16 Must Have Items for Summer Picnics

Looking back on your childhood, what are some of your favorite memories with your family during the summer months?

Did you go on road trips? Did you enjoy camping, tubing down the river, or hiking?  Did you frequently grill out with family or play yard games?

Many of these are vivid memories I have from my own childhood, and some of them are family traditions that we are creating now as our own family grows.

My children love to have a picnic. We have picnics in the house on the floor with a blanket. We have built a fort of blankets over the dining room table before and had a picnic underneath.  We have done a picnic outside on the deck. We have also taken our picnics on the road. When we road trip to see our family that is way across the United States, we will do at least one picnic per day. This is a frugal way to eat on the road. It keeps your diet more stable and makes for more fun since you can do it at a rest stop, and the kids can run around and stretch their legs from the long ride.  Whether you do the standard “at the park” picnic or find a more creative venue – picnics are fun, frugal, often a healthier choice, and they create lasting memories.

Here are a few picnic items that are meant to make your time outdoors more enjoyable, family friendly, and clean up a breeze!

Good Eating

There isn’t always a picnic table wherever you go.  Here is a portable picnic table with 4 seats.
I would love to just keep this in the back of the car.

Picnic Tables are often dirty. Cover yours with this easy to use tablecloth covering set.

Do you have a tablecloth that refuses to stay on while outdoors? Check out these neat Tablecloth clamps for when it get windy.

Sometimes you just want to do a classic picnic on the ground. Those are fun! We have a picnic blanket just like this that folds into a carrying case. It is so useful for many things.  There are multiple designs to choose from!

Bring your food in a beautifully designed, sturdy insulated Picnic Basket.

Go green and set your picnic tables with these Preserve on-the-go 100% recycled dishes.
They are the perfect lightweight tableware for your outdoor adventure.  These are great for if you are grilling. Wanting to pack lunch beforehand? Check out these reusable bento boxes for your picnic. Bring your serving silverware in this easy wrap for best storage. Sometimes you like to play before sitting down to eat. Try these 3 Pop-Op Food Covers to keep the flies at bay. This one isn’t exactly a necessity, but isn’t it cute? Serve your condiments with a little picnic table on your picnic table! Everyone wants a cold drink on a hot day. I love this fruit infuser pitcher!

Fun and Games

Kids love nothing more than to spray each other with water on a hot day. Here is a water fun combo they will enjoy. Who didn’t play horseshoes as a kid? Here is a portable version ring toss that will make for hours of family fun. My family LOVES bocce ball! Have you ever heard of it? You can read how to play here.  See the set here. Frisbee is something that I have personally never been good at but my kids love it so I play anyway. Here are some fun flying rings that you play similar to frisbee. My husband loves croquet, and we have a set we break out a couple of times a summer. The little kids love to hit the balls around the yard too.

I hope you find a few things in this list above that make your picnics even more special. There is nothing like time with family and friends, eating good food, and making the most of the summer.  Life is so short and creating new family traditions and practicing old ones just reinforces a strong family dynamic for the next generation.