Whether you’re planning an intimate picnic with a loved one or a large family or corporate gathering, picnicking is a great way to connect. Getting out of the stale indoor environment is great for your health as well as your mood! Let’s go picnicking!
Great Places For Picnicking
Picking a good picnicking spot is an art. You want to evaluate where you are and the type of experience you want to have. If you’re planning an intimate picnic, find a spot where there aren’t going to be a ton of other people around. If you’re planning on group picnicking, you need to keep the types of activities you’re planning in mind when picking your spot. For water games, choose a spot near a water spigot. For lawn games such as Washer Toss or Hillbilly Golf, choose a spot near a big, clear field.
The location of the picnic spot is also something you want to keep in mind. If you’re planning a large gathering, such as a family reunion or work picnic, you want to choose a location that is central to most people who are coming. If your picnic spot is too far away, some people won’t come.
Lastly, think about the weather. If there is a possibility of rain, try to find a park that has a pavilion or an area where you can set up an alternative shelter. Bring a canopy tent if possible or at least a tarp with some rope. You can always rig up a makeshift canopy with the tarp between a few trees.
Picnic Preparation
Make sure you have everything ready to go before you leave. You don’t want to get out to your remote, secluded spot to find you’ve forgotten a key item. Packing for your picnicking experience will involve basic food as well as the items you need for any activities.
Bring foods that can either be left out in warm temperatures or will be ok in a cooler for a while. Consider bringing mason jar strawberry cheesecakes which can be eaten right out of the jar. Sandwiches are great as they can be pre-assembled so you don’t have to bring jars and containers. For ketchup, mustard, and other condiments, you can get small jars, or bring unopened ones that don’t require refrigeration until opened. When you travel home after your picnic you’ll have plenty of room in your cooler for the opened condiments. And don’t forget those Monster Cookies for little hands! They’re easy to grab as they run by the picnic table and head off to another fun activity.
Make sure you throw things like cups, plates, napkins, utensils, and serving spoons in a bag. Going for disposable will help eliminate the amount of things you have to haul back with you. Just be sure that if you’re picnicking in an area that doesn’t have trash receptacles, you bring trash bags to dispose of your items at home. If you want inexpensive, reusable items, check out the dollar store for some great finds.
Other things you want to consider are sun exposure, insects, and injuries. If you’re going to be in a wooded area, you want to ward off mosquitos and repel ticks as well. Don’t go home with itchy little bug bites or a possible disease from a tick bite. Being prepared for an injury is always smart too. Pack a well-stocked first aid kit just in case the unexpected happens.
Picnicking Games & Activities
If you’re going as a group, plan some activities beyond eating. Group games allow everyone to play together and will help with team building! There are some great games that you can make yourself or purchase and are portable and fun. Try Lawn Bowling or the age-old game of Koob! Bring along some water balloons to help everyone cool off on a hot day.
Picnicking is a great way to connect with others as well as nature. There’s nothing like gathering for a meal in the fresh air and conversing with family and friends. So pack up and get out to that great spot you know has been in the back of your mind the whole time you were reading this!
Do you have a fun picnic game or food that always accompanies your picnics? Tell us about it in the comments below!
