A Backyard Picnic Is the Pick-Me-Up You Need

Although I love exploring new places, a big part of my travel philosophy is finding adventure in the everyday, whether at home or abroad. Finding creative activities closer to where you live is a great way to do that. Our latest adventure is having backyard picnics, and it’s been even more fun than I anticipated! 

Especially on gorgeous sunny days, a picnic is a relaxing and enjoyable way to spend your time: alone, with friends or family members, or as a date with your significant other. It can be as elaborate or low-key as you want, and it is quite easy and inexpensive.

If you’re thinking about planning a picnic, here are a few ideas for putting together a festive outing, right in your own backyard.

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Backyard Picnic Equipment

The beauty of a backyard picnic is that you really don’t need much equipment! However, there are a few items that will make your picnic more enjoyable. 

Picnic Blanket

A picnic blanket is the most important item, unless you don’t mind sitting on the ground. If you don’t have an outdoor blanket, any blanket will do!

I love ours because it’s cozy to sit on, but lined on the bottom to prevent moisture from soaking through. It also folds up with a velcro closure and a handle to carry it. Spence received it as a gift years ago, and I can’t find the exact same one, but this blanket is similar. 

Picnic Tray

Although not strictly necessary, having a flat surface to place food and drinks will make your backyard picnic a lot easier. I found this tray on Amazon with slots for wine glasses and a wine bottle!

If you don’t have a tray, a charcuterie board, platter, or plate will work.

Shade/Sun Protection

If you don’t have natural shade in your backyard, you may want to bring an umbrella and/or hat, depending on the weather. Also, don’t forget sunscreen!

Other Supplies

If there’s anything else you want to add, like pillows or games, you can easily bring those too! The beauty of a backyard picnic is that if you forget something, you can just run back inside.

Organize a Picnic Spread

Once you have your equipment, it’s time to focus on the food! In my opinion, this is the most important part of any picnic, in addition to the vibes. 

You can use whatever food you want for a picnic, provided you can find a way to eat it. However, some foods will be messier or more challenging to eat outside, and it’s also exciting to lean into the picnic theme! Here are a few food ideas that are picnic-friendly.

Charcuterie

Everyone knows I love charcuterie, and it makes excellent picnic food! Especially when you’re just setting up your picnic in your backyard, you can assemble the charcuterie on your board (or tray) and take it outside. If you’re transporting your food to a farther picnic destination, you may need to pack the elements and assemble on-site. 

Need help with assembling your charcuterie? Check out my post for an easy charcuterie board template! 

My biggest piece of advice for picnic charcuterie is to be careful with your cheese selection. Of course, I can rarely resist including Boursin in a charcuterie board, but just be warned that softer cheeses will be messier and more difficult to eat. 

For picnics, I recommend focusing more on harder cheeses. In addition to one of our favorite cheddar cheeses, we tried the Green Goddess Gouda from Trader Joe’s for the first time and were pleasantly surprised. Although it’s seasonal, the Trader Joe’s Pepper Jelly also pairs well with it!

Don’t forget to chop up your hard cheeses into smaller bite-sized pieces. While I always try to do this, for a picnic it’s especially important. If you want to elevate your picnic charcuterie with a salami rose, check out my previous instructions on this!

Finger Food/Apps

Another advantage of a backyard picnic is that you have the option to do heated food or food that would ordinarily be more difficult to transport, since your kitchen is only a few steps away.  Bite-sized finger food and apps are ideal for picnic vibes!  

For an easy shortcut, I threw the Trader Joe’s frozen Parmesan Pastry Pups and Pastry Bites with Feta & Caramelized Onions in the oven and then added them to our spread. If you want to go the extra mile, you could make your own apps as well! Deviled eggs would be a tasty addition to any picnic. Or, check out a few of these app recipes from the Food Network.

Sandwiches

Sandwiches are ideal for picnicking. You can purchase premade ones from the store or make your own. This Martha Stewart sandwich recipe is even designed specifically for a picnic. Tea sandwiches would also be adorable and are easy to throw together.

Fresh Fruit

It feels wrong not to include fresh fruit in a picnic since it’s so natural and flavorful. Berries are an easy addition, or you can preslice some of your other favorite fruits.

Dried Fruit/Nuts

While dried fruit and nuts are a natural part of a charcuterie board, you can include them even if you aren’t going in that direction. They make for easy snacking food and are both nutritious and delicious!

