Picnic essentials to bring to the beach this summer
Already planning your perfect summer picnic beach day? We’re not surprised.
And while we still might be in August, there’s no doubt a hint of spring in the air. The temperature is slowly but surely rising, and the days are starting to get just a little bit longer.
We know it’s not here quite yet… but thank goodness it’s on its way!
There’s a lot to look forward to when planning your ultimate beach getaway, so it's best to get started early.
Whether you’re travelling near or far for heaps of beach fun, you’ll need to do a little bit of planning to make sure your endless summer goes off without a hitch.
The beach is our happy place, and for many of you reading this, we bet it’s yours, too. Prepare for your best summer ever with Boatshed7: here are our best tips for your upcoming beach picnics.
How do you have a good picnic?
We might be biased, but in our opinion, the best kinds of picnics are those that are held at the beach.
It's like a regular picnic, but better, with the beautiful sight of the bay and the additional option of cooling off in the water. Basking under the warm sun… the gentle breeze… we really could go on.
But perhaps best of all is the fact that you can even have a beach picnic in the other seasons of the year.
Depending on where you live (and the climate), your own backyard might be the beach. In such cases, you might be lucky enough to enjoy seaside picnics throughout the cooler months, too.
What should I bring to a beach picnic?
Planning a beach picnic? Great!
First thing’s first: you need to consider who's coming to the beach.
Are you going with your family, or will a bunch of friends be joining?
Will babies, kids, and teenagers be present? If so, will you need to bring kids beach toy?
You’re never too old for beach toys; you might even want to bring a frisbee, a water lilo, or a ball game to entertain you and your friends, too!
In addition to sun protection like a hat, sunglasses, and Sunbutter sunscreen, you can also pack coconut oil sun for tanning.
Want to find the best sunscreen for the beach? Make sure it offers both UVA and UVB protection and is reef friendly.
And finally, enjoy some relief from the hot sun with a protective (and stylish) beach umbrella.
How do you set up a beach picnic?
Setting up a beach picnic can be more tedious than having a picnic elsewhere as things can blow away or become very sandy.
The key is preparation.
Check the weather (including wind) before setting out for the day.
Once you arrive on the sand, we suggest staking your beach umbrella deep into the ground, and using this as a starting point for the rest of your beach gear.
Lay down your towels, and consider an extra towel or blanket to house all your food and snacks. Be sure to keep food out of the sun, or consider a durable beach esky to keep both food and drinks cool. Keep food covered to protect it from sand and pesky flies.
Bring along a few beach chairs and make sure everyone has a spot to rest, whether they’re keeping an eye on kids, working on their tan, or losing themselves in a great read.
What snacks should you take to the beach?
There are a lot of beach snack options out there to complement your day, but we suggest keeping in mind the following attributes. Choose beach snacks that...
- Can be eaten cold
- Don’t require cutlery or plates
- Has as little waste or packaging as possible
- Is ready to go and packaged in reusable containers that you can take home with you
As we said above, preparation goes a long way. Some of our favourite beach snacks include:
- Cut up fruit for easy-to-eat portions (especially for little ones)
- Pre-made and cut sandwiches
- Biscuits and dips
- Hard boiled eggs are a simple yet delicious snack
For more great tips on the best snacks for the beach, read our previous blog post.
What do you need for a picnic date?
Having a date at a beach is a whole other adventure, especially if it's with someone new.
Besides the essentials, such as a beach blanket and other beach accessories, you might want to go one step further impressing your date with the food you bring.
You could set up a small charcuterie board with premium goodies like:
- Cured meats like prosciutto and chorizo
- Gourmet cheese like camembert, brie, and blue cheese
- A bottle of wine and some shatter-proof glasses
Don’t forget a waterproof speaker, too, so you can both enjoy some chilled tunes.
Where do I get beach accessories from?
Shop the world’s best beach brands with Boatshed7
Boatshed7 is your one-stop-shop for online orders and purchases of all the things you need for the beach, including beach cooler bags and beach chairs in Australia.
Our company is based in the beautiful beach town of Rye and we deliver worldwide. Start shopping now!