We've all heard the saying, "Life's a picnic." And in so many ways, a picnic is so much like life: It's all about surrounding ourselves with good people, enjoying delicious food and making sure we don't spill the good wine. See, just like life.
As we head into outdoor-eating season, start prepping and planning ahead so that all those picnics or barbecues or beach parties sail along just as smoothly as life does (or at least, as smoothly as we'd like it to). That means having all of the right accessories, like grills and plates and chairs and picnic baskets. Maybe an invitation to make it official, and some decorations to make everyone feel welcome when they get there.
We can't guarantee everyone's life will be a picnic, but we can try and help things go smoothly. We've gathered up some useful finds and clever gadgets that will make that picnic go off without a hitch, and hopefully be fun and memorable, too. Things like a biodegradable cardboard grill that doesn’t need to be cleaned and put in the car, and a kit that has everything one needs for a picnic for two, including a table. And then are those things that are useful, but also purely for fun like the cooler that looks like a tree stump that one can also sit on. Because as in life, we all need to take some time, grab a cold drink and relax on a vinyl nature facsimile once in a while.
Read on for 40 other items that will come in handy as we prepare for our al fresco eating events over the next few months. And don't wait too long to start planning: the warm months, like life, don't last forever.
Picnic Basket For 4
This picnic basket is filled with everything needed for a party of four. Bonus: It’s got a telescoping handle and wheels so it’ll be easy to get from the car to the picnic table.
Wine Picnic Basket, Service for 4 ($190, Wayfair)
Eco-Friendly Instant Grill
This grill made out of bamboo and cardboard that uses lava stones is lightweight and biodegradable. Genius!
Eco-Friendly Instant Grill ($15, UncommonGoods)
Tree Stump Portable Cooler Seat
What’s better than a portable cooler? One that looks like a tree stump. And like an actual tree stump, this one can be sat on, too.
Tree Stump Portable Cooler Seat ($40, Kirkland’s)
Portable Wine Table
This portable table with cutouts for a wine bottle and glasses is perfect for that romantic picnic for two. Or, for just one person who likes a lot of wine.
Mesavino Portable Wine Table ($40, Kirkland’s)
Mesh Screen Food Covers
Besides food, the most important thing to have at a picnic is something to keep the bugs away from that food. These mesh tents will do that.
Pop Up Mesh Screen Food Covers, 6 Pack ($14, Amazon)
BBQ Kit Cooler
This cooler packed with barbecue tools answers all of the essential picnic or cookout questions: What to cook, how to cook it and where to store the beer.
BBQ Kit Cooler ($100, UncommonGoods)
Picnic Party Invitation
The picnic is planned, now to figure out how to get everyone to show up. These downloadable, editable invitations can get the word out.
Picnic Party Invitation ($7, SunshineParties/Etsy)
Insulated Food & Drink Party Serving Tray
This insulated food and drink serving tray will make sure that no one has to drink warm beer.
Insulated Food & Drink Party Serving Tray ($41, Amazon)
Gingham Picnic Banner
Don’t forget the decorations at the family picnic! String this festive banner around the table or from a tree to perk up the picnic area.
Gingham Picnic Banner (from $18, LiquidStars/Etsy)
Fruit Keg Tapping Kit
Use this kit to turn watermelons and pumpkins into seasonal kegs that will be the center of any picnic table. Someone please try this with an eggplant and get back to us.
Fruit Keg Tapping Kit ($22, UncommonGoods)
Bamboo Serving Food Tent
This gorgeous bamboo serving tray has an attached mesh tent that will protect all of that enticing picnic food. Sorry, bugs.
Bamboo Serving Food Tent ($15, Amazon)
Portable Grill with Cooler Tote
This portable grill stores inside the cooler. While grilling, use the cooler to chill beer. It’s almost too good to be true.
Charcoal Portable Grill with Cooler Tote ($60, Kirkland’s)
Insulated Picnic Blanket
This waterproof picnic blanket is insulated to keep bodies warm against the cold sand or grass, and folds for easy carrying.
Insulated Picnic Blanket, Seats 6 ($22, Wayfair)
Folding Picnic Table
Not everyone is excited about eating while sitting on the grass or sand. Bring this portable table along to keep everyone happy.
Corby Folding Picnic Table ($100, Wayfair)
Plastic Stemless Wine Glasses
These elegant stemless wine glasses will elevate any picnic to a classy soirée, even if they’re filled with cheap booze.
Plastic Stemless Wine Glasses, Set of 4 ($49, Wayfair)
Beer Caddy
Impress the crowd by showing up with the beer in this classy insulated cooler instead of that soggy cardboard carrier. Plus, this one comes with its own bottle opener.
Beer Caddy with Bottle Opener ($30, UncommonGoods)
Portable Cheese Melt Utensil
I used to think bringing a portable raclette to a picnic was a ridiculous idea, until someone brought one and it was the best thing ever. Buy one now.
Portable Cheese Melt Utensil ($17, UncommonGoods)
Stemless Travel Wine Glass
For everyone who refuses to drink wine from a plastic cup even at a picnic (we all know those people) these spill-proof glasses are for them.