Mini Desserts

To me, dessert is always a requirement. I love mini desserts for picnics because they’re cute and easy to eat. 

I found these mini Lofthouse cookies at Target. Although Lofthouse cookies may not be the classiest dessert and are a bit controversial, I think they’re whimsical and taste amazing (ifykyk). If you want to put in the effort, you can also make your own.

For more elevated dessert options, consider macarons, chocolate-covered strawberries, cupcakes, mini tarts, or lemon bars.

Drinks

You can pretty much drink anything at a backyard picnic, which is not true of all picnics, due to open container laws. Sparkling water, soda, lemonade, mimosas, and wine are all great options to consider!

Regardless of what you’re drinking, I recommend putting it in a fancy glass! Pretty glassware makes everything more celebratory.

Flowers

Speaking of presentation, adding some fresh flowers to your picnic spread takes it to the next level.

Plan Picnic Activities

Once you have your picnic spread, you can also consider if there are any activities you’d like to plan! A few of my favorites are pretty low-key: chatting, reading, or napping. 

If you’re looking for something a little more involved, you could play games such as frisbee, spikeball, cornhole, etc. Or, you could even bring a deck of cards and break out some card games!

Bring Your Pet

Another fun idea for a backyard picnic is bringing your pet! We recently realized that being cat parents has turned us more into indoor people than we used to be, but we’re working on it.

Although it’s easy to bring a dog on a picnic, we discovered that you can also bring your cat! We haven’t gotten Mochi into a harness yet, mainly because he’s a troublemaker and we don’t want him to be too comfortable with the outside world, but he loves his bubble backpack!

One of the perks of having him contained is that we don’t have to worry about him getting into our food or making mischief. And he is as happy as a clam sitting in the sun!

Picnic Variations

If you’re looking to change things up a bit, here are a few other picnic ideas.

Head to a Park

Don’t have a backyard, or just want a little more distance between you and your home? Head to a nearby park! Just consider that you may need to pack foods that are easier to transport, and check with local regulations if you plan to bring alcohol.

Host a Potluck Picnic

If you want to invite friends over, you can make your backyard picnic a group activity and host a potluck! Ask everyone to bring a picnic blanket and their favorite picnic food, and see what happens — I bet it will be a great time.

Make It Seasonal

Adding seasonal elements to your spread is a special way to make your picnic feel festive. Although spring and summer are some of the easier seasons to picnic in, weather permitting, you can enjoy it any time of year! Winter might be a bit chilly, but I could especially see a fall picnic being delightful. 

Here are a few picnic ideas for all seasons. 

Spring Picnic

In spring, lean into light, bright foods, and decorate with tulips or baby’s breath!

Some food and recipe ideas:

• Citrus Fruits
• Sugar Snap Peas
• Artichoke Dip Bites
• Antipasto Skewers
• Strawberry Rhubarb Tarts
• Lavender Lemon Bars

Summer Picnic

For a summer picnic, embrace fresh foods that cool you off. You can decorate with hydrangeas or wildflowers. A July 4th picnic would also be a fun theme!

Some food and recipe ideas:

• Watermelon
• Stone Fruits
• Chips & Guac
• Bruschetta
• Melon Prosciutto Skewers
• Mini Cherry Cheesecakes

Fall Picnic

In fall, lean into rich, decadent foods that foreshadow the upcoming holidays. Incorporate mini pumpkins, sunflowers, or mums in your decor. If weather permits, consider hosting a Friendsgiving picnic potluck!

• Figs
• Persimmons
• Thanksgiving Charcuterie
• Pumpkin Butter Brie Bites
• Stuffed Mushrooms
• Apple Crisp Cups
• Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Winter Picnic

If you’re brave enough to picnic in winter, treat yourself to whatever you want — I recommend full-on holiday mode! You can decorate with mini poinsettias or amaryllis.

Some food and recipe ideas:

• Pears & Blue Cheese
• Christmas Charcuterie
• Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels
• Mini Quiches
• Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball & Crackers
• Molasses Cookies (my family’s recipe!)

While it might not be the most glamorous adventure, having a backyard picnic is a seriously underrated way to enjoy nature, good food, and quality time alone or with people (and pets) you love. As the English author W. Somerset Maugham wrote, “There are few things so pleasant as a picnic eaten in perfect comfort.”

Take Your Picnic to Wine Country