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Your complete picnic checklist: organise the perfect outdoor picnic

Use this easy picnic checklist, fresh ideas and Fiestukis tools to plan a relaxed outdoor gathering together.

Step-by-step guide to organising a picnic

  1. Define the picnic basics and create your event — Decide what type of picnic you want: romantic, family, friends, birthday, or a casual outdoor meet-up. Choose date, time and location (park, beach, countryside) and think about how many people you want to invite. Then create the event in Fiestukis, add these details and share the link so everyone has the same information from the start.
  2. Build your picnic checklist — Make a clear checklist of everything you'll need: food, drinks, blankets, plates, cutlery, napkins, rubbish bags, sunscreen and games. In Fiestukis, turn this into a "bring something" list so guests can sign up for specific items and avoid duplicates. Separate the list into categories (snacks, mains, drinks, extras) to keep it super easy to follow.
  3. Plan the picnic menu and drinks — Opt for food that travels well and can be eaten without much fuss: sandwiches, wraps, pasta or rice salads, fruit, crisps, hummus, cheeses and small sweets. For drinks, think water, soft drinks, juices and maybe wine or beer if the area allows it. Use Fiestukis to assign who brings what so you end up with a balanced menu and enough drinks for everyone.
  4. Organise comfort, shade and layout — Check if your chosen spot has shade, benches or tables; if not, add blankets, folding chairs, parasols and a portable table to your picnic checklist. Plan how you'll set up the space: one area for food, one for sitting and a free zone for games. In Fiestukis, assign mats, cushions and shade items to guests who have more space in their car or backpack.
  5. Prepare entertainment and original picnic ideas — Think of simple outdoor activities: frisbee, ball games, cards, a Bluetooth speaker with a shared playlist, or a photo challenge. For a more original picnic, you can add a theme (all-white outfits, vintage, Mediterranean), a tasting (cheese, wines, desserts) or a small treasure hunt for kids. Add these ideas and the necessary materials to your Fiestukis list so everyone knows what to expect and what to bring.
  6. Check logistics, weather and sustainability — A couple of days before, confirm the weather forecast and, if needed, agree on a plan B or a new time via the Fiestukis event chat. Make sure someone brings a first-aid kit, hand wipes or gel, and enough rubbish bags to leave the place spotless. On the day, use your picnic checklist as a final reference so nothing is forgotten and you can simply relax and enjoy.

Complete guide to picnics and outdoor planning

A good picnic checklist covers four areas: food, drinks, comfort and extras.

  • Food: sandwiches, salads, snacks, fruit, something sweet.
  • Drinks: water, soft drinks, juice, maybe wine or beer if allowed.
  • Comfort: blanket, cushions, napkins, plates, cups, cutlery, wet wipes.
  • Extras: rubbish bags, sunscreen, insect repellent, games, speaker.

In Fiestukis you can turn this into a shared checklist so each guest chooses what to bring and nothing is forgotten.

To keep costs low, choose simple homemade dishes like pasta salad, tortilla, sandwiches and seasonal fruit. Buy drinks in larger bottles instead of individual cans and share the cost between guests.

With Fiestukis, you can distribute the menu and materials so everyone contributes something small instead of one person paying for everything. You'll see at a glance if there's too much of one thing and can adjust before the day.

You can give your picnic a twist with a simple theme or activity. For example:

  • Colour theme: everyone wears one colour and brings food in that tone.
  • Tasting picnic: each person brings a cheese, dessert or drink to discover.
  • Games picnic: organise a mini tournament of cards, petanque or frisbee.
  • Sunset picnic: meet later, bring fairy lights or candles in jars and soft music.

Add these ideas and who brings what into your Fiestukis event so the theme is clear and coordinated.

Look for a spot that is easy for everyone to reach, with some shade and, if possible, toilets nearby. Check if the park or beach allows picnics, glass bottles or barbecues, and whether you need to book a table.

In the Fiestukis event description you can add a map link, meeting point and parking tips so no one gets lost. If the place is large, share a photo or reference point to make it even clearer.

Always have a simple plan B: another date, a nearby covered area or moving the picnic indoors at someone's home. Check the forecast the day before and decide early so guests can adapt.

With Fiestukis you can quickly update the event details and send a message to everyone at once. You can also adjust the picnic checklist (for example, removing items like parasols and adding board games for indoors).

Bring a large blanket, cushions and maybe some folding chairs so everyone can sit comfortably. For safety, include sunscreen, hats, water, a small first-aid kit and insect repellent on your checklist.

Think of kid-friendly food (no small hard items for very young children) and choose a spot away from traffic or water if there are many little ones. Use Fiestukis to assign who brings safety items so they don't get forgotten.

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