How to Pack the Perfect Picnic

After approximately 52 months of fall-winter, fall, winter, second winter, winter-spring, and a global pandemic that pretty well kept us all indoors through the remaining winter-adjacent months, it’s finally summer in Wisconsin!

Let’s face it, with all that wait, nobody wants to be stuck in the kitchen on a gorgeous summer day. So, instead of slaving away over the stove, why not call up some friends, pack a picnic and head to a local park or beach?

Not sure where to start? Don’t panic! Although there’s nothing wrong with tossing odds and ends in a bag and calling it a picnic, it pays to put in a little extra effort. We’ve collected some tips to help turn that picnic into party.

Need ‘Em (But Don’t Eat ‘Em)

Let’s start with the basics – the non-food items you’ll need for a safe and comfortable picnic:

• A picnic blanket with a waterproof side so no one ends up looking like they wet themselves.
• A cooler (or two!) large enough for your perishable food items and drinks. You’ll also need plenty of ice or a few cooler packs to keep everything cold.
• Reusable or disposable plates and utensils, but save the sea turtles by skipping the straws.
• Paper towels for wiping hands, faces and anything that spills.
• Hand sanitizer, the signature scent of 2020.
• A trash bag to bring your garbage home with you (no, we’re not talking about your ex).
• A Bluetooth speaker to stream some certified fresh jams. [LINK: Tuesday Tunes Post]

Now for the Good Stuff

There’s just something about eating al fresco that makes everything taste better. Here are five picnic meal ideas that will make your guests’ mouths water:

• Turkey & Provolone Sandwiches + Sea Salt Potato Chips + Classic Coleslaw + Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Fried Chicken + Corn & Basil Salad + Fruit Salad + Pecan Pie
• Grilled Veggie Wraps + Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Salad + Deviled Eggs + Apple Hand Pies
• Carnitas Tacos + Mexican Street Corn Salad + Tortilla Chips with Guacamole & Salsa + Mexican Chocolate Brownies
• Shrimp & Veggie Spring Rolls + Cold Sesame Noodles + Shaved Cucumber Salad + Rice Krispy Treats

Remember to pack plenty of beverages to wash down your picnic spread. For the kiddos, bring bottled water, juice boxes or freshly squeezed lemonade. For the adults, you can’t go wrong with an assortment of Mike’s Hard Lemonade, which come in flavors such as peach, raspberry, pineapple and strawberry.

Have any other picnicking pro tips? Be sure to share them in the comments!