8 tips for the perfect outdoor picnic

Nothing lights up faces and hearts faster than being in the great outdoors, free to meander and wander and, of course, eat! Food just tastes that much better eaten al fresco. It’s why the Italians have a special name for it.

Here is a great compilation of tips and treats, leaving you no excuse not to get your picnic party on!

Try 4 of my simple picnic recipes to start you off:

1. Rooibos ginger iced tea – pack into your juice bottles and freeze overnight for extra cool drinks.

2. Chicken and Camembert sausage rolls – a sausage roll with attitude.

3. Barley salad jars – lovely glass jars filled with healthy barley salad.

4. Frozen fruit skewers – beautiful colours dipped in honeyed yoghurt.

Top 8 picnic tips

Besides the very obvious ones of packing a cooler box with ice packs to keep drinks and food cold, picnic friendly utensils, cutlery and plates, here are a few more handy ideas to send you on your merry way.

1. Pack fruit, nuts and biltong for extra snacks along the way, especially if you are traveling with kids and the journey might take longer than you planned.

2. Freeze water or juice the night before and pack in your cooler box so that by the time you’re ready to dine it’s deliciously slushy and chilled.

3. If you are traveling or walking particularly far and don’t have adequate keep-cool options, avoid using mayonnaise or dairy products in your food. 

4. Pack wet wipes! These are so useful for keeping hands and faces clean when you’re eating outdoors.

5. Pack rubbish bags to collect the mess you will make as you go along. Tie it up securely and take it home to deposit safely, or in the on-site bins if there are any.

6. Take a tablecloth instead of a picnic blanket to sit on if space is an issue as they are more lightweight and take up less space.

7. Pack insect repellent, sunscreen and hats.

8. Pack board games for some after eating fun.

Have any great picnic tips of your own? Let us know! 

Follow Sarah Graham on Twitter @SarahGrahamFood