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When the sun is shining and the weather’s nice, there’s no better way to spend a day near the shore than with a beach picnic among loved ones. Whether heading to the coast with family, friends, or someone special, these ten ideas will help you create the perfect beach picnic experience.
From keeping your food cool to ensuring you have enough shade, we’ve got you covered.
1. Bring a Large Blanket or Tablecloth
The foundation of a perfect beach picnic is a comfortable and spacious blanket or tablecloth. You need a large, clean, and sand-free zone to set up all your gear and delicious food and drink.
To accomplish this, opt for an oversized, waterproof blanket that can accommodate everyone. This will provide a clean and cozy spot to sit and lay out your picnic spread. A tablecloth with weighted corners can also be a great addition to keep everything in place, even on windy days.
Don’t have time to upgrade your beach blanket? Don’t worry. Bring a few zip-top bags to fill with sand and create your own sandbags, or simply place your heavier items on the corners to keep things neat and out of the way.
Pro Tip: Bring a few extra towels or cushions for added comfort – and to ensure you have backups in case of spills or spontaneous dips in the water.
2. Pick the Perfect Recipes
Choosing the best recipes for your beach picnic is crucial. Go for easy-to-eat, portable, and non-perishable foods. Sandwiches and wraps are great because they don’t require utensils and keep everything neat and tidy. Stop at the local sub shop on your way to the beach; everyone can customize their sandwich.
Other ideas that are always a hit at the beach include fresh fruit, chips and dip, and cheese and meat boards. The best food picks will always be whatever your crowd prefers, so ask the group for recommendations before grocery shopping and packing the cooler.
Remember to bring drinks. Consider preparing some refreshing drinks like lemonade or iced tea in a pitcher along with disposable cups. Or, stick with canned drinks that come pre-portioned for ease. Staying hydrated is crucial when you’re spending hours under the sun.
This is especially important if alcoholic drinks such as wine or cocktails are part of your picnic meal to prevent dehydration. Bring plenty of water, including extra bottles for rinsing off sand or cleaning sticky hands. Consider packing a reusable water bottle for each person to reduce waste. Want to make your water extra refreshing? Infusing your water with fruits like lemon or cucumber can add a twist.
For a sweet treat, pack some cookies or brownies. Remember to pack everything in sealable containers to keep the sand out and the freshness in.
3. Keep Everything Cool
Keeping your food and drinks cool is essential for a successful beach picnic. There’s nothing worse than a warm fruit salad or a sandwich with cheese that’s melting from the sun. A solution like the EcoFlow Glacier Portable Refrigerator will do the trick. Want to ensure you’ll always retain that first-packed freshness? Pair your portable fridge with an EcoFlow Portable Power Station for extended power on long beach days.
Pack all perishable items in the cooler, such as salads, deli meats, and dairy products. Freeze your drinks the night before to keep them extra cold. This will also help keep the rest of the cooler cold throughout the day without needing extra bulk from ice.
4. Bring Backup Power
Back-up power is a must, especially if you bring essential devices and electronics like phones, portable speakers, and portable refrigerators. A portable power station from the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Series, such as the EcoFlow RIVER 2, can keep your phone, speaker, and other beach day devices powered up so you can capture all the fun moments, play your favorite tunes, and stay connected.
Portable power stations offer long-lasting battery life, durable construction, and multiple charging ports, making them a new must-have addition for modern beach camping trips and picnic dates.
5. Keep the Sand Away
Sand can be a nuisance during a beach picnic. To keep sand at bay, bring a small brush, handheld vacuum, or small bucket to serve as a cleaning station to keep your belongings clean. If you choose the bucket route, simply fill it with saltwater once you arrive at the beach. Place it next to your large picnic blanket, and ask guests to dip their feet before joining to keep sand away from you and your food.
Lay out a separate blanket for sandy items like beach toys and shoes. Additionally, consider using ziplock bags to store your electronic devices and other small items to prevent sand from getting into them.
6. Don’t Forget Shade
While soaking up the sun is part of the beach experience, it’s essential to have some shade to retreat to. Pack a beach umbrella, pop-up tent, or canopy to provide a shaded area. This will help you stay cool and protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Some beaches even offer cabanas or umbrellas you can rent for the day. A portable beach tent can offer even more comfort and protection if you plan to stay all day.
Portability is critical here because the direction of the sun’s rays will change throughout the day. Adjust your shade to follow you as the sun’s position moves so you don’t lose that sun protection.
7. Prep In Advance
Preparation is vital to a stress-free beach picnic. Cut fruits, make sandwiches, and pack snacks the night before. Buy a beach parking pass in advance so you’re not waiting in line in the morning. Think of other little things you can do to make your beach day more enjoyable. This will save you time on the picnic day and ensure everything is ready.
Pre-chill your drinks and pack them just before leaving to keep them cold for longer. Also, create a checklist to avoid forgetting any essentials.
8. Remember Hand Wipes or Napkins
Consider ways to keep your hands clean when handling food. Pack plenty of hand wipes, napkins, and even a small bottle of hand sanitizer. These will be handy for cleaning up spills, wiping hands, and maintaining hygiene. Consider bringing a small trash bag to collect waste and tidy your picnic area.
9. Don’t Feed the Seagulls
Feeding seagulls might seem fun, but it can quickly become an annoyance. Feeding just one seagull can soon lead to a whole flock invading your space and interrupting your picnic date. Seagulls can become aggressive and disruptive, stealing food and creating a mess. Feeding them human food can also put their health at risk.
To avoid this, keep your food covered and dispose of scraps properly. If seagulls start to gather, remain calm, shoo them away, and avoid feeding them.
10. Pack In, Pack Out
One of the most important rules of outdoor picnicking is to leave no trace. Don’t let any trash blow away into the sand or the water. Pack out everything you bring in, including trash, food scraps, and recyclables.
If public trash cans are nearby, stop on your way out to dump any garbage. Bring a few extra bags for waste, and ensure you leave the beach as clean as you found it. You want to protect the environment and keep the beach enjoyable for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
When planning your beach picnic menu, choose easy-to-eat, portable foods that won’t spoil quickly. Sandwiches and wraps are great options. Fresh fruits and snacks like chips are also easy to eat and pack. Cookies and brownies make excellent self-contained sweet treats. Pack everything in sealable containers to keep sand out and the freshness in.
Final Thoughts
Planning a beach picnic can be a fun and rewarding experience as long as you have the right preparation. Set yourself up for success by bringing a large blanket, picking the perfect recipes, keeping everything cool, and having backup power. Other little tricks can help keep the sand away, provide shade, and make the picnic more enjoyable.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a perfect beach picnic. Want to enhance your beach picnic experience? Invest in EcoFlow’s portable power stations, which offer reliable backup power to keep your devices charged and your picnic running smoothly.