River Picnic Shopping List

A river picnic needs more than sandwiches and a blanket. You’ll need a way to keep food and drinks cold, enough reusable tableware, shelter from sun or rain, and containers that travel without leaking. Start with the confirmed guest count, then separate food for dietary requirements before packing. This list also covers the items people often remember too late, including serving utensils, waste bins, power banks and lighting for a late finish.

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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 blanketsqty 10
Buffet tablesqty 3
Waste binsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable cupsqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 45
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Bread knivesqty 2
Measuring cupsqty 2
Food containers with lidsqty 12
Serving jugsqty 4

Equipment

Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Power banksqty 3
Extension cordsqty 2

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4
Rechargeable lanternsqty 6

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Buntingqty 4
Name badgesqty 50

Sports equipment

Frisbeesqty 3
Kubb set
Badminton setsqty 2
Footballsqty 2

Cleaning

Hand sanitizerqty 3
Litter pickersqty 2
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 12
Washing-up basinsqty 2
Broom and dustpan
First aid kit
Waterproof storage binsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Gluten-free bread - 2 loaves
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 2,5 kilogram
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 1.5 kilograms
- Herb cream cheese - 1 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1,5 kilogram
- Beef pastrami - 750 grams
- Smoked salmon - 750 grams
- Egg salad - 1 kilogram
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Red onions - 6 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 3 kilograms
- Feta cheese - 750 grams
- Olives - 500 grams
- Corn - 6 cans
- Chickpeas - 6 cans
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 1 liter
- Yogurt dressing - 1 liter
- Pesto sauce - 3 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Olive oil - 1 liter
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Salted nuts - 2 kilogram
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Strawberries - 3 kilograms
- Melons - 4 pieces
- Brownies - 50 pieces
- Whipped cream - 2 liters
- Vanilla ice cream - 5 liters
- Coffee - 1,5 kilogram
- Tea - 80 bags
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Mineral water - 48 bottles
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Lemonade - 8 liters
- Beer - 5 crates
- Non-alcoholic lager - 2 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Reusable labels - 60 pcs
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Organic waste bags - 20 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Hand sanitizer gel - 3 bottles
- Wet wipes - 4 packs
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Sunscreen - 6 bottles
- Mosquito spray - 4 bottles

Tips

Plan around 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then about 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Pack extra water separately, especially when guests will be near the river.
Pack food in lidded containers and use at least one cooler for drinks and another for salads, fruit and other perishable food. Keep diet-specific meals in clearly marked containers.
Bring one reusable plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. For 30 guests, that means 33 of each item so a dropped plate or missing fork does not disrupt serving.
Pack serving platters, tongs and spoons before leaving; they are easy to overlook when the food is prepared at home. Add cutting boards, a chef’s knife and bread knives if bread, fruit or shared dishes need last-minute preparation.
Take shelter, lighting and power supplies even when the forecast looks good. Pack party tents, blankets, rechargeable lanterns or LED string lights, plus charged power banks and extension cords if you are using speakers or lights.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a river picnic?: Allow about 400–600 g of food per adult for a picnic meal, including salads, bread, fruit and spreads. Add around 10% extra for a mixed group or a long afternoon.
How many drinks should I buy for a river picnic?: Use 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and about 1 per person for every additional hour. Include at least 500 ml of water per guest for a short picnic, and more for hot weather or extended outdoor time.
How many plates and cups do I need for a picnic?: Pack one plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per guest, plus 10% spare. For 20 guests, take 22 of each reusable item.
When should I buy and chill food for a river picnic?: Buy fresh food no more than 1–2 days before the picnic and chill drinks the night before. Pack salads, fruit and other perishable food in coolers immediately before departure.

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