Planning a pretty perfect Picnic!

Picnics are always such fun, aren’t they? And planning a pretty perfect picnic is so easy!

So, read on to feel inspired to grab your picnic blanket, basket and some great food and head outdoors!

We celebrated Father’s Day this year by planning and going on a pretty perfect picnic! We packed up all our goodies and headed out to one of our Botanical Gardens – a great place with lots of room for the kids to run around and play!

I was a little bit apprehensive about how our picnic would turn out, as we haven’t done a picnic with three little kids in tow before- but in the end our pretty perfect picnic was, well… pretty perfect! 😉

I’m going to tell you how to go about planning a picnic -what to pack, bring along and some things to do…so if you feel like heading out for the day, you’ll have everything right and ready to go!

Planning a pretty perfect picnic…

What to take to eat…

Drinks

Water

Lemonade or ice tea

Other beverages if you would like

Something warm – like coffee or tea (use travel mugs or a flask for a larger crowd!)

Food

Bread: A bun filled with ham and cheese/ a baguette, croissant or equivalent

Salad: A mason jar with a layered salad is the perfect accompaniment to your bread (vegetarian or with meat)

Carrot and cucumber strips with hummus dip (really any vegetables will do – think, peppers, celery, olives)

Crisps (Dry snacks – this could be substituted with something like nuts or pretzels for the more discerning palate – bear in mind I have three kids, all 7 years and under 😉)

Don’t forget the serveware – cutlery and crockery, as well as storage to transport dirty items home! (I prefer not to use disposable items, as I try my best to not use single use plastic more than I need to and be as environmentally friendly as possible)

Salt and pepper – nothing is worse than bland food!

Serviettes! (Use wet cloths for smaller family members, well, because things can get messy and sticky pretty quickly! 😂)

Dessert

Cheesecake topped with fresh berries, served in a mason jar (perfect for transporting!) I used this recipe…

Marshmallows to cook on the fire or barbecue…

What to take for comfort…

Blankets

Cushions for comfort (and if you’d like to take a little nap!)

Sunglasses, hats and sunscreen

A jacket – in case the wind picks up or there is a cool breeze

Comfortable walking shoes – in case you feel inclined to go on a stroll

What to take for fun…

Books

Balls/ mini cricket, swingball, frisbee (things for the kids amusement)

Card games (we love UNO, as all the kids can join in)

Music (if the spot you’ve chosen to picnic at allows it)

Pets (same as above)

Camera! (Don’t forget to capture those memories!)

Some extra tips for planning a pretty perfect picnic…

Remember to take dishes that travel well!

– a handy tip is to pack food in sturdy mason jars. For salads add the sauce/dressing to the bottom of the jar so that food doesn’t become soggy, I also find that fewer ingredients per dish is better!

– Finger foods or some individual items that can be eaten easily without the need for lots of utensils are also first prize!

– Pack your goods in a cooler bag. Use sturdy cardboard, a chopping board or a tray to separate and support layers.

– Remember to take either two containers, so that on return one can be filled with empty/dirty containers and utensils, while the other one can be used for leftover food – or alternatively remember to pack a bag for your trash.

I hope you have so much fun! Let me know if there is anything else you take along with you, or special things you like to do on a picnic in the comments – I would love to hear your ideas for our next picnic!