What to Buy and Bring for a Nature Trip

A nature trip needs more than packed lunches and comfortable shoes. You need supplies for the route, changing weather, group safety and a simple outdoor meal. This checklist covers the items to buy or bring, from coolers and thermos flasks to waterproof maps, first aid supplies and reusable tableware. Use the number of participants to scale food, drinks and serving equipment, and check access, parking and the forecast before shopping.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Picnic tablesqty 4
Folding chairsqty 30
Picnic blanketsqty 6

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Flashlightsqty 12
Power banksqty 6
Megaphone
Binocularsqty 8
Camera
GPS devicesqty 4
Mobile phonesqty 4

Navigation

Compassqty 6
Route mapsqty 35
Waterproof route coversqty 6

Safety

First aid kitqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 6
Whistlesqty 12
Reflective vestsqty 8
Rain ponchosqty 35

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving tongsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 40
Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable cutleryqty 40
Napkin holdersqty 4

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 8
Spare batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Multigrain bread rolls - 36 pieces
- Wraps - 36 pieces
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 1,5 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 750 grams
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Muesli bars - 40 pieces
- Cookies - 5 packs
- Spice mix - 2 bags
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Still water - 60 bottles
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 4 liters
- Honey - 1 jar
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Paper lunch bags - 40 pieces
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Wet wipes - 4 packs
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces

Tips

Pack two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add one drink for every two hours after that. Keep chilled drinks in coolers and carry hot drinks in thermos flasks.
Prepare one lunch pack per participant, plus at least two extra portions for late additions or damaged food. Bring cutting boards, bread knives and serving tongs if lunch is assembled at the meeting point.
Print one route map for every group and place each map in a waterproof route cover. Keep a compass or GPS device with each group instead of relying on one person’s phone.
Bring one rain poncho per participant when rain is possible, and pack emergency blankets and a first aid kit in an easy-to-reach bag. Check the kit before loading the transport.
Plan one reusable cup, plate and set of cutlery per person, plus five spare sets. Take waste bins or bags for the meeting point and picnic area, and pack napkin holders so loose napkins do not blow away.

Frequently asked questions

How much food should I buy for a nature trip?: Prepare one lunch pack per participant and add at least two extra portions. Include enough food for the planned duration, plus a small buffer if registrations may change on the day.
How many drinks do I need for a hiking group?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one additional drink per person for every two hours after that. Bring extra water if the route has no reliable refill point.
What safety equipment do I need for a nature trip?: Take at least one first aid kit, emergency blankets and whistles for each organised group. Add rain ponchos for every participant when wet weather is possible, and use reflective vests near roads or in low light.
When should I check the weather before a nature trip?: Check the forecast 24 hours before departure and again on the morning of the trip. If rain, heat or strong wind creates a route risk, adjust the route before participants travel to the nature area.

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