What to Bring on a Picnic Date in 2023 (A Complete Guide)

Not sure what to bring on a picnic date? Whether it’s your first date, Valentine’s Day, or your anniversary, going on a picnic date is a fabulous way to surprise your loved one. 

Nothing says fun, charm, relaxation, and a touch of old-world romance than taking out your date to a picnic!

Organizing a picnic can be difficult, but if you plan ahead and follow our picnic checklist, then you’ll see it’s actually pretty easy.

A picnic date is all about romance and bonding time with your partner.

So you’ll have to sprinkle the picnic with some romantic vibes and bring strawberries, chocolate, champagne, flowers, heart-shaped cookies, and relaxing music.

We’ve put together a quick list with all the items you need to pack for a romantic picnic in two.

In a Hurry? Here are our favorite picnic items.

What to Bring to a Picnic Date (Essentials)

1. Something to carry your picnic goodies

A Picnic Basket Set

Picadilly Picnic Time for Two at Amazon

A Romantic Wicker Basket

Heart-Shaped Wicker Basket at Amazon

Or a Practical Backpack Set for Two

Sunflora Picnic Backpack at Amazon

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2. Something comfortable to sit on

A Comfy Blanket

Portable Waterproof Blanket at Amazon

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3. Something to keep your drinks cold

An insulated wine carrier

Corsica Picnic Time Wicket Wine Basket at Amazon

The best cooler in the world

Yeti Cooler at YETI

Reusable Ice Packs

Fit & Fresh Slim Ice Packs at Amazon

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4. Wine and Cheese Essentials

Cheese Board and Knife Set

Portable Cheese Board at Amazon

Unbreakable Wine Glasses

Stainless Steel Gusto at Amazon

Wine Table

Tirrinia Outdoor Wine Table at Amazon

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5. Romantic picnic games for two

A flirty game

Talk, Flirt, Dare Game at Amazon

Conversation starter game

Talk, Flirt, Dare Game at Amazon

Romantic Picnic Date Ideas

What to know before going to a picnic:

• For your romantic date, choose an insulated romantic picnic basket for two (link to our review article) or backpack to keep the food/drinks cold.
• Don’t forget the corkscrew/bottle opener.
• Choose a theme (eg. boho style, french picnic)
• Make sure the blanket is large enough to fit two persons.
• Bring napkins and hand sanitizer
• Don’t forget trash bags and zip lock bags to put the dirty dishes.
• Bring some romantic picnic games (conversation starters, flirt games)
• Choose a romantic secluded location in the park, by the lake or on the beach.

1. Choose a Secluded Location

The set-up is the “first impression” of how your date night will go!

You can make it a laid-back event with a picnic blanket, a great view, and to-go orders, or you can go all out to make it a fairy-tale scene.

2. Decorate with Pretty Flowers

Some beautiful additions to any picnic are flowers and lights.

You can string up battery operated lights or chinese lanterns and attach them to trees or the inside of a tent or canopy.

Grouping flowers around the edge of your space can make your space beautiful and can also be a diversion tactic to keep bees and insects busy at the outskirts instead of your table.

3. Don’t forget the comfy blanket

For a relaxing date night, comfort is key.

A waterproof picnic blanket for ground cover will keep dew from seeping in. You can use low-sling chairs that are portable and comfy or have floor pillows at a low table.

Even summer nights can become chilly, so remembering to bring some throw blankets will be a great touch!

4. Bring All The Practical Things

Sometimes the most practical things show how much you know and care about your date.

Simple things like what scents he or she likes, their favorite colors, …even bug repellent, sunscreen, and hand wipes can show that you are thinking of the other’s tastes and comfort!

What to Wear to a Picnic Date

Wear something that you will feel comfortable in while sitting on or near the ground. Usually looser clothing will allow you to feel cooler and more relaxed.

Maxi-dresses, sundresses, or shorts with a peasant top can be a great choice; shorts and a comfortable top. A hat is always a fun statement and can also be useful in providing shade.

Outfit Game Idea: Choose Your Partner’s Dress

Before your picnic date, you can go shopping together at your favorite place to choose each other’s perfect picnic outfits!

