Family picnic shopping list
Planning a family picnic means buying more than sandwiches and fruit. You need enough chilled drinks, serving equipment, reusable tableware and containers to keep food safe and make setup easy. This shopping list covers the practical items behind the picnic, including coolers, ice packs, blankets, tables and food preparation supplies. Check guest numbers, allergies and dietary requirements before you shop, then collect fresh produce close to the event so it stays in good condition.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Party tentsqty 2
- Foldable tablesqty 8
- Folding chairsqty 60
- Picnic blanketsqty 12
- Buffet tablesqty 3
- Side tablesqty 4
- Coolersqty 6
- Transport cratesqty 12
Tableware
- Reusable platesqty 75
- Reusable bowlsqty 40
- Reusable cupsqty 100
- Wine glassesqty 40
- Coffee cupsqty 40
- Knivesqty 80
- Forksqty 80
- Spoonsqty 80
- Serving spoonsqty 12
- Serving plattersqty 12
- Serving tongsqty 8
- Pitchersqty 8
Kitchen
- Cutting boardsqty 6
- Chef's knivesqty 6
- Bread knivesqty 3
- Mixing bowlsqty 6
- Ice packsqty 24
- Thermos flasksqty 4
- Ice cube traysqty 4
- Food containers with lidsqty 20
- Aluminum foilqty 3
- Cling filmqty 3
Equipment
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Kettlesqty 2
- Bluetooth speakersqty 2
- Extension cordsqty 3
- Power stripsqty 3
Lighting
- String lightsqty 4
- Rechargeable lampsqty 8
- Flashlightsqty 4
Decorations
- Buntingqty 6
- Balloonsqty 80
- Tableclothsqty 8
- Name badgesqty 70
- Table décorqty 8
Sports equipment
- Footballsqty 2
- Frisbeesqty 4
- Kubb setsqty 2
- Badminton setsqty 3
- Skipping ropesqty 6
- Boccia setsqty 2
- Giant four in a row
- Playing cardsqty 6
- Board gamesqty 6
- Bubble solutionqty 6
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 6
- Dustpan and brushqty 2
- Bucketsqty 4
- Spongesqty 12
- Tea towelsqty 12
- Microfiber clothsqty 12
- Hand broomsqty 4
- Disinfectant sprayqty 3
- Hand soap dispensersqty 4
- Paper towel dispensersqty 4
Catering
- Groceries
- Pistolets - 75 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Croissants - 30 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Ham - 1.5 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 1,5 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Egg salad - 1 kilogram
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Strawberries - 3 kilograms
- Melons - 4 pieces
- Oranges - 30 pieces
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Radishes - 6 bunches
- Slamix - 2 kilogram
- Potato salad - 4 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 4 kilograms
- Raw vegetable salad - 3 kilograms
- Corn - 12 cans
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Olives - 4 jars
- Feta - 1 kilogram
- Herb butter - 1 kilogram
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 canister
- Paprika powder - 1 can
- Italian herbs - 1 canister
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Paprika chips - 5 bags
- Plain chips - 5 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salted crackers - 5 packs
- Rice cakes - 4 packs
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Raisins - 1 kilogram
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 40 pieces
- Muffins - 40 pieces
- Apple pie - 4 pieces
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Vanilla ice cream - 5 liters
- Ice lollies - 40 pieces
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Beer - 4 crates
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Ice cubes - 15 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Disposable plastic gloves - 2 boxes
Tips
- Plan around 500–750 ml of drinks per person for a two- to three-hour picnic, then add extra water for warm weather. Chill drinks in coolers and keep at least two ice packs per cooler.
- Buy or bring one reusable plate, bowl, cup, knife, fork and spoon per guest, plus 10% extra for dropped or misplaced items. Add separate serving spoons and tongs so guests do not use personal cutlery.
- Allow about 1 picnic blanket for every 4–6 people, and provide one seat per guest who may struggle to sit on the ground. Foldable tables and side tables also give you space for food, drinks and personal items.
- Use lidded food containers, cling film or aluminium foil for salads, cut vegetables and desserts. Wash fruit and vegetables before leaving, but keep prepared food chilled until it is served.
- Pack preparation and transport supplies before the shopping trip: coolers, ice packs, transport crates, cutting boards, knives and thermos flasks are easy to forget when the focus is on food.
Frequently asked questions
- How much food should I buy for a family picnic?
- For a main meal, plan roughly 400–600 g of food per adult, including bread, salads, vegetables and dessert. Children usually need about half that amount, depending on age and appetite. Add 10% extra when guest numbers are uncertain.
- How many drinks do I need for a family picnic?
- Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then about 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Include at least 500 ml of water per guest, and increase the total in hot weather.
- How many picnic blankets and chairs do I need?
- One large blanket usually seats 4–6 people comfortably. Plan one folding chair per guest who needs back support, plus 10% extra seating if older relatives or young children are attending.
- When should I buy food for a family picnic?
- Buy shelf-stable food and drinks 2–3 days ahead, but collect fresh fruit, vegetables and other chilled ingredients no earlier than the day before. Wash and cut produce on the day, then keep it cold until serving.
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