Planning a picnic is just like planning a small, transportable party

If you think of it that way, it will help you with the organizing. Thinking through the who, what, when, where, why and how will keep you from missing any details. Essentially, the ideal picnic is nothing more than choosing a great location, inviting a good group of people, bringing something to sit on, and packing some delicious food and drinks.

Start with choosing a location

That will help you determine the food and other picnic essentials you’ll need to bring along. You can hold a picnic practically anywhere! Isn’t that why they are so much fun? It could be in your front yard, at a local park, a beach (lakeside or seaside), in the mountains or at a campground, the middle of a metropolis, or the countryside.

When deciding on the location, be sure to consider the on-site amenities. Because I’m a mom to young children, I’m always thinking about restrooms — where are they and how many? : ) But you might also want to think about the availability of running water, or if the location is easily accessible. Do you have to walk or hike a long way from the car? Will you be biking there? How many people are you bringing along? Do you need to make sure you choose somewhere that can accommodate a large group? If your dog will be joining you, is it a pet-friendly location? Those are the sorts of things you’ll want to keep in mind.

Don’t forget to consider the time of day

It’s another detail to take into account and can also affect where you go and what you pack. I love the idea of a morning picnic where I can enjoy breakfast foods in the cool morning. But I also like afternoon picnics when it’s warm outside and I can sit in the shade and enjoy the breeze. And we all know dinner picnics can also be fun, especially if you decide to bring a little grill along or build a fire to roast hot dogs.

Assess any unique needs of your guests

When I plan a party of any kind, including a picnic, I try to think about who my guests will be and if there are any specifics I need to keep in mind. For instance, if I’ve invited Grandma, I’ll want to pack a folding lawn chair in my trunk so she doesn’t have to sit on the ground. If there are going to be a lot of younger guests, I will plan on bringing some kid-friendly food, activities and games, so they have something to do while the grown-ups are chatting. Or I might choose a location that’s near a playground.