Warm weather is finally here to stay (woohoo)! I love packing up our bags (or baskets) and heading to our fave spots near the lake/beach and enjoying a lovely picnic. Here are some ides to keep in mind when planning the perfect picnic:

Date/Time: What day will you choose to go? Weekends may be busier. Will you stay for the sunset or just enjoy during the day?

Location: Where do you want to go? Will you decide to take a hike someplace and choose to have a picnic in the woods, a nearby park, or will you head out to the beach? These things matter!

Bags: Will you bring a picnic basket of some sort? Maybe a backpack or your reusable bag that you use each week at the grocery store.. Knowing how much space you’ll have is pretty important.

Menu: What will you bring? Will you bring homemade sandwiches or Subway? I love coming up with cute little meals that are easy to pack away and bring along. Preparing everything the night before usually helps so there’s no need to bring utensils to ‘make’ the food during the picnic. Some of my favorites are pasta salad, sushi, and cheese + charcuterie.. oh and a can of Truly (I would prefer a bottle of wine though). You can also brew some homemade iced tea or good ol’ H2O and bring it in a thermos so it stays nice and cold!

Essentials: Will you decide to hammock in the trees, lay on the beach, or at a park at an actual picnic table?? If so, you may need a hammock or big blanket to lay out wherever you choose to go.

Extra Essentials: Can’t go wrong with a portable speaker and a killer playlist, right?! A deck of cards could also make this trip unforgettable and don’t forget your camera! If you want it picture-perfect, maybe bring a few pillows to personalize your trip. One of my favorite parts about picnics is watching the sunset on the beach!

Most importantly, don’t forget to clean up after yourself and do your part! Reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as you can 🙂

Will you be planning any picnics this summer? Drop your favorite picnic recipes or ideas below!