Five must-haves for your next picnic

Freddie Parker on 11 March 2022
Beautiful picnic spread with fruits - kiwi, orange, and strawberries - and cheeses

Spring has arrived, and it’s warming up. How about a picnic with friends?

Find a sunny spot, in an open grassy area and gather your friends for a picnic. Wondering what to take with you? Here are some picnic essentials that will make for a fun afternoon out.

Sunscreen

We don’t want to sound like a nagging parent, but sunscreen is very important. As everyone starts spending more time outdoors in the sun, you should make skin protection a priority. Make sure you buy something with at least SPF 30.

Apply it once before you go outside, reapplying every couple of hours. You don’t want your calming picnic afternoon tainted by the pain and itching of sunburn. It can be dangerous to spend too much time in the sun unprotected, so cover yourself with sunscreen or stick to the shade.

Sauce packets

Whether it’s from restaurants or takeaway orders, many of us will have loads of ketchup packets lying around. Picnics are a great time to use them. You don’t have to take large bottles of sauces and there’s less risk of an opened bottle leaking into a picnic hamper.

Ice packs

You can find these in supermarkets or online retailers. They’re easy to get hold of and can make all the difference. Many foods are completely fine to transport as they are, but there are some that you should keep an eye on. Anything with mayonnaise, like potato salad, should be kept cool to prevent it from spoiling, especially on hotter days.

Cold bottled drinks can make a great substitute for ice packs and remove the need to bring cups. Just make sure you reuse or recycle them.

Speakers

No one is likely to forget their speaker these days, but they may forget to charge it before they go out. That’s why portable chargers are a lifesaver on long afternoons spent chilling with friends.

You should carry them in a different bag to the one with food and drink in it to avoid disaster if something leaks onto the electronics.

Centrepiece

Most of the time, people think about finger foods, sandwiches and salads for picnics. But having a large dish as a centrepiece for everyone can enhance the social element. A quiche, pie, or even a big sub sandwich to split between everyone gives a focal point, much like a cake at a party. Just make sure it matches everybody’s dietary requirements.

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Freddie Parker
Freddie Parker on 11 March 2022