Cool Picnic Ideas

Looking for some fun picnic ideas? Picnics are great for all ages and for many different occasions. Picnics are a great way to spend a quiet afternoon. Traditionally, a picnic consists of two things; food, and the outdoors. Everything else is up to your own choices and imagination.

For a classic picnic, people tend to picture a red and white checkered table cloth with a brown basket containing light sandwiches. You're welcome to do it this way if you like. But there are no rules to a picnic, and if you feel the old cliché is too boring then you're more than welcome to do it differently.

Some people would prefer not to eat on a blanket or quilt. This is understandable. The material you lay out on the ground will have dirt and grass all over it afterwards, and you'll need to clean it. Eating on the quilt also means your food is very close to the ground. It can be easier for ants and other insects to quietly invade your picnic and help themselves to your snacks while you're not looking. As an alternative to the classic blanket, some people opt to bring a folding picnic table. These can be fairly cheap and are very portable. There are also many parks with stone tables available for public use. You don't have to eat on the ground to enjoy the outdoors.

There are lots of places to have a picnic. Anywhere outdoors counts. Parks are always popular. You can picnic in your own backyard if you prefer. Lots of people like to picnic on the beach, this is a good way to change things up. Instead of picnicking on open grass, some people like to get a better feel for nature and venture into the forest. This is okay, as long as you know the area and are safe. You don't want to picnic in a forest inhabited by bears, and you need to be certain that you won't get lost. Always keep safety in mind if you're going to enjoy a picnic in a forest or somewhere else exotic. There are many hiking trails in safe areas that still give you the feeling of being "away from it all".

Food is one of the things that make a picnic so enjoyable. You have many options when deciding what kind of snacks you want to bring. Sandwiches have always been one of the most popular options. They're simple hand foods and can last several hours without refrigeration. Fried chicken is another popular option.

You will probably want to pick something simple that requires no silverware and won't make a big mess. Bagged snacks like chips and cookies are simple and easy. Cheese and crackers are also tasty and easy to set up. Those who prefer healthy meals should think about raw vegetables, fruits and nuts. Always consider how long you're going to be out and how long the food will last. Instead of a basket you can bring the food in a cooler if you need it to keep longer. But use Zip-lock bags to keep the food safe from melting ice, or you might want to use freezer packs instead of ice cubes. Some drinks can also be frozen the night before, such as a bottle of water. You take it out of the freezer as you head off for your picnic, and it will be partially unfrozen but still very cool by the time you decide to drink it. Keep in mind that liquid expands when it's frozen, so consider drinking some of the water out of the bottle before placing it in the freezer so that it has room to expand. Don't try this with cans because they'll explode all over your freezer. Some people like to bring a bottle of wine on their picnic. But take the obvious precautions if you're going to be driving.

Picnics are a great way to relax and just enjoy the outdoors. The simple change of setting can really make all the difference. They can be a romantic rendezvous for two or a party for the whole family. Either way, you can make memories that will last long after the food is gone.

Enjoy picnics? Have some ideas of your own? Be sure to add your own picnic ideas.

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