You can base it on the criteria of:

• Loose-fitting
• Natural Fibers
• A color scheme
• A theme or style (Hippie, Boho, 1980’s, French, Western etc.)
• A monetary limit
• Or any criteria you like!

Then each pick out the other’s outfit and start your picnic off with a bit of shared fun! This can make a great photo op and memory to look back on.

Picnic Date Food Ideas: Set the Menu

You can bring out your gourmet skills and make a few handmade dishes that will impress your date.

You want to choose foods that are substantial enough to not leave you hungry but are also easy to pack and eat outdoors.

Knowing what foods your date enjoys can be a good starting place for what to bring. 

Here are some of our favorite picnic choices:

• finger foods
• sandwiches
• fruits
• quiches
• wine
• charcuterie boards

Or you can choose to make a meal together at your picnic site.

Our Favorite Picnic Recipes

Here is our latest article covering the best picnic foods you can bring to your romantic date – we picked easy recipes that are delicious and perfect to serve in two.

Read here:

Serving a chilled beverage such as sangria, lemonade, or iced coffee can be a refreshing choice to pair with your meal.

A romantic picnic basket adds a bit of romance from the start and can help you keep foods fresh, chilled, and out of the temperature danger zone!

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What to Do: Picnic Date Activities

So now that you have your set-up, have chosen your outfit and food… What should you do on a picnic date? 

While you may find that you just want to spend time getting to know each other better, it is always a great idea to have something planned to fall back on! 

An activity can break the ice and start new conversations. You may learn something about your partner you didn’t know before!

1. Wine-tasting (Great for a Valentine’s Day Picnic)

A wine-tasting station can be a unique activity for a romantic picnic for two. A local wine shop can give you input on which wines would make the best “wine flight.”

There are also wine-tasting placemats you can use to write down your thoughts about each wine and compare notes with your date.

If you don’t already know your date’s preferences in wine, you may find out after this picnic!

2. Play Romantic Picnic Date Games

For ways to start conversations and learn more about your partner you can choose a game such as:

• Pick Your Poison 
• Our Moments
• Talk Flirt Dare 

Whether it’s your first date or a wedding anniversary you can always learn something new about your partner by asking questions and listening to each other. 

Games can be a fun format to draw closer together and add some spice to your relationship.

3. Read Poems

You can make it a night of the arts by each choosing a favorite poem or short story to read out-loud together. This can be a nice way to unwind and spark natural conversations… and also see your date’s taste in literature!

4. Watch a Movie | Set up an Outdoor Theater

Set up an outdoor theater with a portable projector using a sheet or a tent wall for a relaxing finish to your picnic! You can choose a classic movie that has a picnic theme such as:

• To Catch a Thief (1954)
• The Sound of Music (1965)
• Days and Nights in the Forest (1969)
• Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)
• Emma (1996)
• Call me by Your Name (LGBTQ+ friendly)

Or, you can choose a new movie or a mutual favorite.

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Picnic Date Checklist

1. The Essentials

Picnic Basket or Backpack 

• Choose an insulated option to keep the food/drinks fresh and chilled.
• For easy planning choose one that already comes with service for two: plates, glasses, forks, knives, spoons, chopping boards, napkins.

Reusable Ice Packs

• Perfect for keeping your food and beverages cold.
• Great to use if you don’t have a cooler or an insulated basket. 

Picnic Blanket

• Choose one large enough to fit two persons.
• Pick a blanket with waterproof backing, in case the ground is wet.

Food Storage Containers

• They’ll help you organize your food better, keeping it separated.
• Choose leak-proof containers.

Tiny First Aid Kit

• Always good to be prepared. 

Bug Spray

• Ants, bugs and mosquitoes can ruin your romantic date, make sure to grab a bug repellent to keep them away.

Sunscreen

• Protect your skin from the harsh sun.

2. Tableware

Plates

• Bring sturdy plates, that won’t break easily. Hard plastic plates are a great choice for a worry-free picnic.
• Go fancy with ceramic plates, make sure to secure them well in a picnic basket or backpack.

