How to Pack Picnic Baskets for a Backyard Picnic

Pack cold and hot foods in separate containers.

Nothing captures the simple joy of eating outdoors like a picnic. Even if the destination is no farther than your own backyard, pack your baskets with care and attention to detail so the picnic spell isn’t broken by repeated trips back to the kitchen. If your guests are sophisticated adults or squirmy 6 year olds, follow some basic rules for packing picnic baskets: do the cutting in the kitchen – and while you’re at it, cut the food down to size so it can be eaten out of hand.

Things You'll Need

• Picnic baskets
• Dinnerware
• Napkins
• Cutlery
• Picnic blanket
• Picnic food

Instructions

1. Fill a basket or tote with supplies for your picnic. Choose lightweight plastic plates and tumblers. Wrap cutlery in cloth napkins. Cushion salt and pepper and serving utensils in a tea towel and add to the bag. Tuck in a couple of neatly folded shopping bags to stuff the dirty dishes into for walk back to the house. Top the basket with a folded picnic blanket – preferably one with moisture-resistant backing.

2. Prepare the food and drink for your picnic baskets. Choose foods that can take a trip -- no matter how short -- without wilting or being crushed. Start sandwiches with sturdy baguettes instead of soft bread; consider hand sized main dish tarts made in muffin tins. Avoid leafy lettuce salads that are difficult to eat and may wilt in favor of chunky diced vegetables salads. Cut cheese and roll up meat for easy eating. Add sturdy nuts and crackers rather than crushable chips to the menu.

3. Load cold foods into an insulated cooler or basket. Line the bottom with frozen water bottles and top with plastic containers filled with chopped salad and meat and cheese or drink containers. Top with a cutting board, small tray or study piece of cardboard to make a level platform for the next layer of food and a picnic "table" for your beverages. Pack sandwiches and other crushable food on top.

4. Pack your last basket or tote with room temperature foods like crackers and little cups or sealed bags of mixed nuts and dried fruit -- treats that are healthy and less likely to crumble than chips. Pack a box of easy to eat homemade cookies or baked fruit bars for dessert.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have enough picnic baskets, pack one full of sidewalk chalk, bubbles, jumpropes, and other outdoor toys to entertain adults and children.

• Do not leave hot or cold food out longer than two hours without proper refrigeration. Leaving food out too long can lead to spoilage and food poisoning.

References

• Star-Ledger; Backyard Picnic Means Going Out to Eat at Home; Kimberly L. Jackson
• Martha Stewart: Plan a Picnic in Your Backyard