What to Buy and Bring for a Picnic

A picnic needs more than sandwiches and a blanket. Plan food, drinks, servingware, cooling equipment and a few items for comfort and activities. This checklist covers the practical setup, from chilled drinks and prepared salads to tables, reusable plates and shade. Check dietary requirements before shopping, then wash fruit and vegetables and chill drinks on the day before you leave.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 50
Picnic blanketsqty 12
Buffet tablesqty 3
Parasolsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable bowlsqty 60
Reusable cupsqty 100
Reusable wine glassesqty 60
Reusable cutleryqty 60
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 6
Water jugsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 4

Catering

Coolersqty 6
Ice packsqty 24
Bread basketsqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Corkscrewsqty 3
Groceries
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White pistolets - 50 pieces
- Whole wheat wraps - 40 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 2.5 kilos
- Boiled ham - 1.5 kilos
- Smoked chicken breast - 1,5 kilo
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Egg salad - 1 kilo
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Celery - 2 heads
- Mixed salad - 2 kilos
- Potato salad - 3 kilos
- Pasta salad - 3 kilos
- Fruit salad - 3 kilos
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Melons - 3 pieces
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Salty sticks - 4 bags
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 tin
- Pepper - 1 can
- Paprika powder - 1 can
- Ice cubes - 10 kilos
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Mineral water for coffee - 10 liters
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 2 dispensers
- Hand sanitizer - 3 bottles
- Wet wipes - 6 packs

Equipment

Kettlesqty 2
Portable speakersqty 2

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 8
String lightsqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Menusqty 6

Sports equipment

Pétanque setsqty 3
Kubb setsqty 2
Card gamesqty 6
Frisbeesqty 4

Cleaning

Dishpanqty 2
Dish brushesqty 3
Tea towelsqty 12
Hand brush and dustpanqty 2
Disinfectant sprayqty 2
Cool bag for wasteqty 2

Tips

Plan roughly two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each additional hour. Bring extra water in jugs, especially if the picnic is outdoors in warm weather.
Shop for food at least one day ahead, but wash fruit and vegetables and prepare salads on the day itself. Keep bread, toppings, snacks and fruit in separate containers so they stay fresh and easy to serve.
Allow one reusable plate, bowl, cup and set of cutlery per guest, plus about 10% extra. Pack serving platters, tongs, spoons, bread baskets and cutting boards separately so they are easy to find during setup.
Chill drinks before loading the coolers and use ice packs to keep them cold during transport. Do not rely on one cooler for everything: separate drinks from food if possible, and bring a corkscrew for wine bottles.
Count seating before you leave: provide one chair or a comfortable place on a picnic blanket for each guest. Pack parasols for shade, LED lanterns or string lights if the picnic may continue after dark, and a pétanque set if you have planned an activity.

Frequently asked questions

How much food should I buy for a picnic?: For a meal-sized picnic, plan about 400–600 grams of food per adult, including bread, salads, fruit and snacks. Add around 10% extra for a mixed group or if the picnic lasts longer than three hours.
How many drinks do I need for a picnic?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one additional drink per person for every following hour. Include water as well as other drinks, and chill them before loading the coolers.
When should I do the picnic shopping?: Buy shelf-stable items, drinks and equipment one day before the picnic. Buy or prepare delicate foods as late as possible, then wash produce, prepare salads and pack chilled food on the day.
How many plates, cups and cutlery sets are needed for a picnic?: Pack one reusable plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra. For 20 guests, that means 22 of each item, along with enough serving spoons, tongs and platters.

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