It’s good to have a list going for what to pack for a picnic. The last thing you need once you arrive at your picnic spot is to see you’ve forgotten something!
Though a good picnic is all about the food, it’s not going to be much fun if you don’t have plates and utensils, right?
We love this wicker basket with everything you’ll need for a small family picnic. It’s even insulated!
Use our picnic checklist so you don’t forget a thing when hosting your next picnic!
Picnic Essentials
These are the things you just must have for a successful picnic:
If you’re planning your picnic for a small group or on the beach, don’t forget a picnic blanket.
Paper Plates
We like to get two sizes. Medium size plates are great for appetizers like spinach dip and chips and can later be used for dessert. Large plates are perfect for holding that fried chicken and broccoli salad.
This compostable set has everything including utensils and it’s a great way to take care of the environment.
Utensils
We’re not just talking forks, spoons, and knives. You’ll also need larger spoons for serving. This pack includes tongs.
If you have a lot of people bringing things, ask them to bring a serving spoon with their dish. You should still have a few serving spoons for those who forget, because they will!
Grilling utensils
If you’re picnic location has grills and you’re planning to cook burgers and hot dogs, you’ll need those grilling utensils, too.
Ice Packs
Keeping hot food warm is fairly easy as long as you keep it covered, but keeping cold food cold is another story.
A cooler filled with ice packs for salads and meats is the best way to keep cold things cold. Meats, poultry, fish, and even potatoes can end up harboring bacteria which can pose a health risk. A bowl with ice or ice-filled appetizer tray are both great options.
Vegetable salads, pasta salads, and fruit salad that can be served at room temperature are the best picnic foods!
Trash Bags
Even if there are trash cans in the picnic area, especially if you have a large group, it’s a good idea to bring your own trash bag. It will be much easier than running back and forth to the trash can.
Paper Towels
Paper towels are an essential item. Wet wipes are a nice touch so guests can wipe off their hands.
Condiments
Typically the person doing the grilling of burgers and dogs is in charge of the catsup, mustard, mayo, relish, pickles, etc.
Make sure to remind them, and if you’re heading up this thing, bonus points if you remember to bring extras!
Drinks
You know that mom who has several kids and is always busy? Ask her to stop by the grocery store and bring a gallon of iced tea and a gallon of lemonade or a case of cold water bottles. This Lavender Meyer Lemonade is so good.
Once you have a head count, you can plan for how many drinks you’ll need. Don’t forget a bottle opener and corkscrew for those who bring beer or a bottle of wine!
Picnic Food
I love easy picnic food recipes because I can pack it up and take it just about anywhere. I think we have your outing covered for food with this long list of perfect picnic food!
Whether you’re planning to get outside for Memorial Day, the 4th of July, Labor Day, a fun summer gathering, or even need easy picnic food recipes for two, you’ll find a bunch of recipes here to make your life easier!
And now for the easy picnic food! This list begins with appetizers, but scroll down for main dishes, side dishes, and lots of delicious desserts that are all picnic-friendly!
90+ Easy Recipes
These are tried and true easy picnic food recipes from my favorite food bloggers. Whether you’re looking for cold picnic recipes or something to put on the grill, you’ll have so many choices on this list.
A delicious spread that is so easy to make, this Black Olive Tapenade will be your new favorite appetizer! Serve it with crackers or toasted baguette slices.
These little sausages are sweet and tangy, with a smoky and hearty flavor.
But the best part is you can whip up a batch in minutes of prep time with this easy recipe.
The best no cook summer appetizer for when you’re entertaining or want a light dinner is the Summer Charcuterie Board. This cheese board can be made ahead of time, uses seasonal fruit and as a bonus it travels well.
These delicious sliders are so easy to make, perfect for surprise guests or busy weeknights! They make great appetizers for a tailgate party or any gathering with friends.
Grilled Naan Chicken Salad Wraps with Cherry Salsa
When it comes to summer and cooking, for us it’s all about not really cooking at all, which is where these Grilled Naan Chicken Salad Wraps with Cherry Salsa come in. Easy, made in minutes, and so delicious!
This easy marinated Italian Dressing Chicken makes juicy, tender, flavorful chicken every time! Make it on the grill or in the oven for a quick dinner!
My favorite Hot Dog Toppings! Easy Chili Dogs recipe with crushed Doritos or a tangy Sauerkraut Dog. Perfect for a picnic, a cookout or fancy camping dinner
All the peppers, onions, Mexican spices and creamy guacamole you love in fajitas – jammed into a deliciously satisfying burger recipe! Make-ahead tips, too!