Glasses

• Shatterproof glasses are the greatest option, again, high-quality plastic are great for picnicking outdoors.

Napkins

• Don’t forget the napkins, you’ll need them more than you expect.

Straws

• If you want something extra for your cocktails, take some straws to sip your favorite drinks.

Cutlery

• Knives, forks and spoons must not be forgotten
• Grab a sharp knife to cut the cheese and fruits well.

Cutting Board

• You need a flat sturdy surface where you can cut the food.
• It also can be used as a fancy serving board.

Corkscrew | Bottle Opener

• Avoid disasters by making sure you bring a corkscrew with you to open the wine, beer or champagne.

Salt and Pepper Shakers

3. Finger Foods

• Finger foods are great for outings and parties.
• They’re easy to grab and eat.
• Antipasto skewers, cherry tomatoes, crackers, olives, mini pizza squares, mini-sandwiches, pre-cut fruit, and veggies.

Veggies 

• Mini Bell Pepper, Cucumber, Celery Sticks, Carrots, Olives, Corn

Fruits

• Strawberries are a must for extra romance.
• Grapes, Blueberries, Pears, Apples, Bananas

Crunchy Snacks

• Chips, Crackers, Pretzels, Peanuts

Main Course

• Potato, Pasta, Chicken Salads
• Salami, Chorizo, Hot Dogs
  Wraps, Sandwiches, Rolls
• Quiche, Pizza, Burgers
• Lasagna, Pies

Cheese

• Make sure to choose a firm cheese: Cheddar, Aged Blue Cheese, Swiss Cheese, Feta
• Don’t go with soft cheeses. They become sticky in a hot day, and might be hard to eat.

Goes well with cheese:

• Nuts: Walnuts, Almonds, Cashew, Pecans, Pistachios
• Dried Fruits: Apricots, Dates, Cherries
• Seasonal Fruits: Figs, Grapes, Pear, Berries
• Jam: Blueberry, Cranberry, Fig, Apples

Dips, Sauces, and Dressings

• Mayo goes bad easily in a hot summer. Bring mayonnaise only if you can keep it cold, in an insulated compartment or near ice packs.
• Pesto is a great substitute for
  mayonnaise.
• Honey: goes well with cheese, or just eaten simply on a piece of bread
• Hummus
• Roasted Pepper Spread

Bread

• Baguette, Fresh Bagels, Wholegrain Bread, Buns, Sourdough, Buckwheat Gluten Free Bread

Bread Tip: don’t keep it closed in a plastic bag, cause it will go soggy. Use parchment paper instead.

4. Drinks

With Alcohol

• Wine, Champagne.
• Beer
• Red Sangria,
• Prosecco

Without Alcohol 

• Flavored Water
• Fresh Fruit Juice, Soda
• Tea, Frappes 

5. Classic Games

Card Games for Couples

• Tabletopics Couples
• Pick Your Poison: “What would you rather do?”

Classic Lawn Games

• Frisbee, ball, badminton
• Bocce Ball
• Ring Toss
• Cornhole

Books & Music

• Bring books to read to each other.
• Bring a bluetooth speaker to put some romantic music on.
• Play ukulele / guitar

6. Cleaning supplies

Trash Bags

• Get trash bags and make sure you don’t leave any waste behind, keep the environment safe.

Zip-Lock Bag for dirty utensils

• A secure leak-proof plastic bag will help you store all the dirty plates and cutlery.

Hand Sanitizers

PS: Read our newly-updated article that includes a free downloadable picnic planning checklist that helps you plan every type of picnic: for families, for corporate events, for parties etc.

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Final Thoughts

Picnics are a great way to get to know each other better without technology, deadlines, and the stress of the daily grind interfering. Just the simplicity of being out in nature with your date can allow you both to relax and enjoy time with each other.

Whether you choose to make a spontaneous picnic date, or you put a lot of thought into the set-up, the most important thing is to be yourself, relax, and have fun!

Many times the outdoor world can help us let go of the stresses of our everyday lives and allow us to enjoy the present moment with the ones we love most. We hope our ideas add a bit of sparkle to your next picnic date. Stay safe, and have fun!

Happy Picnicking!