While peoples thoughts tend to head indoors at the thought of cold weather, winter can be a beautiful time to head outdoors. Especially to enjoy a winter picnic.
Winter Picnic Ideas & Tips For Cold Weather Picnic Success
You may be lucky enough to enjoy temperate sundrenched winters or, look forward to all the activities that come with the first snowfall. Even if it’s waiting for a rare, crisp sunny day between winters rainfalls, there are plenty of great reasons to rug up and plan an alfresco winter date or two. After all, there’s nothing like cold weather to stimulate the appetite.
Picnics in the snow, wintery walks in the woods, game day tailgates, or even a chance to throw a rug down in a local park. Brisk winters days can be a lovely time to host a picnic as long as you plan ahead.
Below, we’ve rounded up all our best picnic tips to help you plan successful winter season picnics. From the best winter picnic food ideas to tips on how to stay warm and cosy and how to keep your winter food piping hot. We’ve even searched out some very handy picnic accessories to help make every winter picnic enjoyable.
Stay Warm
There’s something nice about rugging up in your winter woollies and hitting the great outdoors. However, you still need to be prepared for an extended time outside and the possibility of a change in weather.
Make sure your picnic party have all the required clothing – Jackets, hats, gloves, scarves etc for the weather and any anticipated changes in weather. Also pack all the appropriate picnic gear to ensure your time outdoors is comfortable.
Do you need extra blankets, an umbrella (a large beach umbrella is very handy for winter picnics) or even a portable table to keep you off the ground?
Maybe even plan some energetic picnic games, there’s nothing like a bit of movement to keep you warm, and entertained.
Winter Picnic Essentials
Aside from your usual picnic essentials, there are a few things you should remember to pack in winter.
- Tissues for cold runny noses.
- Sunscreen, because winter rays can be just as harmful.
- A torch or lantern if short daylight hours might be an issue for you.
- Matches or lighter if planning a fire or bbq along with dry kindling.
- Something waterproof to sit on – even picnic benches can stay damp on a dry winters day.
We’ve got suggestions below for the best winter picnic worthy blankets to keep you warm and dry as well as some very portable accessories that will make winter picnics a much more civilised affair.
Bonfire Picnics
There is nothing better than enjoying a portable feast huddled around a bonfire. Head to a picnic spot where it is possible to have a bonfire picnic. Many beaches and nature reserves have dedicated fire pits where you can safely enjoy a bonfire picnic without having to go too far off the grid.
Local parks and often national parks also have wood grills which are perfect for a winter bbq picnic or even as an alternate fire pit to keep you toasty.
If you do decide to build a bonfire in the wilderness, always make sure you do so responsibly – make sure it is legal, you have taken the precautions to keep it contained, and you have fully extinguished it when you leave – leave no trace.
If you can’t snag a dedicated fire pit at your local picnic spot, we have included in our list a lightweight, portable, no trace fire pit solution perfect for winter picnics.
Winter Picnic Ideas & Essentials
Whether its winter picnic food ideas you need or tips on keeping your picnic food hot. Or maybe you are looking for the best picnic accessories for winter to keep you comfortable and toasty warm. We've got them all.
Start planning your winter outdoor activities with these great ideas for perfect winter picnics every time.
We've rounded up simple and delicious winter picnic menu ideas to suit all styles of picnics. From traditional picnic foods through to some very portable dishes, you may not have thought of for a picnic.
Both hot and cold picnic food suitable for the cooler weather. From hearty meals to winter-worthy picnic snacks, soups, stews, sandwiches and salads. We've even got winter picnic sweets and some very warming picnic drinks.
Whether it's a family picnic in the snow, a romantic park picnic on a cosy rug, or feeding a crowd, there are some excellent picnic menu ideas for winter.
As with keeping picnic food cold, there is always the issue of how to keep food hot for a picnic. It’s not just a matter of ensuring your soup serves up piping hot or your pork pies stay hot and crispy – it’s also a matter of food safety.
There are lots of tips and tricks to keep your picnic food hot and loads of helpful picnic accessories to make the job even easier.
We look at all the ways to keep picnic food hot while ensuring you don’t accidentally turn your food bad. No one wants to be remembered for their picnic for the wrong reasons.
