Enjoying a meal with family and friends outdoors is one of the best ways to spend a beautiful day. Some picnic items are a given, like something to sit on and delicious food and drinks, but there are less obvious things to bring to a picnic that you’ll be glad you thought to pack.
We pulled together a picnic checklist to help you plan what to bring to a picnic. Whether you’re unwinding at the beach, hiking in a park, packing a snack spread for a visit to a botanical garden, or hanging out in your backyard, this list of picnic essentials can help you ensure your picnic goes off without a hitch and is a fun and memorable time for all.
Picnic Essentials to Pack
The first picnic items you’ll need are those to create an outdoor table setting. Here are some picnic must haves to create the ultimate picnic environment:
Blanket or Tablecloth
The first item on our picnic essentials list is a blanket to serve as a table and offer soft seating. If the grass is damp, a vinyl tablecloth or water-resistant outdoor blanket also works to help keep you dry. For backyard picnic items, you could add some outdoor pillows or cushions for extra comfort.
Basket and/or Cooler
A picnic basket may be the most obvious thing to pack among picnic essentials. Traditional wicker baskets may be Insta-worthy, but they don’t offer temperature control for chilled items. A soft-walled insulated tote or small cooler with reusable ice packs is a better choice for keeping your spread cool and fresh. You can still use a basket to pack non-perishable picnic items.
Utensils
Your menu will determine what kind of utensils you’ll need among your picnic items. Instead of throwaways, consider investing in reusable picnic items, like lightweight bamboo or recycled plastic utensils. Don’t forget to include the appropriate serving utensils, like a bottle opener or straws for drinks, spreaders for dips or jams, or a small cutting board and knife for a wedge of cheese.
Plates and Cups
Paper and plastic plates and cups are convenient picnic items, but they’re not always sturdy or eco-friendly. If you prefer single use items, look for biodegradable options. You won’t need cups if you pack individual beverages, like juice boxes and canned drinks, but they’re a necessity if you’re sharing a bottle of seltzer or wine.
Napkins
You may not think of cloth napkins when you think of what to bring to a picnic, but they’re sustainable and can be used to roll individual utensil packets for each guest.
Must-Haves for your Picnic Checklist: Delicious Food and Refreshing Drinks
Picnic menus don’t have to be complicated or take a long time to prepare. Shared dishes, finger foods, and field trip snacks are great things to bring to a picnic that travel well.
Here are food and drink ideas for your picnic checklist:
Sandwiches
Sandwiches are the ultimate make-ahead finger food and are super versatile picnic items. There’s classic PB&J and lunchmeat, but hummus and veggies or a fresh batch of chicken, tuna, or egg salad are also picnic-worthy sandwich fillings. If you want to get creative, spread fillings on tortillas, roll, and slice into turkey cranberry pinwheels.
Snacks
Not sure what to bring to a picnic you’ve been invited to? You can’t go wrong with picnic snacks that include a selection of sweet and salty snacks, like fresh fruit, nuts or trail mix, granola bars, BBQ beef jerky mini sticks, cheese sticks, baked chips, or veggies with dip. For more picnic must haves, check out Chomps beef sticks. These picnic essentials are a great snack since they’re individually packaged, require no refrigeration, and come in several flavors. A variety pack of Chomps beef sticks offers maximum flavor options.
Beverages
Water is your best bet for staying hydrated in the heat. For fun and healthier options, add some flavored seltzer or prebiotic soda to your picnic packing list. Homemade iced tea or lemonade can be packed into a leak-proof thermos or water flask.
Picnic Items for Cleanliness and Sustainability
These picnic essentials make cleanup a breeze and help you leave nature as you found it.
Hand Sanitizer
A bottle of alcohol-based gel or spray hand sanitizer is an easy way to cleanse hands without water. As one of the simplest things to bring to a picnic, it ensures everyone at your picnic has clean, germ-free hands before handling food.
