There's no better way to celebrate summer than by getting outdoors for a picnic.
Whether you head to the beach, the mountains or just down to the local park, picnics are a great way to celebrate the summer season and bring people old and young together. Get some pointers to make the most of your next al fresco adventure.
Enjoy cold salads like pasta and other grain salads. And don’t get bogged down by the standard macaroni-and-mayo you remember from childhood. Think fresh and light: tortellini tossed with fresh spinach and spring onions in a red wine vinaigrette. Or cold ravioli tossed with basil, broccoli and red peppers. Whatever you improvise, cold salads are a delicious, nutritious way to get beyond the standard sandwiches-and-chips menu.
Avoid mayonnaise and mayo-based salads or spreads that can spoil quickly in the heat. Opt for oil and vinegar instead.
Pesto makes a savory alternative for salads and sandwiches, and brings new life to old combos.
Blankets are good. Blankets on top of tarps are even better, especially if there’s been rain in the past few days. A few towels or pillows will also come in handy. Bring a few folding stools if you get tired of sitting on the ground.
Cutting boards make it easy to cut fruit, veggies, bread, cheese and more, and are especially important if you’re using paper plates. Plastic cutting boards are light and easy to clean, and can also be used as platters for serving.
Towels, both wet and dry, make it easy to clean up messes. Put the wet towel in a plastic bag – one good cloth towel can be worth twenty or more paper towels.
Put plenty of ice in your coolers. It takes a lot to keep food cold, and the heat of the day won’t help. Keep coolers in the shade if possible.
Bring hats, sunscreen, and a first-aid kit.
Games, books, and sports equipment will all get used. Bring out the games no one’s a pro at – think badminton. Bring some quiet board games for those who don’t feel like jumping around.