Summer Picnic Dos and Don'ts

Warm temperatures, plenty of sunshine, blue skies, bright blossoms and birdsong are a few great reasons to enjoy the great outdoors! In addition to the basic enjoyment of the outdoor aesthetics, there are also health benefits to getting outside more.

Spending time outside has been shown to improve your mental health and boost your ability to concentrate, all while lowering stress to help you relax and improve your general feelings of wellness. People that spend more time outside, or even just live near green spaces, are also more likely to be physically active and enjoy longer lifespans.

Even without considering the health benefits, having a picnic is at its core a great way to spend time outside making memories with friends and loved ones.

To help you plan your next picnic, we put together a list of the best “dos and don’ts” for having a successful picnic this summer. Check them out!

First, the Dos!

Getting ready to enjoy a picnic with the special people in your life? Here are some Dos for a successful, enjoyable outing.

• Do be weather-conscious and, to the best of your abilities, plan for a day with clear weather and good conditions.
• Do bring along a cooler. August may mean lovely weather, but high temperatures can cause premature spoilage of perishable food. Both soft-sided and hard-sided coolers are suitable, but soft-sided coolers may be more comfortable to carry, especially if you have a long hike away from the car.
• Bring along a waterproof blanket on which to dine. Most textiles are permeable and can allow not only moisture to wick through, but sand and dirt to get into the weave. A waterproof, impermeable outdoors blanket will prove much more practical (and likely more easy to clean!).
• Do bring along cushions and pillows in addition to the blanket so that everyone has a nice place to sit or lay.
• Find a spot in the shade if you can; a nice spot with a view.
• Do (if possible) remove your shoes when on said blanket or mat, as it will help keep your dining space cleaner.
• Do share responsibilities - one person shouldn’t be responsible to bring or carry everything!
• Prepare whatever food you can ahead of time. Bring along a knife and utensils, as well as a small (flexible, if possible) cutting board, so you can do basic food prep. However, remember, you won’t have access to a sink, so try to prepare most, if not all, of what you’re eating at home beforehand!
• Do pack any food (when possible) in crushproof containers to prevent spills and other messes.
• Do bring along some sweet treats to put the finishing touches on a lovely meal. Walker’s Shortbread snack packs are positively ideal for this, and conveniently packaged in picnic-sized portions!
• Be prepared with pest prevention measures. This includes but is not limited to food covers to keep insects and other pests out of your food, as well as bug spray to keep the bugs away from you. Some areas may also allow you to burn citronella candles or bug repellent incense.
• Do bring along adequate sun protection; the August sun can cause burns in less than an hour.
• Do be ready with hydration. Soda, lemonade and other sweet refreshments are nice, but remember, it’s August! The hotter months of the year will require you to be prepared with water to keep everyone cool, refreshed, and hydrated.
• Bring napkins and wet wipes, since you (likely) won’t have access to a restroom where you can clean up afterwards.
• Do be prepared with other activities. The food may be the focal event, but picnics present a grand opportunity to explore other recreation outdoors. Books, board games, and yard games, like badminton, are great options. You might also want to bring along a small Bluetooth speaker so you can play some tunes.

                                

• Be ready to observe “carry-in, carry-out” protocols. In many areas of the country this practice is observed. Whatever you bring in with you, bring it back out, and that includes garbage and other waste. Make sure you have adequate trash bags and other vessels for disposal!
• Do be courteous to others enjoying the same green space as you. Don’t play music too loud or take up too much space. Remember, the great outdoors are for all of us, and outdoor recreation takes on many different forms.

And lastly, do observe all local rules and regulations for usage of the public open space where you have your picnic. Remember, ordinances can vary according to location or the body that administers the land on which you’ll be dining, so be respectful of the rules and of other people around you!

Now for the Don’ts

Now that you know some top tips for having a wonderful picnic, here are some pointers for what not to do.

• Don’t try to carry too many heavy things with you, especially if you won’t have a vehicle nearby.
• Pay attention to the weather and temperature. The July sun can cause overheating and many areas of the country experience thunderstorms and other extreme weather at this time of year.
• Don’t place your shoes on the blanket, and keep your feet away from the food.
• Don’t waste too much time looking for the “perfect” spot. It’s just a picnic!
• Avoid perishable food if possible (another thing that makes shortbread snack packs great!).
• Don’t bring food that needs to be eaten with a knife and fork, if possible.
• Don’t drink too much; staying hydrated is important but if you are away from a location where you will be able to relieve yourself, it could get uncomfortable.
• Take everything with you when you leave.

Where to Picnic?

While it’s easy to think of National Parks as great outdoor destinations (and they are) there are so many more opportunities out there and many of them are likely in your backyard!

Check Google Maps for local parks. Often administered by the city or municipality, these can be great places to have picnics, and depending on where you live, they might not even be crowded.

Another place to check is your state’s division of Parks and Forestry. Though it will vary by state, these public places of accommodation often have facilities such as bathrooms, designated picnic areas, public beaches, covered gazebos, and park benches and tables. Some even have public grills!

Plan Your Best Summer Picnic Ever Now

Put some of these tips for dos and don’ts into practice today, prepare with some shortbread snack packs, and find a place to get out there with your friends and loved ones!