What to bring on a picnic date
Picnics are great for first dates or low-budget outings with your partner. Whether you cook yourself or pack the basket with food from your favorite restaurant, a few key items will make your picnic date a success.
It’s easy to plan the best picnic date if you know what to do and have the right supplies. If you prepare for the weather and bring a basket with good food, drinks and some activities, you will have one of the most fun days of your life.
Essentials for the best picnic date
Best blankets and umbrellas for picnics
Parks, beaches and lookouts are some of the best places to have a picnic. You can also consider places important to you and your date, such as where you first met. Wherever you choose to have your picnic, you will need to bring a few things to make it comfortable.
Scuddles Extra Large Picnic & Outdoor Blanket: available at Amazon
This blanket is durable, waterproof and comfortable. Its plush dual layers fold up into a lightweight bag you can carry with ease.
ONIVA Outdoor Canopy: available at Amazon
If you’ve picked a particularly sunny spot for your picnic, an umbrella is a must-have. This outdoor umbrella is designed for portability and durability. It folds up into a drawstring tote with a strap you can wear over your shoulder.
Best picnic baskets
No picnic is complete without food and utensils and the best way to deliver it all is by using a picnic basket. You can either go modern with an insulated backpack or stick with the classic look of a woven basket.
California Picnic Complete Set: available at Amazon
This traditional picnic basket comes with the added benefits of silverware, wine glasses and a bottle opener. You only need to add the food for a complete spread. This picnic basket is also waterproof and durable, which makes it perfect for beach picnics.
Sunflora Picnic Backpack: available at Amazon
More Top Picks Nespresso Essenza Mini Plus Aeroccino3
This picnic basket comes in the form of an easy-to-carry backpack. It features an insulated food compartment and a waterproof drink pouch. This is perfect for camping or long hikes to your picnic destination.
Best picnic basket add-ons
While most picnic baskets will come with almost everything you need, it never hurts to make sure you have all of the essentials. Don’t leave for your picnic without grabbing a reusable ice pack to keep your food cool and metal straws for your drinks.
Fit & Fresh Cool Coolers Reusable Ice Packs: available at Amazon
These long-lasting ice packs are small and slim enough to fit into any basket or backpack. They will keep your meal cool all day, which makes them perfect for picnic destinations that require long walks.
Hiware 12-pack Reusable Metal Straws with Case: available at Amazon
If you prefer straws with your picnic drinks, these reusable metal ones may be perfect for you. These straws come with nylon cleaning brushes and a cotton carrying bag. The stainless steel is tasteless, safe and easy to clean.
Best picnic food
If you choose to plan and cook the menu on your own, you may find yourself looking for recipes that are easy to transport and eat. While you could spend hours scouring the internet for suitable foods, you could also simply purchase a cookbook full of great picnic meals.
The Picnic: Recipes and Inspiration from blanket to basket: available at Amazon
This recipe book features not only dozens of picnic food ideas but also picnic party ideas and advice on how to scout the perfect spot. If you’re looking for overall picnic guidance, this is the book for you.
Picnic: 125 Recipes with 29 Seasonal Menus: available at Amazon
If you’re looking to cook the perfect picnic meal for a specific place or palette, this picnic recipes book offers over 100 recipes and planned menus for those still unsure of what to make. Each menu is geared toward a different season or occasion.
Best reusable containers for picnics
Whatever place you choose for your picnic, you should leave it better than you found it. That’s why it’s important to reduce waste by bringing your food in reusable containers.
Fullstar Food Storage Containers with Lids: available at Amazon
This 40-piece set is leakproof, freezable and dishwasher safe. It delivers a variety of sizes for all of your picnic appetizer, entree and dessert needs. It even has little condiment cups for dressings and dipping sauces. The hinged lids will prevent it from ever spilling inside of your basket. Homelux Theory Reusable Silicone Storage Bags: available at Amazon
These reusable sandwich bags are great for all foods, hot or cold. The leak-proof silicone is easy to fill, close and clean. They’re great for saving space in your basket and are lighter than most reusable containers. You can even write on them for easy labeling.
Best entertainment for picnic dates
If you can’t find a free concert or event to enjoy during your picnic date, you can always bring your own entertainment. Music, games or even an easy art project can take your picnic from good to great.
Oontz Angle 3 Bluetooth Portable Speaker: available at Amazon and Home Depot
This affordable portable speaker offers great sound quality and volume. It’s water-resistant and lightweight, which makes it perfect for taking along on picnics. The 14-hour battery life is sure to last your entire date.
Anker Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker: available at Amazon
More Top Picks Celestron Nexstar Reviews
This speaker is designed to be easy to use and portable. It’s completely outdoor-proof, which means you don’t have to worry about it if you get caught in the rain on your picnic. It has incredible bass and 24-hour battery life.
The Hygee Game: available at Amazon
Conversation games are one of the best ways to get to know your date. This game is designed to enhance the quality time spent with your loved ones and provide a cozy atmosphere.
Anabelle Weissinger is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.