Whether you're planning summer or winter picnics, a waterproof picnic blanket will hold you in good stead no matter the season. We've rounded up a selection of the best waterproof picnic blankets that will keep your slice of picnic real estate dry and cosy in winter and comfy and sand-free in summer.
Each is beautifully designed for a perfect picnic aesthetic but with practicality at their core. The blanket is the most fundamental and versatile bit of kit in any picnic setup, choose wisely.
While I love a beautiful picnic hamper as much as the next person, it's hard to go past the fantastic range of picnic backpacks on the market these days. I find them incredibly practical for winter as you might be dealing with damp conditions. The water-resistant nature of the backpack tends to hold up better to harsher conditions.
Here you will find the best picnic backpacks for two on the market. Each comes with a complete set for two and insulated food compartments. Some have extras such as waterproof blankets and thermos flasks. Perfect for a cosy romantic winter picnic.
Whether you are a picnicking family or are prone to picnicking in groups, get the same practicality and portability but with picnic backpacks that have complete settings for four.
I find these are not only practical for winter thanks to the durability, but they are also extremely portable for larger picnic groups. You don't have to lug lots of extra bags when you can fit the bulk of your picnic essentials for four people into one convenient backpack.
Here, you will find the best selection of picnic backpacks for four on the market that meet very stringent picnic criteria.
Picnic at Ascot Travel Coffee Tote for 2
Maybe your picnic set doesn’t come with a flask and cups, you are planning a simple afternoon tea picnic or want a warming cup on a winter hike or while watching a game.
This is a fantastic portable coffee set which includes everything you need for tea and coffee, including dedicated leak-proof containers for milk and sugar all in a tidy, insulated carry bag.
REDCAMP Adjustable Height Aluminium Folding Table
Sometimes you just don’t want to sit on a picnic rug or need a table for laying your picnic food. This extremely lightweight and very portable picnic table with chairs easily adjusts to two heights depending on what you need it for—a great solution for picnicking in damp or cold conditions.
You Might Also Like: See our best selection of portable folding picnic tables from super portable tables for two to large folding picnic tables for groups or families.
Suited Nomad Waterproof Windproof Fleece Outdoor and Stadium Blanket
We’ve covered off on the best waterproof picnic blankets, but sometimes the weather calls for an additional personal blanket. It’s also often handy to have a second lightweight blanket no matter the season.
This waterproof and windproof blanket lined with super warm fleece is excellent for laying on picnic benches to keep you warm and dry or using as a wrap to keep you toasty and the wind out.
OCOOPA Rechargeable Handwarmers
I love these little devices. They are a great, environmentally friendly alternative to the disposable hand warmers on the market. With three heat level settings, fast charging and a large battery capacity, these little winter warmers also work as a charging bank for your phone. Win-win I say.
Throw one in your pocket and stay warm no matter the weather. These make a great gift for people who love the outdoors.
REDCAMP Lightweight Foam Stadium Cushion
Stadium cushions are a perfect winter picnic companion. Throw them on your picnic blanket for extra support or cushioning, put them on a picnic bench to keep you comfy and warm, or even plop them on top of the cooler for an impromptu seat.
Lightweight, with thick foam and waterproof backing, this portable cushion is perfect for winter picnics.
Lightweight Portable No Trace Fire Pit
A bonfire picnic in winter can be a fantastic way to spend a day outdoors, huddled around a fire enjoying your alfresco feast. Take your winter picnics to the next level with this lightweight, portable fire pit.
It weighs less than 8lbs (3.6kg) and folds up to the size of a small camp chair. It sets up in under a minute and is designed to produce a maximum flame with 80% less smoke. Best of all, it leaves no trace. Ash and embers are contained entirely, and the unit cools quickly once the fire is extinguished. You can even throw a grill plate on top to use as a bbq.
Solar Collapsible Lantern
If you think your picnic might take you into the twilight hours, which can happen quickly in winter, these collapsible solar lanterns are a great addition to any picnic pack (even in summer). Lightweight, they collapse down flat like a small Tupperware lid so will take up no room in your picnic kit. They will also make your picnic look enchanting.
The Best Waterproof Picnic Blankets