Food and Beverages

• done!Casual foods, preferably sandwiches or other things you can eat without utensils.

  Avoid foods with mayonnaise. Pack everything in lightweight, resealable containers.

  Related: Easy Summer Picnic Ideas
• done!Ice pack or bags of ice.

  Food can spoil and harbor bacteria when not stored at the right temperature. Keep everything cold with refreezable ice packs, or fill a couple of resealable bags with ice cubes: They’ll chill food as it’s transported. Add ice cubes to drinks during the picnic. Empty out whatever remains before you go, for a lighter trip home.

• done!Drinks.

  Bring an assortment of kid-friendly and adult beverages, such as bottled water and juice.

• done!Condiments.

  Some ketchups and mustards come in mini jars that are small enough to throw in your tote. (Keep the jars to refill at home for your next picnic.)

• done!Salt and pepper.

  Allow everyone to season their food to their liking on the spot.

Tableware

• done!Cups and plates.

  Whether you choose eco-friendly paper, plastic, or bamboo, lightweight, stackable dishes make packing easy. Tip: Stalk Market plates ($4 for 15) are made from renewable sugar cane fiber; buy at greenfeet.com.

• done!Utensils, if needed.

  Opt for reusable utensils.

• done!Serving utensils, if needed.

  If you’re serving salads, you may need tongs or serving spoons.

• done!Cutting knife.

  Look for one with a cover for safe transporting. Or wrap the blade in a kitchen towel.

• done!Small cutting board.

  It’s always handy to have a firm surface for slicing meat, cheese, and bread.

• done!Corkscrew or bottle opener.

  Or both.

• done!Napkins.

  If you prefer not to use cloth, look for ones made of recycled paper or other materials.

Cleanup

• done!Trash bags.

  Don’t leave a mess behind. Dispose of everything you bring to the picnic site.

• done!Moist towelettes.

  When you don’t have access to running water, these make it easy to wash up after eating.

• done!Paper towels.

  Keep a roll on hand for mopping up spills and wiping bowls, containers, plates, and utensils before you pack them back up.

Miscellaneous

• done!Blanket.

  It should be large enough to comfortably hold all your picnic-goers and food. A light one that folds small is a bonus.

• done!Tote, backpack, or picnic basket.

  Stow everything in a lightweight, roomy carrier.

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