Paper Towels and/or Wet Wipes
Paper towels are great for catching drips and wiping smears. If you don’t want to lug along a whole roll, try reusable paper towels or Swedish dishcloths, which are small and absorbent. Wet wipes are one of the most useful picnic items to make it easy to wipe food mess from hands and mouths.
Trash Bag
Not all picnic sites have trash receptacles, so pack a trash bag or reuse a paper or plastic shopping bag to keep trash contained and your picnic area tidy.
Reusable Storage Wrap
For items that aren’t packed in storage containers or resealable packaging, like charcuterie, eco-friendly storage wrap, like beeswax sheets, makes it easy to store leftovers or send them home with guests. You can even use the wraps to keep your picnic essentials, like trays and plates, safe from bugs till it’s time to eat.
Picnic Essentials for Enjoyable Entertainment and Activities
Good food and even better company are all you really need for a memorable picnic. If you want to go the extra mile, consider adding these entertaining extras to your picnic checklist:
Bluetooth Speaker
Plan a playlist to match your picnic vibe and pack a Bluetooth speaker. A portable speaker is one of the best things to bring to a picnic to set the atmosphere and enjoy background tunes while you chat, eat, and play.
Lawn Games
Lawn games are fun for kids of all ages and encourage physical activity. Cornhole, ring toss, horseshoes, a bocce set, or a simple frisbee or football to toss can extend the picnic fun beyond mealtime. A simple deck of playing cards is another game option, while bubbles, small squirt guns, and sidewalk chalk can be entertaining picnic essentials for little ones.
How to Best Pack Your Picnic Items
Knowing what things to pack for a picnic is one part, but how do you pack a perfect picnic? With a few smart strategies, you can make sure everything arrives fresh and ready to enjoy.
Pack heavier, less fragile items at the bottom of your picnic basket, cooler, or backpack. Consider using separate containers or bags for different food categories to prevent crushing or mixing. Use an easy to carry insulated cooler and ice packs to keep cold picnic items from getting too warm.
If you’re headed on a hike, it's easy to make adjustments to your picnic checklist to lighten your load. Instead of a bulky blanket, use your rain jacket as the "blanket". Opt for finger foods that don't require many utensils or plates.
If your perfect summer picnic spot is a bit of a hike from parking, remember not to pack more picnic items than you can comfortably carry. You don’t want your comprehensive picnic checklist to become a burden. Lighten your load by choosing only the absolute picnic essentials. This foresight allows for an enjoyable trek to your scenic destination without unnecessary strain.
Also, bring along Chomps meat sticks which are individually packaged and can travel without the need for refrigeration. The Original Beef flavor is a classic choice, and BBQ Beef sticks offer a smoky twist.
Picnic Essentials FAQs
What do you need for a picnic?
For a successful outing, you need essential picnic items like a blanket, an insulated basket or cooler, utensils, plates, cups, and napkins. Don't forget refreshing beverages and delicious food!
What items to take on a picnic?
Beyond the basics, consider adding picnic items like a corkscrew for wine, sunscreen, bug repellant, trash bags, and even games to your picnic checklist. For food, think about cheese and charcuterie, fresh fruit, salads, and sweet treats that pair well with your chosen drinks.
If you’re wondering what to bring to a picnic that any avid meat eaters in the group will enjoy, Chomps meat sticks are a flavorful, nutritious, and easy snack to include.
How to pack a perfect picnic?
To pack a perfect picnic, use an insulated basket or backpack to keep food and drinks cool and organized. If hiking, lighten your load by prioritizing only the most important picnic items. Make sure that you pack in such a way that delicate picnic essentials don’t get crushed under the heavier ones.
What is the best food to bring to a picnic?
The best food to bring to a picnic often includes easy-to-eat options like sandwiches, a variety of snacks, fresh fruits, and Chomps meat sticks. If you’re bringing wine, consider which picnic items will pair well with it, such as mild cheeses with a white blend or dark chocolate with Pinot Noir.
Save this picnic checklist to plan what picnic essentials you need to stock up on. Check out Chomps subscribe and save program, which ensures you’ll have a stash of your fave flavors for your next picnic.
