Clear Lists
Get the app →
Picnic Packing List
What to pack for a picnic, from sunscreen to a trash bag, and how to keep the food cold.
A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.
Tick the circles, tap any line to change it, drag the dots to reorder.
Saved in this browser. Send it to Clear to keep it on your phone.
A common packing mistake is burying the sunscreen under the lunch. Sun protection tends to become an afterthought once everyone is settled, so keep it near the top of the bag. The other timing that matters is food: cold items stay at 40°F (4.4°C) or below, and perishables shouldn't sit out more than two hours, or one hour above 90°F, says the USDA. This list assumes a short outing near the car, with a cooler. It leaves out fishing gear and grill kit.
Why these items are on the list
- Sunscreen, kept on top. Reapply about every two hours, and after swimming or sweating, says the American Academy of Dermatology.
- Lip balm, SPF 30 or higher. Lips are exposed skin. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends SPF 30 or higher.
- Hat and sunglasses. Sunscreen alone isn't the plan. These add cover, and shade adds more.
- Bug spray. Pack it in the small pouch with sunscreen, medications and first-aid supplies.
- Small first-aid kit. Basic supplies live in the personal-care pouch, not under the food.
- Drinking water. Access to drinking water at your spot affects how much you bring. Check before you go.
- Insulated cooler. Start with chilled food. Room-temperature items make the cooler work too hard.
- Ice packs or frozen bottles. Block ice generally lasts longer than cubes, according to the USDA.
- Second cooler for drinks. On longer outings, a drinks cooler gets opened often. Food in a second cooler can stay closed longer.
- Raw meat, if grilling, wrapped separately. Only if cooking: wrap separately. Sometimes Homemade says pack it beneath ready-to-eat food, so leaking juices can't contaminate.
- Sandwiches, wraps and whole fruit. Already portioned means less prep and cleanup at the spot.
- Washed, cut vegetables. Wash them before prepping. Chop at home, not on the blanket.
- Snacks in individual containers. With kids along, individual containers mean everyone gets exactly the same portion size.
- Sauces in small containers. Skip the full-size bottles. They add weight and bulk to the carry.
- Snacks that survive sun. Without constant ice access, St. Peter Co-op suggests avoiding foods that spoil in sun, like mayonnaise and dairy.
- Picnic blanket. The ground varies by spot. Consider the type of ground you'll be sitting on.
- Compact seating. Regular chairs eat space. If it's a walk from the car, go compact.
- Plates, cutlery, cloth napkins. Real dishes from the kitchen work, or try compostable plates and utensils.
- Bottle opener, within reach. Packed wherever there was room, it can mean emptying the entire trunk to find it.
- Hand sanitizer. Useful if there's no water nearby for washing. Scout the spot before you go.
- Wipes and water bottles within reach. Frequently used items go somewhere you can reach without unpacking.
- Trash bag. One dedicated bag keeps scraps from spreading through the others on the way home.
- Bag for wet or dirty items. Zippered bags hold damp towels and muddy utensils away from everything else.
- Reusable containers. Fewer wrappers blowing around the picnic area.
- Book and a pillow. St. Peter Co-op lists both; the pillow is for a quick post-lunch nap.
Tick items into the bag at home, before you leave, so gaps show up while you can still fix them. Share it with whoever's packing the other half.
When to use it
Use it when packing for a park outing where the food has to stay cold.