Quick Tips: Easy Picnic Planning Ideas

Whether you're having a picnic at the beach, the lake, the park or even in your own backyard, here are some simple picnic planning ideas:

• If you're short on time, use store bought meats, cheeses and breads to create delicious sandwiches that are portable and easy to eat.
• If your grocery store has a salad bar, make use of it. Make individual serving sizes so you don't have to worry about taking additional salad plates.
• Use fresh fruit as a sweet ending for a picnic.
• Choose food that's easy to eat with a fork or by hand - you can never guarantee being able to have access to seating and a table.
• Take a blanket or towel for each person and 3 or 4 extra, so you can make sure everyone has something to sit on and some for emergencies.
• If you're going to play a game or do something before you eat, make sure you have things that need to be kept cold in a cooler. The cooler can double as a table if you aren't able to get a picnic bench.
• Take individual bottles of soda or water and a plastic tumbler per person with a few extra. Chill them before you leave (or pick up cold ones from the store) and they can then be used for keeping the rest of the food cool.
• Take plenty of napkins along as well a couple of damp facecloths in plastic resealable bags for cleaning up those sticky fingers.
• Avoid taking food that needs to be cut, so instead of cake, take cupcakes. Instead of a loaf of bread, take rolls.
• It's not all about food - take insect repellent, especially if you're having a Dinner Picnic.
• Serve a menu which can be served at room temperature, that way you don't have to worry about keeping things cold.
• Avoid dishes with mayonnaise or dishes which spoil quickly - there's nothing worst than having a great picnic but then having to nurse a stomach ache.

For other ideas about outside entertaining, check out the Planning article on Outdoor Entertaining Do's and Don'ts.