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Pack it in, Pack it out
1. Like any outdoor sport, picnicking requires a few accessories. Pack a corkscrew, cloth napkins and a pocketknife, and remember to bring your own garbage bags for easy clean-up.
2. Depending on your menu, pack plates, forks, and wet-naps for sticky fingers. Don't forget serving utensils for salads and desserts.
3. If you're using your park's grills, bring charcoal briquettes, tongs, grill brush and matches.
4. Sunscreen, a Frisbee or kite, ball and glove and an outdoor blanket are all you need for a perfect summer afternoon.
More Picnic Recipes and Links
Sandwich Lovers Unite
Picnic sandwiches are the backbone of the beloved tradition of eating outside. For home-cooking with heart, slice some meatloaf onto marbled rye and serve with homemade potato chips.
Salad Days
On a warmer day, lighter fare hits the spot.
Possible Picnic Destinations
- Park at a scenic overlook or on the side of a country road and spread out your picnic on the hood of the car and enjoy the view.
- Hike up a mountain trail with a backpack full of picnic goodies.
- Head to an outdoor concert early and picnic on the lawn outside the venue. You'll beat the parking rush and enjoy better food than is served inside.
- Bring your picnic basket to the local botanical garden and enjoy what's in bloom while you dine on favorite foods.
- Go to a local airport (even a small one) and picnic inside or out as you watch the planes take off and land.
- Drive to a nearby landmark, memorial, or a sculpture garden you've always wanted to check out and spread out a picnic meal nearby.
- Walk to a neighborhood park with your weeknight dinner for an impromptu picnic on a park bench.
- Transform a patio or sun porch to a rainy day picnic spot by spreading out a blanket and surrounding the setting with your indoor plants.
- Set a tablecloth on the carpet in your living room and eat picnic-style while watching a movie.