After you’ve found the perfect picnic spot and perfect picnicking partner, all you need are a few essentials to guarantee an amazing time. Below are five items you should always pack for your picnic to ensure everything goes off without a hitch.
- Sunscreen
If you are going to be eating outside you owe it to yourself and your dining partners a basic protection from the sun. Overexposure to the sun is a great way to damage your skin. Make sure the sunscreen you buy has UVB protection that prevents sunburn. - Wipes or Napkins
Carrying disposable wipes is a little bit controversial because you should try to avoid utilizing disposables as much as possible when picnicking. But, spills happen, and spills can be sticky. It can be hard to find a fresh and clean source of water while dining in the great outdoors to clean up messes. A good set of wipes or cloth napkins will function as a decent hand sanitizer when you need one. - Mosquito Spray
When you’re eating outside, you absolutely want to avoid falling victim to mosquitoes/bugs. You don’t need to pack an entire can of repellent with you, but make sure you use a natural nontoxic spray. Assuming the smell isn’t bothersome, it’s a great way to keep the mosquitoes from swarming around you. - Blanket
No picnic is complete without a picnic blanket. It’s not always fun to spread your meal on a park bench. And you don’t want to lay down on the grass or beach sand without a blanket – that’s how you get stains. - Trash Bag
There is one golden rule to follow when you are outdoors, pack out what you pack in. That means, don’t leave your trash around. Pack a trash bag so you can throw away any scraps of food or disposables that you might have brought with you. This is one easy way to make sure you avoid littering in public places.
Planning a picnic by itself is exciting. Apart from the basic checklist, you also need to plan on cooking a travel-friendly meal. Pack foods that are not a hassle to eat, and carry them in food storage containers that work well as a mini casserole. Choose insulated steel containers so the food you pack for your picnic will be fresh and hot or cold. Every time you plan a picnic, you are creating a memory, one that you would cherish for life, so make sure you do it the right way!