The Perfect Beach Picnic Part 2: preparing for fun

   Welcome to Part 2 of The Perfect Beach Picnic. If you haven’t already, please check out Part 1, The Perfect Beach Picnic (the FOOD) It’s packed with great recipes and ideas for the perfect beach picnic menu.

   Once you know exactly what food you are bringing, from the appetizers and snacks to the desserts and drinks. Let’s talk about packing it all and getting it there. It may seem like a simple thing, but there are a lot of tricks and tips I’d like to share.

   Also, remember that a picnic doesn’t have to be at a beach, it can be anywhere at any time. Park, backyard, or even your living room. Set out a blanket on the floor, add food and you have yourself a picnic. Kids love this!

Let’s Talk Packing It Up

   A beach picnic is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with family and friends. But before you can relax and enjoy your meal, you need to figure out how to carry all of your food and drinks to the beach. Here are a few tips:

• The Cooler A cooler is a must-have for any beach picnic. We all know that, but what kind is best? A sturdy hard sided cooler with wheels. Wheels? You say. That can’t be pulled through sand. No, but most beaches have parking lots, boardwalks, packed down dirt, or gravel. Why not have the option of wheels?

• Insulated Bags: Insulated bags are a great way to carry food and drinks that do not need to be kept frozen or as cold as other foods.  They usually have pockets and shoulder straps. Get those kids involved in carrying things down to the beach.

• Plastic Containers: A great way to pack sandwiches, snacks, salads, and other wet(ish) foods are plastic containers. They are lightweight and easy to carry. Ones with handles are even better. Many beaches and parks do not allow glass, making plastic a great choice.

• Reusable Utensils: Reusable utensils are a great way to reduce waste. They are also easier to carry than disposable utensils. It’s tempting to use disposable but think of it this way. You have to carry out everything you brought in anyway, why not take the reusable home and wash it instead of taking more garbage home to throw out. Reusable not only saves the planet it also saves money! And we all could use some of that right now!

• Be Organized: Pack your food and drinks in a way that makes sense. This will make it easier to carry and find what you need. Think about when in the day you will be using each food or item and layer them in the cooler and bags thusly. Digging through the cooler is not fun and your neighboring beach goers may hear some bad words. I can’t stand digging through things. Put all the snacky type things in a cooler or bag by themselves. This way the kids can “dig” through it themselves and not disturb the main courses.

Packing Hacks

   Now that we have talked about some cool things to carry the picnic in, let’s talk about making it easier!

• Pre-freeze Drinks: Freeze water bottles or juice boxes the day before to act as extra ice packs. As they melt they will be nice and cold to drink. This can also be done with paper milk cartons.
• Double-Duty Utensils: Opt for sporks or multi-tools that combine fork, spoon, and knife functions, reducing utensils to pack and wash later at home.
• Stackable and Collapsible Items: Choose stackable plates, bowls, containers, collapsible chairs, and other space-saving picnicware for easier transport.
• Ziploc Bags for Leftovers: Pack a few reusable Ziploc bags for leftover picnic food to minimize waste and keep things contained.
• Ice in Ziploc Bags:  Right before you leave and are packing the cooler fill 1 quart or 1 gallon Ziploc bags with ice cubes. They will keep your food cold and if someone wants ice in their drink you can provide it. Pack the bags loosely and they can “form-fit” around items.
• Ziploc Bags For Everything: Use Ziplocs for plates, utensils, food, baby wipes. everything!
• Carrying Deviled Eggs: it is actually easy to travel with deviled eggs. Just line the bottom of a container with lettuce or shredded cabbage. The lettuce or cabbage acts like little nests to keep the eggs upright and all that good filling from spilling out. I like to use a plastic square or rectangle container with a lid.
• Garbage Bags: Don’t forget the garbage bags! Most of the time you will have to take your garbage away with you when you leave. Don’t scrimp on the bags. The garbage is going in your vehicle!
• Beach Games and Toys: Put all of your beach games and toys in a plastic mesh bag. You can easily dunk the bag in the water at the end of the day to rinse them off and they will dry really fast in this sort of bag.

Must-Have Non-Food Picnic Items

• Sunscreen and Bug Spray: Sun protection and bug repellent are a must for any warm weather outdoor activity, including a beach picnic. You can spray the picnic blanket with repellant before any food gets put on it. Ants can have their own picnic somewhere else.
• Wet Wipes and Hand Sanitizer: These will come in handy (pardon the pun) for cleaning hands before eating, especially if access to water is limited. I think baby wipes are better than the harsher little square packets you get at the rib joint down the street. But, anything will be better than greasy hands. Even hand lotion works in a pinch.
• Picnic Blanket: There are so many cool picnic blankets out there. Very old fashioned (old bedspread?) to very modern (waterproof/non sand sticking)
• Shade Umbrella or Canopy: Providing shade is crucial on a sunny beach day. An umbrella or canopy can protect your food from the sun as well.

• Bottle Opener and Corkscrew: Don’t get caught unprepared! Pack a bottle opener and/or corkscrew for beverages you might bring.
• Bags for wet clothes and towels: I can’t stand wet things roaming around in the car. Wring them out and pack them up to bring home. Just remember to dump them out in the laundry room when you get home. Horrible smell if you don’t!

Things You May Not Have Thought Of

• Permanent picnic table or beach blankets? Folding chairs in case there aren’t any available tables? Most of the time kids don’t care about sitting down on anything but sand or a blanket/towel, but adults do. Make sure there are more than enough places for the adults to relax.
• Is there a grill there? Do you want to take one? Bringing a grill takes up a lot of room in a vehicle. Grill, charcoal, charcoal lighter fluid, matches, etc. You can pack the grill and all its accessories in a box for easier carrying and to help keep your vehicle clean.
• Who is going? Are you bringing older people or those with challenges that can’t walk far or will be uncomfortable on a beach blanket? Think about how everyone will get to the picnic spot itself. Try to make everyone as comfortable and safe as possible.
• Babies? They’ll need a porta-crib and all the things that babies require throughout the day. Shade is extremely important for them! And sunscreen! The porta- crib I used to have came with a “tent” top you could attach. It kept out all the sun and bugs.
• Bringing your best friend? If the beach allows dogs and you decide to bring yours don’t forget all that he/she needs. Water and food dishes. Food, toys, a place to get away if needed. Leash and pooper scooper bags. A doggie tent? Never ever leave your doggie in the car. Yes, I am going to lecture here. It is so unsafe! They can die in a matter of minutes from the heat and what if your car is stolen or broken into? There goes your precious baby. Ok, I could say more, but I’m done for now.

• Sandals/Water Shoes: One of the lakes we go to has many pine trees between the parking area and beach. Where there are pines, there is sap. And sap on bare feet is awful to get off! Now, I’m a barefoot queen, but even I wear something on my feet so I’m not spending the next 3 days trying to get the sap off. Of course it will get on your sandals, but they are easier to clean.
• Road trip? Come up with some games and snacks. The ride there can be almost as much fun as the picnic itself if done right. Or do what my parents did when I was little. The lake was about 90 minutes away. They would get me up before dawn and I’d sleep some more in the car. We would have breakfast, lunch and dinner at the lake and come home after sunset. I’d sleep all the way home! Do you think they did that on purpose?

   I hope this post and part 1 give you some ideas and I also hope your Summer is filled with fun, love, great memories and amazing food!

Oh, and with Father’s Day just a few days away a beach picnic is a perfect way to show Dad how much you love him!

Have a delicious and fun picnic!