A guide to enjoying the perfect family picnic

The sun is shining and the weather is warm; what better excuse do you need to pack up a picnic basket and head to the beach or park for a family picnic? Family picnics are made for summer days and a great way for families to spend time together while enjoying the outdoors. As well as this, picnics are so easy to put together and pack that they make for the perfect hassle-free day out.

To help you plan and enjoy the perfect family picnic these are the essentials you will need.

The practical stuff

A Picnic Basket: both stylish and practical it is no wonder that picnic baskets are one of our most popular products during summer. Our 2 Person Lightweight Willow Wicker Picnic Basket is great value for money at £26.99 and is ideal for small families, while we also have a 4 person version for larger families.

A cool box: along with your picnic basket, packing up a cool box will help to keep your perishable food cool. We offer an extensive range of cool boxes and bags that are available in a wide variety of styles, sizes and prices so that you can easily find the right one for your perfect picnic.

A blanket: whether you choose the park, countryside or beach for your picnic a blanket is vital for providing somewhere to sit. Our Jumbo Picnic Blanket is large enough for your whole family to sit on and also features a carry handle making it even easier to bring along to your picnic.

Plastic plates and glasses: you don’t want to be worrying about your plates and glasses getting broken during your picnic, so plastic is the best option. In our BBQ & Picnic Tableware section we offer an extensive range of plastic plates, cup and cutlery that are perfect for picnics, plus they can be thrown away at the end of the day to save washing up as well.

The food and drink

Sandwiches: everyone likes sandwiches so they are the perfect food for your picnic; and bringing along a range of fillings will mean that everyone in your family will be happy. Also packing a few packets of crisps as well will be the perfect addition to your sandwiches.

Salads: from pre-bought pasta salads to homemade versions, salads don’t have to be boring and can easily be packed into your cool bag making them a great addition to your family picnic.

Fruit: what better excuse to encourage healthy eating than enjoying the outdoors with a family picnic! You can simply pack some bananas and apples into your picnic basket, or you could choose more exotic fruits such as watermelons.

Cakes: few people will turn down cake and they are great for picnics. From bakewell tarts to finger sized Battenberg cakes, there are lots of classic English cakes that will complete your family picnic.

Drinks: packing your family favourite drinks into your cool bag will ensure everyone is happy with the choice of cool drinks during the family picnic.

The entertainment

Board games: travel sized board games are a great way of keeping the whole family entertained during the picnic. Simply put a few into your picnic basket and you’ll be entertained for hours.

Sports: if you have an active family why not bring some sports games with you. A simple football will keep everyone entertained for hours.