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Rainy days can dampen plans for outdoor activities, but instead of sitting around with the rainy-day blues, use it as an opportunity to host a unique indoor picnic. With some creativity, you can turn your living room into a tropical getaway, a whimsical fairy-tale setting, or even a cosy indoor campsite.
Whether planning a romantic date, entertaining the kids, or simply shaking up your routine, these indoor picnic themes will inspire fun and connection, no matter the weather.
Travel Destinations
Take yourself away from the rain and pretend you are in Hawaii, Bali, Mexico, Paris, Rome, or anywhere else you have always wanted to go. Research different things online to inspire you, like floral leis, bamboo, sombreros, or mini Eiffel Towers.
Dress appropriately for the event and prepare a popular meal from your destination.
Time Travel Themes
Or, if you want to escape your present time, pretend you are in a different era, from medieval times to Jazz Age festivities or futuristic space travel scenes. Dress up for the occasion and add appropriate music, props, and menu items to match your theme.
Children’s Themes
If you are picnicking with kids, let them pick their favourite book or movie and decorate your living room with its themes. Then everyone can dress up and even pretend they are one of the characters for hours of lasting fun!
Indoor Campout
This is another great one for kids or adults who love to camp but are disappointed by the rainy weather. Have an indoor campout instead! Set up a small tent indoors or a blanket fort, and you can either set out a picnic blanket or use camping chairs. Bring out the sleeping bags and hot chocolate, and get cosy if it’s a chilly winter day.
You can even create a pretend firepit with pieces of wood and decorate it with orange paper “flames.” While you might be unable to roast marshmallows indoors, try oven-baked S’mores instead.
Fairy-Lights
This is a simple idea: set up Christmas lights around the room. Then, turn off the ceiling lights and sit on a picnic blanket. On dark, rainy days, the lights will look magical. Top it off with mugs of hot chocolate and a picnic basket filled with finger food. If you want a romantic picnic, add some champagne and romantic music.
How To Throw an Indoor Picnic
1. Pick a Theme
Choose one of the themes above, or pick your own!
2. Make Custom Invitations
Invite your guests using custom invitations that reflect your chosen theme. For instance, for travel destinations, make invitations look like aeroplane tickets. For children’s themes, decorate them with pictures of their favourite characters.
Be sure to include what attire or costume they should wear!
3. Choose a Spot and Decorate It
Next, choose a spot and decorate it. Be sure to consider the lighting in the room. You may want fairy lights for romance or bright lights for a beach vacation, while a cosy campout should be darker with lanterns for lighting. You can drape sheets or blankets over the windows and from the ceiling to darken things if necessary.
Then, decorate with as many accessories as possible to fit your theme. Use as much camping gear as you can for camping themes, and for time travel themes, find props, trinkets, posters, or artwork that reflects the era.
Next, set your ‘table’ using a picnic blanket or other suitable prop. Set a centrepiece with tropical flowers, a “campfire,” or medieval-looking candelabras. Try to find themed plates, utensils, and napkins.
Finally, choose music from Hawaii or Bali or background noise like crashing waves or a crackling campfire that fits your theme.
Find comfy pillows, blankets, or camping chairs so everyone can stay comfortable. You can use a table and chairs for people with mobility issues, but decorate the chairs with props to suit your theme.
4. Plan Activities
Plan some activities to go with your picnic. You can act out the characters in your book for children’s themes. For campfire themes, tell campfire stories over hot chocolate. For travel themes, why not dance to the “local” music?
Other activities include board games, cards, suitable movies, or arts and crafts inspired by your theme. You can also just sit and talk about what you will do when you go to that destination, on your next camping trip, or if you could travel back or forward in time.
Be sure to have a home generator like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro so that if the power goes out, you can still have lights and music and run your kitchen appliances. For instance, the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max Solar Generator (PV400W) has a 2kWh capacity and can be recharged with your 400W solar panel for clean, free energy.
The built-in battery gives you energy even when the sun isn’t shining. This is also a great way to save money on electricity by avoiding those peak electricity hours. You can even expand your capacity and go off-grid altogether.
And, if it’s hot inside, use your EcoFlow WAVE 2 Portable AC to cool off. It lasts up to 8 hours wirelessly on a charge and will cool a room quickly. It’s compact and portable, requires no installation and can be used indoors or out.
5. Plan the Menu
Choosing the right picnic food is essential for your indoor picnic. Be sure to consider appetisers like bruschetta bites, cut vegetables and dip, or fruits. For your main dish, pick something theme-related, like a DIY taco bar for a Mexican vacation or medieval fare for a time travel meal. Then, choose an appropriate dessert from cookies or cakes decorated with children’s characters to fruit with chocolate fondu.
Finally, select appropriate beverages for your meal, from lemonade to fruit teas, DIY milkshakes, exotic punches, or Parisian wines; the choices are endless.
If you experience frequent power outages, you can use an EcoFlow GLACIER Portable Refrigerator to keep your food at food-safe temperatures. It has a separate fridge, freezer compartment, and icemaker, so you can enjoy cool, refreshing drinks anytime and anywhere. It’s also perfect for your next outdoor adventure!
6. Stay Safe, and Have Fun!
Safety always comes first. If you use candles, ensure they are sturdy or out of the way so no one can knock them over. Also, cover the floor surface with blankets or tablecloths so when spills happen, they don’t have to spoil the fun. For small kids, choose beverage containers with lids and use plastic or melamine plates instead of fine dishes.
Finally, have fun! Make the most of your event, really get into your theme, and let your imagination go wild while you enjoy a delicious meal and the company of your loved ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose a theme and foods and beverages that fit. For instance, if you want a Mexican vacation, make tacos or burritos and margaritas. If you want a kids’ fairytale theme, choose easy finger foods and desserts decorated in colours that match their favourite characters.
Final Thoughts
Rainy days don’t have to be dull and dreary. Transform your home into a vibrant, themed space with indoor picnic ideas. From immersive travel-inspired settings to magical fairy-light displays, the possibilities are endless. The right tools make it even better.
If the power goes out, keep your lights and music on with the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Portable Power Station. Enjoy the magic of picnicking, rain or shine, and create memories that last a lifetime.