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Home Ā» How to host the perfect summer picnic

How to host the perfect summer picnic

July 6, 2017 by Debi 12 Comments

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This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

A summer picnic is a great way to spend the day. It can be effortless entertaining on the day of the picnic if you prepare well. How to host the perfect summer picnic!

Table of Contents

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  • We appreciate your support
  • How to host the perfect summer picnic
  • Let’s connect
  • Serving
  • Drinks
  • Salads
  • Main Dish Salads & Sandwiches
    • Veggie Salad
    • Potato Salads
    • Pasta Salad
    • Fruit Salad
  • Deviled Eggs
  • Sushi
  • Dessert
  • Picnic Games & Activities
  • Eco Friendly Picnic Tips

How to host the perfect summer picnic

We appreciate your support

Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.

a picnic in a park.

How to host the perfect summer picnic

Whether it’s a romantic picnic for two, or the whole extended family gathering up for a fun day, a picnic is a classic fun summer activity!

Don’t forget end of summer block parties, concerts in the park with the kids, summer blockbuster movies at the beach (watching jaws while sitting in or near the water – yikes!), or just a relaxing day with friends at your local park.

In Southern California, where I live, the Hollywood bowl is a great place to take a picnic! And, don’t forget about your simple backyard and how lovely that is!

This is what summer’s all about.

And for more of summer’s finest, check out my Summer Dinner Recipes!

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Serving

First, start with a tablecloth or large blanket. I like a neutral color for the cloth, like white, so the food and plates stand out. You can get some really cool waterproof blankets on Amazon. If you’re going to a larger family gathering, you may want to bring a few smaller blankets to spread around, maybe one for under a tree and a couple out in the sun.

Consider bringing some camping chairs. They even sell chairs with umbrellas attached.

If you can manage it, try to bring real plates rather than paper plates. Pretty ones with lots of color. Real plates will make it easy to hold the plate in your lap and not have it fall apart. Mismatched plates will make for a colorful happy display. Melamine plates will work well, as will Corelle plates, as both are difficult to break, and lightweight. Serving bowls and plates don’t have to match. And make sure to have spoons or tongs in each dish to make it possible to serve them. Bring a bunch of umbrella tent covers to cover the food so bugs don’t get in.

Reusable glass or sturdy plastic tumblers will make for a great day as well.

And don’t forget the napkins. Colorful cloth napkins will not only be pretty at your picnic, but will not contribute to trash pile-up. Remember, napkin colors don’t have to match.

Wrap silverware in individual settings, wrapping the napkin around the silverware, and tie shut with a simple string or ribbon so they’re easy to grab.

How to host the perfect summer picnic

Drinks

Go beyond little bottles of water or cans of soda (who needs all that extra sugar anyway?), and serve lemonade out of big pitchers.

Basil Lime Sparkling Green Tea

Lemon Cherrytini

Watermelon Agua Fresca

Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade

Sparkling Berry Lemonade

Salads

I love the pre-made cold salad for picnics, parties, events of all kinds. Most salads can be portioned out into individual servings in mason jars so they are easy to eat and easy to pass around. Also, this makes them easy to grab and go if you have a big family gathering. All of these salads can be made in advance, so no work on the day of the festivities!

Main Dish Salads & Sandwiches

These salads can all be made into great sandwiches. You can take the salad part separately to the picnic and assemble your sandwich there, or you can pre-make the whole sh-bang and wrap them to-go style. Of course, a sandwich is great on traditional bread, but if you’re looking to cut carbs, try flat breads, tortillas, or naan. Some sandwiches can be really tasty in lettuce leaves instead of breads, but pick these wisely; I don’t recommend anything too messy inside a lettuce leaf.

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Asian Shrimp and Black Rice Salad

Poppyseed Chicken Salad

Avocado Tuna Salad Sandwich

Pesto Avocado Chicken Salad

Avocado Egg Salad

Deluxe Egg Salad

Veggie Salad

Mexican Corn Salad

Corn and Cucumber Picnic Salad

Peas with Herbs

Make Ahead Layered Salad for a Crowd

Feta Olive Salad

Wild Rice Salad

Cranberry Pecan Broccoli Salad

Greek Salad

Creamy Coleslaw

Tomato Basil and Feta Salad

Potato Salads

Roasted Potato and Herb Salad

Cauliflower Mock Potato Salad

Potato Salad for a Crowd

Pasta Salad

Loaded Southwestern BBQ Pasta Salad

Pasta Party Salad

Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Pesto Orzo Salad

Artichoke Avocado Pasta Salad

Fruit Salad

Peach Strawberry Fruit Salad

Summer Berry Fruit Salad

Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are the perfect little finger food. Just be sure to keep them chilled. Classic Southern Deviled Eggs from The Kitchen is my Playground

Sushi

Sushi is great at a picnic! Just remember to keep it well chilled. It’s nice because it’s really easy to pick up with your fingers and nibble on a piece, no plates necessary. Pick some up at your favorite sushi joint, or make your own. Spicy Tuna Rolls.

