Fun Picnic Theme Ideas That Everyone Will Love

One of the most popular activities that people do once the weather gets warmer is going on a picnic, and a lot of individuals look forward to it since it’s a fun way to bond over delicious food. Generation Z, in particular, has developed a fondness for picnic dates as new data indicates that searches for “picnic date ideas” have increased by 385 percent over the past year on platforms like Pinterest. As a result, there has been a notable increase in companies offering luxury picnic experiences, as well as special products for avid picnic goers.

Booking a luxury picnic can be lots of fun. But if you want to have an elevated picnic experience without hurting your budget, there are things that you can do to make outside eating feel a little more unique and special. Here are some fun picnic theme ideas that everyone will love.

Fans of Netflix’s “Bridgerton” have fallen in love with the show as it depicts the Regency era in a sexy and playful way. If you and your friends love the series, why not have a Bridgerton-themed picnic on your next outing? Plan ahead and inform everyone about the theme at least three weeks before the picnic so everyone can prepare. Encourage your friends to come in Regency attire or a modified version of it, and have your picnic at a botanical garden. Don’t forget to bring your parasols and fans to keep cool!

As for the food, combine healthy and nutrient-rich food with indulgent eats to create the perfect balance for your picnic. Think elegant tea sandwiches filled with smoked salmon and some cream cheese, or classic egg sandwiches. Add a selection of cold cuts, cheeses, and fresh fruit, making sure that they’re prettily arranged on a gorgeous platter or a wooden board. As for your beverages, tea and sparkling water are always appropriate, but do serve them in proper tea cups or glasses– the Bridgertons and the Featheringtons would never drink from anything else. You may also serve champagne, but check the botanical garden’s rules first as they may have alcohol restrictions. End your meal with chocolate-dipped strawberries, cream-filled pastries, and macaroons.

The Japanese have been going on picnics for centuries, and having a picnic under a cherry blossom or sakura tree is a tradition that has been handed down through many generations. If you’re in Japan during sakura season, or if you know a place that has a blossoming cherry tree (or any other tree that has pink flowers), consider having a picnic there. For an authentic sakura picnic experience, get bento boxes for everyone and fill the compartments with onigiri or rice balls, sushi rolls, grilled tuna or salmon, and shrimp tempura. Add some pickled cucumbers or daikon radish to add a satisfying crunch to your meal. For dessert, have some matcha tea and mochi, as well as fresh fruits like nashi pears or mandarin oranges.

For a filling and satisfying picnic lunch, think about having a boodle picnic with your friends and loved ones. This is inspired by a Filipino military style of eating called a boodle fight, wherein soldiers would eat off banana leaves and use their hands for eating. Things can get loud and a bit chaotic after a few minutes, so this type of picnic is best done in your backyard or at a beach where cooking and eating is allowed.

To set up a boodle picnic, lay cleaned banana leaves on a long table, then place the food directly on top of the leaves. You can have grilled meats, fish, some cooked shrimp, and even a whole roasted pig if you want an authentic boodle fight experience. Add some sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and other grilled veggies, then place heaps of white rice on the leaves. Make sure that there’s some space at the sides of the banana leaves since that’s where people will place their food. Before eating, have everyone wash their hands, then stand side by side so you’re surrounding the table. Get some food from the center, then place it on the empty space on the banana leaf in front of you, dig in, and enjoy!

Picnics allow you to experience food in a fun and interactive way. Consider these ideas for your next picnic and savor all the tasty eats, one bite at a time.