10 Summertime Picnic Tips

No matter how well you plan for summertime picnic fun, there always seems to be something you wish you would have done differently. Here are 10 summertime picnic tips to help you plan for your next summertime picnic event.

1. Light up the grill. It's summertime! Get out of the kitchen! Take your summertime picnic outdoors, and that includes the cooking. There are many ways to cook outdoors--with a grill or over a campfire. You can grill in your backyard, the city park, or at a nice spot by the river.

2. Think light food. Summertime is the time for light food, such as chips and salsa, watermelon, lemonade, ice cream sundaes, salads, and grilled entrées. Leave the heavy cooking for winter, and go for a lighter cuisine.

3. Take it on the road. Who says you have to have your summertime picnic at home or the park? Check out the local attractions. Make your picnic mobile, and enjoy an adventure along the way.

4. Go potluck. Avoid the stress and expense of being in charge of all the food for your summertime picnic. Make it potluck. Let your guests bring a dish to share. The variety of what you find at a potluck is always enjoyable. And when you can, buy foods and paper goods in bulk for savings.

5. Remember the ice. Plan for lots of ice. Hot days require ice. If you fail to plan for it, your summertime picnic will be a memorable one--and not for the right reasons. Your guests need iced-beverages to keep cool on hot summer days. Plus, you may need to keep foods on ice that need to be served cold.

6. Remember food safety. Always remember food safety. Hot foods must stay hot and cold foods must stay cold. It takes less than a few hours for improperly handled foods to become a health concern. You certainly don't want your summertime picnic to be the cause of food-related illness.

7. Keep decorations simple. It's a summertime picnic; let the beauty of nature and your surroundings be your decorations. Go simple. If it's a patriotic summertime picnic, the flag is your best decoration. Think paper goods, plastic utensils, and vinyl tablecloths. Balloons are easy, and some festive music helps set the mood.

8. Think activities and sports. Water sports and summertime picnics go together. Plan for water guns, a water balloon fight, tug-of-war, horseshoes, tag, hide and seek, playing cards, or board games. Activities give your guests something to do in addition to picnicking.

9. Secure the shade. Remember the shade. You can't expect your guests to sit in the hot sun for the duration of a summertime picnic. You need to have shade--whether it's from an umbrella or under a tree. Plan on positioning your picnic in a covered area in case of rain, and keep your cold foods and condiments out of the hot sun.

10. Remember personal conveniences. Your guests are going to need some personal conveniences, and they may not remember to bring them to the picnic on their own. Have plenty of sunscreen, wet-wipes, hand-sanitizers, and bug repellent available. It could mean the difference between guests enjoying themselves or leaving early.

With these 10 summertime picnic tips, you should be well on your way to hosting some great summertime picnic events.