Stemless Travel Wine Glass ($25, UncommonGoods)
2 Person Picnic Basket
For smaller parties, this two-person picnic basket is ideal for bringing wine and food for a couple’s outing. An engagement ring box would look nice nestled among that fruit. Just saying.
Largo 2 Person Picnic Basket ($101, Wayfair)
Wine Carrier Picnic Cooler
Some people only want to bring the wine to the party, and that’s fine. This insulated cooler is for them, and includes glasses, dishes, and a corkscrew.
Wine Carrier Picnic Cooler, Service for 2 ($39, Wayfair)
Personalized Portable Coffee Carafe
For some, a good cup of coffee is essential at any gathering (*raises hand*). This stylish carafe can make that French roast go anywhere and can also be personalized in case mama is really territorial about her coffee (*raises hand again*).
Personalized Portable Coffee Carafe ($64, Wayfair)
Picnic Basket With Coffee Service
Speaking of coffee, they’ve made a picnic basket for us addicts — or for those who want a breakfast picnic. This one comes with insulated coffee mugs and carafe. Coffee freaks rejoice!
Picnic Basket With Coffee Service ($290, Wayfair)
Casserole Tote
Don’t even think of bringing that tater tot casserole to the picnic in anything other than this cheery tote.
Blue Lemon Casserole Tote ($17, Kirkland’s)
Glasses With Caddy
Mint juleps and margaritas will taste so much better served out of these sweet glasses.
Gingham Top Glasses with Caddy, Set of 4 ($15, Kirkland’s)
Chilled 5 Compartment Condiment Server
Finally, a way to keep all of the tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and jalapeños cool while the burgers are grilling.
Ice Chilled 5 Compartment Condiment Server ($26, Amazon)
Reusable Bamboo Cutlery
Ditch the plastic and bring along reusable cutlery sets that come with a reusable straw. Would make a great party favor for green-minded guests.
Reusable Bamboo Cutlery, 4 Sets ($25, Amazon)
Picnic Prep Set
A famous chef (I can’t remember which one) once said that the key to any good meal is having the proper tools. Be ready for any picnic predicament with this excellent prep set.
Essential Picnic Prep Set ($85, UncommonGoods)
Heat Conducting Scoop
What’s the point in keeping that ice cream frozen in a cooler if it’s impossible to serve? This heat-conducting scoop uses the heat from the server’s hand to warm the utensil.
Heat Conducting Scoop ($20, UncommonGoods)
Portable Reclining Seat Cushion
This folding seat cushion makes sitting on the ground or on the bleachers as comfortable as sitting in one’s own living room. Almost.
Portable Reclining Seat Cushion ($60, Kirkland’s)
Cooler Picnic Tote Bag
Then there are those who don’t want to bring food or drink to the party, but need to show up with a fashionable, insulated tote, anyway. After all, someone has to bring the napkins.
Activo Cooler Picnic Tote Bag ($40, Wayfair)
Portable Wine & Cheese Set
Show up with this classy wine and cheese set to be welcome at any picnic or beach party. The best part: it comes with its own little wooden table. Take my money!
Portable Wine and Cheese Set ($120, KreativeEarth/Etsy)
Checkered Gingham Tablecloth
I always remember to bring a tablecloth to cover up that battered, dirty, food-encrusted picnic table. And that’s just the table in my own backyard.
Checkered Gingham Tablecloth ($22, ZhenLinen/Etsy)
Vintage Picnic Tablecloth
Even better than a standard checkered tablecloth is this adorable vintage version covered in camper trailers.
Vintage Picnic Tablecloth ($17, Moyocraftsandmore/Etsy)
Folding Bamboo Chair
This folding bamboo chair not only looks nice but will have guests sitting pretty. It comes in several gorgeous colors to brighten up any gathering — or any backyard.
Folding Bamboo Chair ($70, Wayfair)
Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Don’t forget to bring along the tunes! This waterproof Bluetooth speaker will guarantee that everyone gets to groove to Cardi B all day long.
Comiso Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker ($30, Amazon)
Ice Packs
Every outdoor picnic or gathering needs an abundance of ice packs. Not just to keep food cold, but to ice those knees and elbows that we all know will be scraped and bumped.
Ice Packs, Set of 5 ($10, Amazon)
Solar Phone Charger
Now no one has to miss that perfect selfie at the company picnic because the phone is dead. This portable charger can use the sun as an emergency power outlet.
Solar Phone Charger ($30, Amazon)
S’Mores Sticks
No picnic or beach party would be complete without s’mores, and the proper roasting sticks are key to a marshmallow that’s cooked just right.
S’Mores Sticks, Set of 8 ($13, Amazon)
S'mores Caddy
This s’mores caddy holds everything needed (except the roasting sticks) for a round of the favorite party treats.
Hershey's S'mores Caddy ($10, Target)
Bug Repellant
Citrus and mint are said to be effective, natural bug repellents. Spritz a little around the picnic area or party setup to keep the critters at bay.
Peppermint Lime, Bug Repellant ($9, FirebirdAromatics/Etsy)
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, Cafemom may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
