Picnics Made Easy

When the weather warms up one of my favorite things to do is put together a picnic. Picnics really can be easy. They can be quick to put together and casual for everyone to enjoy that way it does not feel like a big event that takes too long to prepare for. Usually our picnics end up right outside in the backyard.  Sometimes we take our picnics to local parks. My favorite picnic idea is to pick up hot wings at the local food truck and then take them to a  park to enjoy while watching the river.

We pretty much always have ingredients for sandwiches on hand, so that is often what we make to take on our picnics. You may want to make wraps, or salad, or cheese and crackers, depending on what you have available.

Food Ideas for an Easy Picnic

• sandwiches – keep them simple
• salad – the key is the container and keep the dressing on the side until you are ready to eat
• cheese, crackers, and cured meats
• fruit – grapes, bananas, apples, or whatever is in season
• veggies – carrots and celery
• chips
• bagels
• wraps with extra lettuce

Picnic Gear

Getting outside with all that stuff may seem like too much work. With the right gear, that too can be easy. Here are some great gear choices to make picnicking fun. Remember, you don’t even have to do that great of a job wrapping up the food. Stick it on a paper plate, slap a piece of plastic wrap over it and stack it in the picnic basket.

Picnic Drink Holders

What I found that works the best to carry drinks out is a plastic tote made for kid’s crafts. There is a handle at the center and three compartments that help keep drinks from falling over. You may be able to find a tool caddy or art supply carrier that works the same way.

Best Picnic Basket

The picnic basket I use is great because it is insulated and has one giant compartment that I can easily fit all the food into. Another reason this picnic basket is the best is that the lid zips completely off so it is easy to fit that stack of paper plates. Some baskets have a hing in the center of the lid so it is hard to fit large items into the basket.

Waterproof Picnic Blanket

I have used several different picnic blankets and they all pretty much work the same as long as they are waterproof. The two I have now fold up and have a strap for easy carrying. I usually keep one in the car that I use for a quick stop at the park. Sometimes in the backyard we throw an old comforter on top of the picnic blanket for some extra padding.

The more you do it the easier it gets because you realize just how little is actually necessary to have a fun picnic. A little bit of planning ahead and having the right supplies ready can make all the difference. Picnicking is a fun way to get outside and enjoy the day and change up your routine.