The Ultimate Picnic Packing List

After many years of tinkering, I finally created what I consider the Ultimate Picnic Packing List to reference whenever I pack a picnic.

As always, I separated my list into

Must Haves/ Do You Needs?

If you are planning any type of picnic adventure, go to the START here section of The Ultimate Picnic Packing List!

ASK YOURSELF:

Who is going? Not on the list, but you know, you should know.

Where is your picnic?

How long will it last?

What’s the weather?

Here are all of my essentials!

a sun hat!
a picnic basket – Mine is an old shopping basket.
a beach towel – helps with cleanup, can also be a blanket or tablecloth if need be!
a blanket (that rolls up!)– always important to have one. I actually leave one in my car at all times. You never know!
portable Bluetooth speaker (it has a battery pack!)
food bag
art supply bag
essentials dopp kit
cooler bag

I can carry it all from the car to our destination. I’m wearing shoes I can walk in. Here’s proof:

Here’s it all bundled up and ready to go!

Let’s break it down! Here are the things I like to bring if we’re eating.

Picnic Food Stuff:

plastic utensils– these are actually plastic. You can recycle them when done or rewash them. They’re fancy enough to save.
plastic cups- bring a few extra so you can have water for watercoloring!
cutting board
knife- get yourself a knife with a cover! Mine is wooden, but I also recommend these ones too! They’re so sharp.
garbage bag – clean up your mess!! Always carry a baggie with you.
enamelware storage bowls– bring food in them and then use them to store leftovers
enamel plates– so durable!!!
napkins/dish towel– clean up after yourselves!

When you’re prepared, you can have a feast as we see above!

Bringing food that needs to stay cold? Bring a cooler! I got this one in an influencer package, and it has served me well over the years!

Always make sure you bring water!

When you have a cutting board and a knife, you open yourself to many possibilities. Cheese and crackers? No problem. Want to cut that apple you brought so we can serve it with the cheese? We are covered! You brought a salami you cured and a baguette? WE ARE PREPARED.

If you like keeping things separate and in compartments, maybe pack some bento boxes.

I like to use deli containers to pack stuff up in, too.

Here’s a pro-tip! Wrap your plates with a dish towel/napkin you’re using. If you can’t wash your plate while you’re out, it’s easy to wrap the plates back up with your towel and deal with them when you get home. It will keep your dirty plates protected from the rest of the stuff in your bag.