What to buy for a Father’s Day picnic

A Father’s Day picnic needs more than sandwiches and drinks. Plan food for the confirmed guest count, then add coolers, ice packs, reusable tableware, serving utensils and coffee supplies. You will also need a practical way to serve and transport everything, plus shelter, seating and blankets if the picnic area does not provide them. Check dietary requirements before shopping, and confirm your bad-weather plan before buying fresh food.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 40
Picnic tablesqty 4
Picnic blanketsqty 8
Tableclothsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable cupsqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Pouring jugsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Bread knivesqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Ice packsqty 20
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Father’s Day postersqty 4
Table decorationsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Handwash sinksqty 2
Cleaning bucketsqty 2

Sports equipment

Frisbeesqty 3
Kubb set
Footballsqty 2
Picnic gamesqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- White bread - 8 loaves
- Brown bread - 6 loaves
- Whole wheat wraps - 40 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Back ham - 1,5 kilogram
- Smoked chicken breast - 1.5 kilograms
- Vegetarian falafel - 1,5 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Red onions - 6 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Celery - 2 heads
- Potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Pasta - 2 kilograms
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Feta cheese - 800 grams
- Olives - 500 grams
- Corn - 6 cans
- Kidney beans - 6 cans
- Pine nuts - 300 grams
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Spice mix - 2 bags
- Strawberries - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Melons - 3 pieces
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilogram
- Salted crackers - 6 packs
- Mixed olives - 4 containers
- Father's Day cake - 2 cakes
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Chocolate - 1 kilogram
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Still mineral water - 10 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Mints - 1 box
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Hand soap - 2 dispensers
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls

Tips

Shop for chilled food and drinks no more than 1–2 days before the picnic. Chill drinks before leaving and pack cold food in coolers with ice packs rather than relying on the venue’s facilities.
Plan roughly 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Bring extra water, especially if guests will be outside in warm weather.
Match reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery to the confirmed guest count, then add 2–3 spare place settings. Serving platters, tongs and pouring jugs are easy to forget and are needed before anyone starts eating.
Allow at least one picnic blanket for every 2–3 people unless there are enough picnic tables and chairs at the location. Pack tablecloths separately so they stay clean during transport.
Label food that contains common allergens and pack dietary options in separate containers. Add waste bins, napkins and food-storage containers to the shopping check before you leave.

Frequently asked questions

What food do I need for a Father’s Day picnic?: Plan one main portion, one salad or side, fruit and snacks for each guest. For a 3-hour picnic, allow about 2–3 drinks per person in the first hour and 1 per person afterward, plus extra water.
How many plates, cups and cutlery sets do I need for a picnic?: Use one place setting per confirmed guest and pack 2–3 spare settings. If coffee and tea are served separately, count one coffee cup per guest as well.
How much ice do I need for a picnic cooler?: Use enough ice packs to keep all chilled food and drinks cold for the full journey and picnic. As a practical starting point, take at least 1 large ice pack per cooler compartment and add more for a hot day or a picnic lasting over 3 hours.
When should I buy food for a Father’s Day picnic?: Buy fresh sandwiches, salads, fruit and other chilled food 1–2 days before the picnic. Chill drinks the day before, and pack food in labelled containers on the morning of the event.

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