How to host the perfect summer picnic

Dessert

For Dessert, serve cookies and Bars (like brownies), things that are easy to pick up with your fingers. So you can eat them on the go. Cut cakes into smaller pieces for easy pick up and eating.

These Fruit & Nut Wheels are a great light sweet treat.

Picnic Games & Activities

After all that tasty food, you’ll want to get up and move around, so don’t forget the fun games! Frisbee is a classic. Play games with lawn dice (Yatzee or Farkle score sheets can be printed from the internet).

Many parks will have baseball diamonds or basketball courts for use, be sure to bring a ball and bat. Volleyball can be set up at many beaches or parks. Yard badminton. Bocce ball. Horseshoes.

Eco Friendly Picnic Tips

To make sure your outing is Eco-friendly, be sure to use fewer disposable items and more reusable items.

Grab the pretty cloth napkins, reusable plates and silverware, and don’t forget the waterproof tablecloth. If you love straws, give these compostable straws a try.

What are your tips and tricks for a great picnic? When was the last time you took the time to enjoy a meal outside like this?

How to host the perfect summer picnic This is what summer’s all about.
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Filed Under: Appetizers, Research Tagged With: appetizers, Cooking, Food, fun, healthy, picnic, round-up, snacks, summer, tailgating

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about debi

ABOUT DEBI

Hello! I’m Debi, the girl behind Life Currents where I write about mainly healthy vegetarian dishes. My husband eats meat, so occasionally I share some of his dishes as well. And, I’ll share tasty treats and projects that we do. Read more...

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julie is Hostess At Heart

    July 6, 2017 at 6:22 am

    This is a great roundup that makes my next picnic so easy!

  2. Debra C.

    July 6, 2017 at 6:33 pm

    I love all of these wonderful ideas for the perfect picnic and all the food? YUM!! I love a great picnic, the perfect way to unplug and relax! Or meet someone special!! in my case anyway!! Thank you for including my salads in this yummy roundup!!

  3. lisasdinnertimedish

    July 7, 2017 at 1:14 pm

    I love all of your ideas as well as all of the tasty food! It makes me want to head out on a picnic soon!

  4. Lisa Bryan | Downshiftology

    July 8, 2017 at 9:27 am

    Love how you’ve compiled all this food and fun activities – it’ll make my next picnic super easy!

  5. Natalie

    July 8, 2017 at 10:49 am

    Oh this is great roundup and tips. We just planned doing family picnic next weekend. I’m saving this for sure. Thanks!

  6. Veena Azmanov

    July 8, 2017 at 10:58 am

    Oh we have beach picnics almost every month here and I’m loving all the suggestions you have. Saving this for future reference – Thanks for sharing.

  7. Tina

    July 8, 2017 at 11:35 am

    This post is really making me want to go on a picnic! I used to love going to Hollywood Bowl when I lived in Southern California. It’s a great place for a picnic for sure!

  8. brandidcrawfordgmailcom

    July 8, 2017 at 11:56 am

    I haven’t done a picnic in so long. Your photos are gorgeous. I really need to get on that.

  9. Laura

    July 8, 2017 at 12:02 pm

    What a well organized picnic, you though of everything. San Pellegrino water? Love it, I would bring it everywhere.

  10. Ashlyn@ Belle of the Kitchen

    July 9, 2017 at 3:22 am

    So many great ideas! I love the idea of having sushi at a picnic! You wouldn’t always think of it for that, but it’s so easy to eat and perfect for that setting!

  11. Jennifer A Stewart

    July 9, 2017 at 11:10 am

    Picnics are the bomb. I won’t be doing any in Phoenix until at least November because of the heat. And you can’t go wrong with a game of Bocce!

  12. justine

    July 9, 2017 at 11:34 am

    What a fantastic post, i need to plan a picnic ASAP.

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Hi! I’m Debi, the girl behind Life Currents, where I write about mainly healthy vegetarian dishes with some great desserts and other goodies mixed in! Read More >>>

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