This Quinoa Chickpea Salad recipe is the perfect meal when you want something light. It’s also a wonderful pairing to a steak, roasted chicken, or fish.
This Greek orzo salad is delicious and super easy to prepare. When you need a side dish for meat, chicken, or seafood, this is the perfect easy recipe!
What’s better than pizza and pasta? Combining them to make a healthier delicious pizza and pasta salad, even coming in at 3 Weight Watchers Smart Points!
If you’re looking for that perfect potato salad, you have to trythis mom’s recipe! This potato salad is a classic and will be the hit of the party!
This Pesto Tortellini Pasta has only 5 ingredients and takes just 10 minutes! Cheese-filled tortellini are coated in pesto and paired with sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts and spinach!
A light twist on orzo salad. This Coleslaw Orzo Salad has a light & tasty citrus orange dressing and toasted almonds for crunch. An easy summer side dish!
This Classic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad recipe is a cookout staple. It has a creamy dressing that’s tangy, sweet, and delicious! Costs just $5.39 to make!
Cucumber Caprese Salad Recipe. A beautiful and delicious take on a traditional Caprese Salad, this Cucumber Caprese Salad Recipe is a perfect side dish with steak, burgers, turkey legs, barbecue chicken, and more! Easy to make, this Cucumber Caprese Salad recipe is loaded with sweet, fresh vegetables. Try it today!
Strawberry Spinach Salad with Feta (VIDEO) – Key To My Lime
This is the best strawberry spinach salad with feta and walnuts! Top it with an easy and delicious homemade poppy seed dressing. Perfect salad for a crowd.
This quick & easy creamy, crunchy Southern Grape Salad recipe is great for potlucks, BBQs, dessert or a side dish and only needs 5 mins of effort to make!!
This colorful, hearty Summer Corn & Quinoa Caprese Salad is packed with veggies, protein, and flavor! It’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, and barbecues!
Mediterranean orzo salad recipe, orzo pasta salad recipe
Mediterranean orzo salad recipe-mediterranean orzo salad is a delicious side dish or a lunch recipe bursting with mediterranean flavors. Chick peas, olives, artichoke hearts ,feta cheese, orzo pasta and many more colorful ingredients are tossed with a home made lemony jalapeno dressing.
White Bean & Cabbage Slaw with Apples & Cider Vinaigrette
This refreshing twist on traditional slaw makes a great side or light lunch. This recipe is so easy, and filled with textures, colors, and fresh flavor.
If you are ready for a truly spectacular salad then you’ve got to try this dairy-free and gluten-free Green Goddess Cobb Salad recipe is your new go-to salad!
It’s cool, it’s creamy, it’s crunchy, and it has a sweet n tangy dressing – this keto Pickle Slaw with Bacon is a tasty twist everyone will love!
Fresh Pineapple Salsa is an incredibly easy recipe that wows both in flavor and its colorful presentation. With just a few simple ingredients, you have a healthy and delicious recipe!
These Ladybug Picnic Cupcakes are the perfect dessert for a kids birthday party, and using Airheads for the decoration made this a DIY project anyone can do!
These churro cheesecake bars are the perfect dessert to serve at the end of any meal. Everyone will love the crunchy outside and creamy cheesecake inside.
These Red White and Blue Popsicles are made with strawberries, blueberries, and coconut milk for the healthy version of Firecracker Popsicles or Bomb Pops!
The double chocolate pecan bars are gluten-free and can even be made Paleo or Vegan. Loaded with two kinds of chocolate and filled with decadent crunchy pecans!
Eton mess, a delicious Summer dessert, with berries and meringue. One of the easiest desserts to make, pop it into a jam jar, secure the lid and head out on a picnic, whether that is indoors or out!
When planning, most people aren’t prepared to tell the host what they will be bringing a month out. However, asking if they will be bringing either a dessert, a dip, or a salad is expected, so ask! There’s nothing worse than have 25 desserts and potato salad!
A roll of plastic wrap is good to have. Though everyone will bring covered dishes, the wrap could get thrown away or blow away, so it’s good to be prepared.
Make sure you have LOTS of ice! I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been to a party where someone has had to go out for ice. That friend who is always late? Ask them to do you one favor and bring a bag of ice!
Designate a couple of coolers for of canned or bottled drinks and one dedicated to ice just for drinks, equipped with an ice scoop.
Have lots of disposable cups available along with a Sharpie so people can put their names on their cups.
Especially in the evening, bug spray is essential in the great outdoors.
