like herb butter with edible flowers or the delightful sour cream panna cotta with strawberry compote. (Yes, they travel well, with a proper lid of course)
Keep it plentiful
There is something about eating in nature that stimulates the appetite. It is important that the contents of the picnic basket are substantial, nutritious and, above all, plentiful.
Maybe that’s what comes to mind because I always pack for teenagers, but still, having leftovers is better than running out of food.
The Best Picnic Foods – and my BBQ Chicken Recipe – are a great starting point for recipes. Here you will find everything from main courses and salads to snacks and desserts.
keep it fresh
My biggest problem with picnic food has always been: too much bread. Plan a menu that focuses on bright flavors, low protein, and lots of fresh vegetables. With picnic season coinciding with peak summer produce season, there’s no excuse not to eat the rainbow.
This spring picnic with 5 do-ahead recipes is a perfect example. And this romantic summer sunset picnic for two celebrates the bounty of the farmers’ market.
Practical picnic equipment
A soft cooler bag and a sturdy handle basket are two picnic essentials that go well together. All of my baskets have been used so keep an eye out for garage sales and vintage shops.
The picnic basket contains non-food items (listed below) and maybe a baguette or bag of chips. I keep mine packed and ready to go all summer long.
The soft cool bag holds groceries and cold packs. After a decade of picnics, it’s time for an upgrade and I have my eye on this cooler with a dedicated compartment for wine.
If you don’t want to invest in a cooler bag, just use some of your largest insulated lunch boxes with ice packs! Fill them up, throw them in a backpack or cloth bag and you’re good to go.
Master the art of wrapping a cool box
To have a successful beach trip for a big group you need a well-stocked camper-style cool box – ideally with wheels. I’ve done the research and given you the coolest hacks to make sure everything goes to plan (and doesn’t spoil anything).
Read the post: Best Cooler Hacks for a Beach Picnic
When we’re at the sea, it’s an all-day affair and we’re always with friends. I try to pack enough for two full meals for 8 plus snacks. This is when I make the switch from a soft, insulated bag to a camping-style cooler.
basic Picnic set for 2
This goes in my mini picnic basket. I like to keep it eco-friendly with as much bamboo, wood, melamine or enamelware in the mix as possible. These are packaged for loan as part of my community zero waste picnic baskets all summer long.
- 2 plates
- 2 sets of utensils
- 2 cloth napkins
- 2 cups or cups
- Wooden Mini Cutting Board/Plate
- Small thermos
- berry baskets
- small jam jars
- pocket knife
Deluxe picnic set for a group
- 8 plates
- 4 bowls
- 6-8 cups/mug
- 6 cloth napkins
- 1 tablecloth (optional)
- Utils
- berry baskets
- Cake/Cake Server
- serving spoon
- corkscrew
- compost bag
- Silicone cutting board
- large hot/cold thermos
- few small jam jars
- 1 pop top glass bottle
- Salt and pepper shaker
- pocket knife
Troubleshooting Pet Peeves
Weather: fight or flight?
Don’t fight the elements. You will never win against wind, rain or rising tide (especially the tide!). I’ll be the first to admit that I ate my sandwich in the car while the windshield wipers whined frantically.
You need to know and understand your location and then make an informed decision. In the Maritimes the weather changes every five minutes and we have learned to wait out the storm. We are almost always rewarded with clearing skies and less wind.
Creatures: Fight or Flight?
Fight those bugs! A small Thermacell works wonders against mosquitoes and black flies. Wasps are aggressive, so save all candy until the last minute. Don’t leave food outside.
Try to make peace with nature as much as possible. Remember, you’re going into her space!
Clean up
Here’s a method for a quick and smart clean. I’ll bring a small disposable compost bag and a kitchen waste bag. We sort quickly on site as plates are scraped and rubbish rounded up. I wrap used dishes in used cloth napkins and stack the plates. Everything goes into the now empty cool box (not in the basket!), which can be properly disinfected at home.
Plan relaxation
Even a simple picnic will benefit from a little forethought. Every picnic you plan will be easier than the last and over time you’ll be storming out the door in no time.
One last tip: remember to relax! Kick off your shoes and let your feet feel the grass or sand. It’s your summer; enjoy it to the fullest.
Share your picnic wisdom in the comments!