Here are some easy picnic tips to follow. They will help you relax and have a perfect picnic.
Try to take everything you need with you. It is really annoying to leave something behind.
Planning your picnic adds to the anticipation of a good day out and makes the day all the more pleasurable.
One of the most important tips. If you have a list you can tick off items as you pack and you are less likely to forget things.
I make lists for everything. Click here to see a list to get you started. Print it out and use it to compile your own. |
If you try to prepare everything yourself you will only get stressed.
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A poor weather forecast does not necessarily mean you have to cancel the picnic just take suitable picnic equipment to provide shelter or choose a spot where shelter is available. |
A good place to check the weather forecast in your area is the Bureau of Meteorology in your country or state. In Australia the web site to look for is www.bom.gov.au .This site will give you up to date information on wind, weather and sea conditons.
If the picnic is to celebrate an important occasion such as a wedding make arrangements to hold the event undercover if you need to.
In the heat of the summer thunderstorms can arrive in the afternoons. Be prepared to find shelter. Take indoor games to play or books to read while you are waiting for the storm to pass.
Wind can be a nuisance on a picnic. Even a small breeze can seem like a hurricane if you are trying to hold down paper napkins or tableclothes. Use tablecloth clips if the wind gets up or use ordinary clothes pegs to keep the tablecloth from flapping in the breeze and blowing onto food.
Check for fire bans if you are having a barbecue. Some picnic spots have electric barbecues. Use these instead of an open fire especially if the weather is hot and dry.
A good picnic tip is to pick an area that is suitable for the people who will be going to the picnic. It is useful to know what facilities are available where you intend to picnic. Are there tables and benches, a barbeque area if you intend to cook toilets, shelter or changing rooms?
Even if there are tables and benches provided you may need extra chairs especially if older people will be there.
If children are coming see if there any climbing frames, swimming pools or walks through the bush to keep them entertained.
Think of picnic safety. Avoid obvious hazards like busy roads, wild water or high cliffs. You want to be able to relax too and not be constantly nagging kids to be careful.
If it is to be a romantic picnic it is lovely to have a view.
The internet and tourist information offices are good starting points to find picnic areas near you. Try local councils, state or national parks authorities. They may have picnic tips for good picnic areas.
Accidents can happen at any picnic.
There can be tumbles, scrapes and bruises.
Take a first aid kit with you. Either buy on ready made or compile your own from this first aid kit list.
When you are packing a picnic don't take valuable items or favourite toys if you can help it. Avoid electronic gadgets as much as possible. Things tend to get dirty, wet or lost in the great outdoors.
Work out how you going to pack your picnic. Pack your food carefully and be sure to keep it cool. This is very important for picnic food safety.
Keep your food in a cooler box or esky that is the right size to hold all the food your group will need. Take another to hold your cold drinks. Here are some to give you an idea of what to look for.
Picnic baskets look lovely but remember you may have to carry things quite a way. Even a few items can get heavy and annoying to carry too far. Look for bags on wheels which are easy to pull along. |
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Some basic picnic essentials can be packed well in advance ready for any picnic.
You can keep things like a bag of picnic games or swimming gear ready to go. Then all you will have to pack on the day is the picnic food and drink.
Don't forget to take a sharp knife, a cutting board and a bottle opener.
Use your picnic list to make packing easy.
The Most Important Picnic Tip of All
Relax and Enjoy Yourself.