Picnics can be a whole lot of fun, especially when you bring along the entire family. Picnics create great family memories and offer a low-cost, fun-filled way to get your kids outside and enjoying the great outdoors. Bring together fun, food, and unique family experiences that celebrate nature!
Use these exceptional picnic tips for a fun-filled experience for children of all ages.
Quick Navigation:
- Explore Themed Experiences
- Indulge in Great Food
- Accessories
- Embrace the Fall Vibe
- Location, Location, Location
- FAQs
Explore Themed Experiences 🎨
Consider exploring a British-themed picnic experience, bringing along a tasteful basket of British goods and snacks. Of course, you don’t need to be limited to a British theme, and use creativity to find the perfect themed experience for your family.
The “cozy” theme is always a great option, while fall-themed picnics can embrace the season’s changing colors, cooler weather, and relaxed atmosphere.
Indulge in Great Food 🧀
Food can make a picnic even more memorable, so explore a variety of meats and cheeses, or bring an entire charcuterie board. A crusty loaf of bread is essential as well, while baked goods, especially British baked goods, are always a great idea.
Fresh fruits and vegetables, pre-cut sandwiches, and classic snacks like chips and crackers are all options that you can never go wrong with.
For more ways to match the menu to your children’s ages and interests, explore our kids’ picnic food and theme ideas.
Pro Tips from Olga, Co-Founder:
- To prevent sandwiches from getting soggy during travel, pack your condiments (like mayo or mustard) in small individual packets or containers and apply them right before eating. Alternatively, place a large, dry lettuce leaf between the bread and the “wet” ingredients like tomatoes or pickles to act as a moisture barrier.
Accessories 🧺
Start with the classic picnic basket and a large blanket for a cozy experience. Shatter-proof glasses are incredibly helpful, and a large cooler can help you comfortably carry all your food items.
Consider waste-free storage containers, including glassware you can bring home, to reduce the waste you leave behind.
Pro Tips from Olga, Co-Founder:
- Even if the grass looks dry, it often holds hidden moisture that can soak through a standard fabric blanket. Bring a cheap shower curtain liner or small tarp to place under your picnic blanket; it acts as a waterproof barrier to keep everyone’s clothes dry.
Dress for the Occasion 👕
Having the family get together and dress up for a picnic can be great fun. Make a point of exploring unique fashion ideas, simply because of the fun it brings! Consider matching outfits for the whole family, and take a moment to savor it by snapping a quick photo in your matching looks.
Spruce up your weekend and embrace the fall atmosphere, but don’t forget to tie the entire ensemble together with your favorite fall outfit.
Beverages 🥤
Pack water for everyone, then add a family-friendly favorite such as lemonade, sparkling fruit juice, or warm apple cider in an insulated flask. Let hot drinks cool before serving them to children.
If adults choose to bring beer or wine, check the location’s alcohol rules first and keep alcoholic drinks clearly labeled and separate from children’s drinks.
Pro Tips from Olga, Co-Founder:
- Instead of using bulky ice packs that take up space, freeze half-filled water bottles or juice boxes the night before. Use them as ice packs to keep your perishables cold in the cooler; by lunchtime, they will have thawed into ice-cold drinks!
Embrace the Fall Vibe 🍂
Explore ways to add eco-friendly decor to your picnic with seasonal flowers, natural accents, and reusable or biodegradable plates and cutlery. Warm colors, cozy blankets, and simple fall-inspired decorations can help create a comfortable seasonal atmosphere.
Celebrate the beauty of fall by choosing a seasonal picnic location, such as a public park, beachside destination, or wooded hiking trail surrounded by changing leaves and cooler weather.
For a fall color hunt, ask younger children to point out something red, yellow, and brown; older children can photograph their finds or sketch them. Look without picking plants or disturbing wildlife.
Try leaf rubbing with crayons and paper. Bring leaves from home or use fallen leaves only where collecting is allowed. Adults can hold the paper steady for preschoolers while older children make their own patterns.
Finish with a cooperative game, such as taking turns adding one sentence to a silly autumn story. Little ones can contribute a sound or a word, and older children can help keep the story going. Keep games short and optional so everyone can join at their own pace.
Leave No Trace ♻️
In an effort to show respect for the space you choose for your picnic, make an effort to leave your picnic site exactly the way you found it. Just like campers, emphasize the importance of showing respect for nature by leaving no trace of your presence behind.
Keep the space clean and tidy, and ensure that everyone can enjoy a picnic after you leave!
Pro Tips from Olga, Co-Founder:
- Pack a “clean-zone” kit containing a small bottle of hand sanitizer, a pack of biodegradable wet wipes, and a designated “dirty bag” for used utensils. This makes it easy to clean sticky hands after eating and keeps food residue out of your picnic basket on the way home.
Location, Location, Location 📍
What just might be the most important element of a great picnic is the right location. Explore parks and areas that are suitable for picnics, and find a flat surface that can facilitate your picnicking needs. At times, wooded areas can result in visits from bugs, so don’t forget the bug spray.
Locations that shield you from wind are a great option, while beach picnics may require waterproof bags to keep your valuables safe.
Planning a larger family get-together in Los Angeles, Orange County, or Malibu? Explore our family reunion picnic setups for a styled celebration. Share your guest count, preferred date, and location so the team can confirm a suitable setup and any venue requirements.
Before choosing your family picnic spot, check for a level route suitable for a stroller, nearby toilets, shade, and a short walk from parking. Look for comfortable seating for relatives who may not want to sit on the ground. Confirm the site’s opening hours and picnic rules, then choose an indoor or sheltered backup if rain or strong wind is forecast.
Pro Tips from Olga, Co-Founder:
- Keep food and sweet drinks covered between servings, wipe up spills promptly, and close your rubbish bag. Choose a picnic spot away from overflowing bins, and pack out food scraps. These simple habits help reduce attractants without relying on dryer sheets or spices as insect barriers.
How Are You Looking to Make Your Next Picnic Special? ✨
Many families are eager to head outdoors this fall, and a picnic offers a great way to enjoy the outdoors without heading deep into forested areas. In fact, picnics may be the perfect family activity for anyone to enjoy.
What plans do you have for your next picnic? We would love to hear from our readers! Let us know what tips and tricks you’re using for the best possible picnic.
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FAQs
What should you bring to a fall picnic?
Bring a thick blanket, insulated cooler, reusable containers, napkins, utensils, trash bags, and extra layers. Bug spray, sunscreen, and a thermos can also help, especially if the weather is cool or windy.
What are the best foods for a fall picnic?
Choose easy-to-pack foods such as sandwiches, cheese, crackers, apples, grapes, muffins, roasted vegetables, and baked goods. Warm soup or chili can also work well when stored in an insulated container.
What should you wear to a fall picnic?
Wear comfortable layers that you can add or remove as the temperature changes. Sweaters, light jackets, jeans, and closed shoes are practical choices for cooler fall weather.
How do you keep food warm during a fall picnic?
Use insulated food containers, thermoses, or thermal bags to keep heat in. Wrap hot dishes tightly and pack them just before you leave so they stay warm as long as possible.
