How much do you need?
Change the guest count and the list updates.
| Main food | |
|---|---|
| Sandwiches or wraps | 12 |
| Sides & snacks | |
| Cheese (lb) | 1 |
| Crackers (boxes) | 1 |
| Fresh fruit (lb) | 3 |
| Veggies & dip (lb) | 2 |
| Chips (bags) | 2 |
| Desserts | |
| Cookies | 16 |
| Drinks | |
| Lemonade or iced tea (gallons) | 2 |
| Water (bottles) | 16 |
| Gear & equipment | |
| Picnic blankets | 3 |
| Cooler | 1 |
| Ice packs | 3 |
| Cutting board & knife | 1 |
| Plates & disposables | |
| Plates | 12 |
| Napkins | 24 |
| Cups | 16 |
| Wet wipes (packs) | 1 |
| Trash bags | 2 |
| Games & activities | |
| Frisbee, ball or cards | 1 |
| Other | |
| Sunscreen | 1 |
| Bug spray | 1 |
Rules of thumb for a typical get-together, rounded up. Adjust for your crowd.
Rules of thumb
- Food
- About 1½ sandwiches or wraps per person, plus snacks and fruit. People graze at picnics, so variety matters more than volume.
- Drinks
- Count on two bottles of water per person on warm days, more if you’ll be playing games or walking.
- Keeping food safe
- A cooler with ice packs keeps food cold for a few hours. Perishable food shouldn’t sit out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F.
Planning timeline
A week before
- Pick a spot and check park rules on grills, alcohol and group size.
- Reserve a shelter for big groups.
- Share the plan and split up the list.
The day before
- Check the forecast and pick a backup plan.
- Freeze water bottles to use as ice packs.
- Wash and cut fruit and vegetables.
The morning of
- Make sandwiches and pack cold items last so they stay coldest.
- Put the blanket, sunscreen and bug spray by the door.
Before you leave the park
- Pack out all trash and leftovers.
- Check the ground for small things like bottle caps and utensils.
Tips from people who’ve done it
- Freeze water bottles overnight. They keep the cooler cold and thaw into cold drinks.
- Pack the cooler in reverse order: what you eat last goes in first.
- Bring one blanket per three or four people, plus one extra to put food on.
- Wet wipes and a trash bag solve most picnic problems.
Common questions
What food is best for a picnic?
Food that’s good at room temperature and easy to eat by hand: wraps, sandwiches, cheese and crackers, cut fruit, veggies and dip, and cookies. Avoid mayo-heavy salads on hot days unless you have a good cooler.
How long can picnic food sit out?
No more than 2 hours for perishable food, or 1 hour if it’s above 90°F. Keep it in the cooler until you’re ready to eat.
How do I keep food cold at a picnic?
Use a cooler with ice packs or frozen water bottles, keep it in the shade, and open it as little as possible.