Essential Picnic Checklist
Follow this outdoor dining checklist and you'll be the best-prepared picnicker at the beach or park.
By:
Katie Workman
For Toting and Seating:
- Picnic basket or canvas bag
- Cooler
- Picnic blanket (preferably waterproof on the bottom)
- Picnic chairs (if anyone in your group is not happy on the ground)
- Portable picnic table (if that's the kind of picnic you're having!)
For Serving:
- Plates
- Utensils (including serving utensils)
- Napkins
- Cups
- Drinks (including lots of water)
- Bottle opener
- Cutting board (also useful as a level serving surface, perfect for drinks)
- Sharp knife (even if you don't plan to cut things, it's still a good idea)
- Salt and pepper
- Mustard, mayo, ketchup, etc., if needed (a great way to make use of extra packets from a takeout place)
For Cleanup:
- Paper towels (and maybe wet wipes)
- A couple of dishtowels (always handy, and useful to buffer and support dishes in transport)
- Extra plastic containers or sturdy zipper-top bags for packing up dirty utensils, leftovers, etc.
- Trash bags
Other Essentials:
- Sunscreen
- Hats
- Insect repellent
- Flashlight (if you plan to be out into the evening hours)
- Sport or activity equipment (Frisbees, balls, bubbles, water guns ... whatever the crowd likes)
Next Up
Our Essential Summer Drink Cheat Sheet
With this handy chart, quickly whip up refreshing sips all season long.
Ingrid's Summer Cocktails
Cooling drink recipes, plus tips for making the best cocktails
Old Fashioned Fruit Desserts
Know a cobbler from a crisp and a buckle from a Betty.
How to Make Serious Iced Coffee
Coffee snobs will approve of this cold-brewed version from Food Network Magazine.
Shock Value: How to Keep Summer Produce Fresh
Food scientists think they've found a way to extend the life of fresh produce: Shock it in warm water.
Be the Star of Your Meeting with These Food Network Zoom Backgrounds
Why yes, I am competing on Chopped today, co-workers!
Echo Show Owners Can Now Activate a 1-Year Complimentary Subscription to Food Network Kitchen
Just say "Alexa, subscribe to Food Network Kitchen," to get started.
Get Half-Off of Food Network Kitchen for Amazon Device Users
Hands-free cooking with Alexa is the brilliant hack you need.
The All-New Food Network Kitchen App Is Here!
Get ready for tons of live cooking classes, real-time interaction with your favorite stars, all-new recipes and so much more.
Welcome to Food Network Kitchen! A Ground-Breaking New App Experience
This new app will bring us into your kitchen like never before with hyper-interactive classes, on-demand video, Alexa support — and so much more.
More from:
