What to Bring to a Summer Picnic

A summer picnic needs more than sandwiches and a blanket. Plan food and drinks around your final guest count, then add servingware, shade, seating, and supplies for keeping everything cool and clean. Chilled drinks, ice, reusable plates, cups, cutlery, serving utensils, and buffet equipment are easy to overlook until setup begins. This shopping list also covers practical extras such as coolers, thermos flasks, extension cords, and washing-up tubs.

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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 50
Picnic blanketsqty 10
Buffet tablesqty 3

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable cupsqty 100
Reusable cutleryqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 50
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving boardsqty 6

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Buntingqty 6
Balloonsqty 50
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Name badgesqty 60
Table décorqty 12

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Portable speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 2

Cleaning

Washing-up tubsqty 3
Cleaning bucketsqty 2
Cleaning clothsqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lanternsqty 8

Sports equipment

Frisbeesqty 4
Kubb gamesqty 2
Badminton setsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Mini wraps - 60 pieces
- Rye bread - 3 packs
- Butter - 500 grams
- Cream cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Brie - 1.5 kilos
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 1.5 kilos
- Smoked salmon - 1 kilo
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Baby potatoes - 5 kilo
- Mixed salad - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 15 pieces
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Celery - 1 kilo
- Avocados - 15 pieces
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Strawberries - 3 kilos
- Blueberries - 1 kilo
- Feta - 1 kilo
- Mozzarella - 1 kilo
- Pine nuts - 300 grams
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Balsamic vinegar - 500 milliliters
- Mayonnaise - 1 liter
- Ketchup - 1 liter
- Mustard - 500 milliliter
- Pesto Sauce - 750 grams
- Salt - 500 grams
- Black pepper - 200 grams
- Italian herbs - 100 grams
- Paprika powder - 100 grams
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 2 kilos
- Olives - 1.5 kilo
- Crackers - 8 packs
- Brownies - 60
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Lemonade - 10 liters
- sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Ice cubes - 15 kilos
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Storage containers - 30 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Buy extra ice and chill the drinks before loading the coolers.
Match reusable plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery to the final guest list, then add at least 10% extra. Include coffee cups separately if coffee or tea will be served.
Pack one serving spoon or pair of tongs for every shared dish, plus enough serving platters, boards, and table space for the full buffet. Cutting boards and chef’s knives are often forgotten when fruit and vegetables still need preparing on site.
Check the forecast and arrange shade before the day. Party tents, picnic blankets, folding chairs, and tables should be ready before food arrives, not after guests start looking for somewhere to sit.
Bring cleaning supplies for the whole event: washing-up tubs, cleaning buckets, cloths, and rubbish bags. Keep extension cords and power strips with the portable speakers, and test the setup before guests arrive.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a summer picnic?: For drinks, plan two to three per person in the first hour and one per person for each hour after that. For food, allow about 500–700 g per adult when the picnic is the main meal, including salads, bread, toppings, and dessert.
How many plates, cups, and cutlery do I need for a picnic?: Buy or pack one complete set per guest, plus 10% extra. For 30 guests, that means at least 33 reusable plates, bowls, cups, and sets of cutlery; coffee cups should be counted separately.
How much ice do I need for a summer picnic?: Allow around 1 kg of ice per 4–5 guests when drinks are already chilled, and more in hot weather. For 30 guests, start with 6–8 kg and keep extra ice available for topping up the coolers.
When should I buy and prepare food for a summer picnic?: Buy fresh fruit, vegetables, salads, and chilled drinks one day before the picnic where possible. Chill drinks overnight, prepare salads several hours ahead, and keep perishable food cold until it is placed on the buffet.

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