For families, picnics are the perfect summer activity. Not only are they a fantastic way to spend some quality time together while enjoying the great outdoors, but they also make for a relatively cheap day out, which is always handy. But before you head out for your open-air feast, there are a few things you’ll need to prepare and pack to ensure you have everything needed to make it a success.

1. Food
   Ultimately the most important picnic provision is food, so don’t hold back when it comes to packing some tasty treats. Chicken drumsticks, cocktail sausages, sandwiches and scotch eggs are all picnic classics and are great for kids as they are considered ‘finger food’. However, don’t be afraid to bring what may be considered some slightly messier options such as dips, coleslaw and yoghurt, as these can be kept safe in Tupperware containers and quickly cleaned up in the event of a spillage.

2. Cutlery
   There’s nothing worse than going to dig into a delicious picnic spread only to find that you have nothing eat it with! While you’ll have no doubt packed some ‘finger food’, you may have also brought some dishes that will require cutlery to eat. Consequently, be sure to pack a selection of forks, knives and spoons, and don’t forget some serving spoons too!

3. Picnic Blanket
   No picnic is complete without a large, soft blanket to sit on while enjoying your outdoor feast. If there’s only a few of you, a standard size picnic blanket will do the job perfectly. However, if you have a larger family or are heading out with friends too, you’ll need a bigger blanket and possibly, some additional seating such as camping chairs to ensure everyone has somewhere to sit.

4. Salt and Pepper
   While you probably won’t have enough room to pack every condiment in your cupboard, salt and pepper are a must when it comes to picnics as they don’t take up much room and can provide seasoning in an instant, serving to transform any food into a flavoursome delight!

5. Wet Wipes
   Wet wipes can come in handy during any family outing, however, are a definite essential when it comes to picnics. If you are venturing out with very young children, the likelihood is that you will need something to clean dirty faces and sticky hands with; wet wipes are perfect for this. Not only are they great for providing a quick and easy clean but they will also ensure that you always have something to use to clean up, even if there is no running water nearby.

6. Drinks Holders
   There always seems to be so much to carry at picnics, so easy transportation is a must, especially for parents! While some bits can be easily packed away into bags and rucksacks, drinks bottles tend to take up a lot of room and can be very difficult to carry, so why not invest in a drinks holder for your picnic? While smaller drinks holders are great for carrying refreshments for the kids, our wooden beer holder and wine holder are perfect for storing adult beverages.

7. Sun Cream
   Protection from the sun is always important to consider during summer, even when the weather looks a little overcast. Consequently, sun cream is a necessity to ensure you and your family stay protected from the sun’s rays while enjoying your outdoor spread. Sun hats can also provide extra protection, so you may want to bring a couple of these for the children too. 

8. Plates
   Along with cutlery, plates are also a picnic must-have to ensure minimal mess is made when tucking into the delicious morsels on offer. Paper plates are a great option that are not only easy to pack but are also biodegradable, meaning you can keep your picnic environmentally friendly. Alternatively, bringing plates from home mean you don’t have to purchase new ones and can wash them up either during your picnic or when you get home.

9. Games
   Having a selection of outdoor games to play during your picnic will not only add an extra element of fun but will also give your family a chance to bond before you enjoy your special feast together. If you have very young children, simple games such as catch, hide and seek or kite flying are all great options that will provide great enjoyment. Alternatively, team games such as cricket, football and rounders are ideal if there is a larger group of you – simply pick your teams and let the games begin!

If you’ve got any other suggestions when it comes to packing for a family picnic, we’d love to hear them! Reach out on our social media channels to share your picnic necessities list with us. Otherwise, head over to our website now to browse our gorgeous range of picnic accessories – from personalised picnic hamper crates to wooden drinks caddies, we have everything you’ll need to make your outdoor feast a raging success.