What to Pack for a Picnic in the Park

Pack a picnic and head for the great outdoors to enjoy your weekend dining. Find a large tree with a grassy shady spot, and all you need is a basket full of necessities and plenty of time to pass the time on a sunny afternoon. To ensure you don't forget anything, here is a quick checklist of things that should always have.

The Must-Haves

It's the one thing you must have if you're going on a picnic... Picnic basket – it doesn't have to be a traditional woven one (though those are great), but it could also be a refrigerated tote bag or even a backpack.

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Picnic basket

It's the one thing you must have if you're going on a picnic. It doesn't have to be a traditional woven one (though those are great), but it could also be a refrigerated tote bag or even a backpack.

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1. PICNIC BASKET It's the one thing you must have if you're going on a picnic. It doesn't have to be a traditional woven one (though those are great), but it could also be a refrigerated tote bag or even a backpack. 2. SUNSCREEN Lunching outside is a wonderful way to enjoy the warm breezes and sunny views, but spending so much time outside can be damaging to your skin. Pack sunscreen to ensure that your picnic is remembered for its fun rather than its sunburns. While eating lunch under an umbrella or under a tree can help reduce the impact of UV rays, skin damage is still possible. 3. BABY WIPES Even if you aren't bringing children to the park, baby wipes are a great picnic accessory. While hand sanitizer kills bacteria, wet wipes remove dirt and stains, making it easier to clean up before — and after — eating. Perfect for sticky hands when there is no running water nearby. 4. BUG SPRAY A day in the park can introduce you to new vexing companions: bugs! Reduce the likelihood of insect bites by bringing and liberally applying bug spray. Repellents containing DEET, lemon eucalyptus oil, and picaridin last longer than other sprays and work best when used after applying sunscreen. If sprays are too imprecise for you, you can also get repellent lotion. 5. PICNIC MAT It’s easy to opt for picnic destinations that have chairs or tables provided, but on a beautiful day, seating may be limited. Bring a picnic mat for both seatings and for spreading out your lunch fare. Make sure there is enough space for everyone. ​ 6. BOTTLED BEVERAGES Making a large pitcher of iced tea may appear to be a good idea, bottled beverages are a better option. Small bottled drinks eliminate the need for individual cups, which means one less thing to pack and clean later. When chilled, bottles, as opposed to pitchers, are less likely to leak and can be used as additional ice packs to keep heat-sensitive foods cool. Bottles that can be resealed can also help clumsy picnickers avoid spills. To help keep things cold, chill beverage bottles ahead of time in the refrigerator. 7. KITCHEN TOWEL While napkins and paper towels are simple to pack and dispose of, a sturdy kitchen towel is more useful. Towels can be used to protect foods from bugs, wrap around wine glasses or bottles for added protection, and absorb spills more effectively than a handful of paper napkins. Wrap picnic snacks in kitchen towels to make an easy-to-use lunch sack that folds away when you're finished.​ 8. TRASH BAG It can be easy to forget about how you will need to clean up after a picnic. Tuck a trash bag into your basket to ensure that every piece of trash finds its way to a trash can or your home. Trash bags can also be used as rain ponchos in the event of unexpected summer storms, or sliced open, they can be used to keep wet grass from seeping through your blanket. ​ 9. ICE PACKS Mayonnaise-based foods, such as potato salad, can spoil in the hot weather, and delicate greens can wilt. It is essential to keep food at the appropriate temperatures so that it does not spoil and harbor bacteria. If chilled water bottles aren't keeping your cooler or picnic basket cool enough, throw in a few frozen ice packs. 10. EXTRA CUTLERY Many picnic foods, such as sandwiches and pizzas do not require any silverware, making them ideal for a day in the park. Common picnic salads, however, such as potato or macaroni salad, can be difficult to serve and eat without a large spoon. Pack extra utensils, or at the very least serving spoons for foods that can be scooped or dipped in chips, just in case. 11. CAMERA Taking a picnic adventure is a memory to cherish, so charge up your phone or bring your camera for an afternoon of photography. If you're going to be using your phone, bring a portable charger to ensure you never run out of power. ​