Fresh air whets the appetite, and the most common products become several times more delicious. With the first warming of the city dwellers go to parks and forest parks, taking cameras, plaids, thermoses and lunch boxes with sandwiches. However, any picnic requires preliminary preparation. 

What things on a picnic can not do without?

So, how to avoid unnecessary cargo and take everything you need? You will need:

• Bedding. In cities for picnics, there are specially designated areas with gazebos and wooden tables. But if you want to relax and sit on the grass somewhere in the park, it's better to take a bedding.
• Utensils. If you plan to take a picnic light snack in the form of sandwiches, fruits and vegetables, you can do without plates. But if you will grill kebab or cook vegetables on the grill and you go a large company, it is advisable to prepare plates and cups. Usually you buy plastic sets, but we recommend organic biodegradable disposable dishes - it will save the environment.
• Brazier, charcoal and liquid for the fire - if you are determined to cook in nature.
• Skewers or grill - depending on how you want to cut meat or vegetables. What to take from food. It all depends on the format and duration of the picnic, we will tell you more about the menu further on.
• Thermal bag. A very useful thing on a picnic, because it allows you to maintain the temperature regime and freshness of products.
• Powerbank. Just in case, if you plan to lie on a blanket for a long time and from your phone to read a book, watch your favorite movies or take an online training course.
• A tent or tent with mosquito netting may be necessary for outdoor recreation from morning until night. Not only will they protect you from unforeseen weather conditions, but in them you can also take a break for an hour or two in the fresh air without “extra eyes”.  
• Bug spray. With the arrival of spring, mosquitoes, ticks and other insects wake up and can turn a peaceful picnic into torture. They are especially active in places of active recreation - forests and near water bodies. Be sure to treat your skin and clothes with spray beforehand.
• Standard first aid kit. It is enough to put in it bandages, plasters, peroxide, green or iodine, remedies for allergies, stomach upsets and headaches. A cold pack for bruises may also come in handy. Just in case, add antiseptic and absorbent cotton.
• Useful little things. These include wet and dry wipes, matches or a lighter, paper towels, garbage bags, toilet paper, an umbrella, spare socks and warm clothes if cold weather is expected.
• Water. You'll be thirsty and need more water in the heat, so throw a spare bottle of water in your backpack.
• Entertainment, games. In nature awakens not only appetite, but also the desire to actively run, especially if you are organizing a picnic with children. Take with you any active games that you like: badminton, Frisbee, volleyball, rackets with a ball, if the park has tables for playing ping-pong, board games, etc.

What is best to cook for a picnic

Picnic is a delicate matter, and the selection of the menu is always better to agree with all participants of the meal. Another thing, when you are sure that your cooking will be delicious and will please everyone.

Food for a picnic - what you can cook:

• Canapés. Combinations of ingredients are limited only by your imagination. For example, the union of croutons, cheese (hard or mozzarella or feta), bacon with any vegetables will be a win-win option. Pre-package them in a tupperware before transporting them.
• Sandwiches. It's best to make steamed ones, from special toaster bread. Stuffing - to your taste and discretion, but the centuries-tested combination of cheese + lettuce + bacon always turns out delicious.
• Barbeque steaks. Marinate in soy sauce and red pepper, you'll get sweet and juicy meat.
• If you don't want to bother with home cooking - order sushi, pizza or kebab with delivery directly to the park. 

For a day trip
Visiting a place for a vacation and leaving it during the day, you can safely take perishable products. For example raw meat, a piece of cake or pie, dairy products (milk, cottage cheese), juices and sweet sodas, boiled eggs, sausages, sandwiches, salads and ready meals.

For children 
When calculating a child's diet, reduce the weight of portions by 1.5-2 times. Try to avoid too fatty, heavy food, abundantly seasoned with spices. Remember and the love of kids to sweet, so grab either sweet galettes, or dried fruit and nuts. The necessary dishes for your child's daily meals are porridge, stews. 

What to take from the food for vegetarians
If you are a vegetarian and categorically against meat - to help, come vegetables. Quickly prepared and ready to eat even raw, they will give you a feeling of satiety and energy on a hike.  

In addition to vegetables, you can eat meatless kebabs with soy or cheese. Also, a great solution will be soup or porridge in a cauldron - the first and second dishes with smoke have an unusually pleasant flavor.

Also note that if you are going on a picnic in your car, it is worth to make a technical inspection, so that no problems on the way, and the picnic was fun and without worries.

A picnic in nature with friends or relatives is a great way to have fun, swim in the heat, if located near a body of water, and eat delicious food from the fire. But don't forget about safety rules and make a fire only in authorized places, using a barbeque or grill.