5 MUST-HAVES FOR A SPRING PICNIC
The weather is warming up, which means more time outside to soak up the sunshine, and I’m already thinking of all the outdoor activities I want to do. One of those things is definitely picnics in the spring sunshine, which I mentioned in a recent blog post. But when I think about my ideal picnic, there are a few things I’ll need to really optimize the outing, so check out this list when planning your own spring picnic!
The Perfect Playlist
This might be the last thing on your list when packing a picnic, but having the perfect playlist will really improve the experience! You don’t want to be skipping songs or searching your phone for the right music to queue up when you could just be munching on tasty food and enjoying the outdoors. With that in mind, the perfect playlist should be one that suits your music taste but also relaxes you. I imagine picnic music being positive, slightly upbeat, and easy to listen to at a low volume. This is the playlist of my current faves to get you started, but making your own can also be a fun activity in itself.
The Menu
Having yummy food at a picnic is practically the most important part! Whether you want to make a full picnic meal or just throw together the best snacks you’ve got at home, your spread should be delicious and easy to cart around. You probably don’t want to have to deal with the stress of keeping your food refrigerated either, so I would opt for choices that can sit for a while outside of a cooler. I love bringing a wide variety of things to munch on, so you’ll usually find me with lots of fruit and veggies options, my favorite chips, and a homemade sandwich of sorts. I also highly suggest picking up from your favorite pizza spot if you don’t feel like packing a full spread.
Reusable Tote or Basket
Figuring out what to carry everything in can be tough since some food may need to sit upright and you may want to bring games to play and other miscellaneous items. For a smaller picnic, a reusable tote bag can be the perfect fit, and there are so many cute ones out there. I love this Billabong bag, and I have heard great things about these Baggu totes. Plus, you’ll use your reusable tote for so many things, so you’ll certainly get your money’s worth if you buy one specifically for a picnic. If you want to take a basket to hold more, it will certainly add to your picnic aesthetic! I have seen so many cute picnic baskets that are actually functional, like this wicker basket or this Canvas one from Target.
Big Blanket
Any blanket will do really, but I love bringing blankets that are super big so we have a lot of space to spread out. Especially if this is a picnic of more than two people, a big blanket, like this Amazon picnic blanket, will allow you the space to sit comfortably and put out all of your food options. It helps if the blanket is thick as well (this woven one might be a good option) because sometimes the grass can poke through and become a little itchy if the blanket is too thin. And your girl is allergic to grass so, no grass poking through for me.
Sunscreen
I cannot stress the importance of sun protection enough. If you’re going to be spending time outdoors this spring or summer, sunscreen is your best friend! This sunscreen from Rodan + Fields is my favorite and I love that it never feels oily on my skin. Plus, it’s the perfect size to take anywhere/everywhere; that means that hopefully I won’t be leaving it behind this season… A hat is also a good way to protect your face from the sun, and my Sunshine Hat is still available if you’re looking for a new one!