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Personally, I don’t think there’s too much that can beat a picnic date. It’s a great way to spend quality time with your significant other, or you can really dial up the romance if you’re on a first date and trying to make a good impression.
The key to a successful picnic date is all in the planning. You’ve got the weather to contend with, and choosing the wrong food will cause a disaster. On top of all that, you need to think of a fun activity to enjoy after you’ve eaten.
But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. This is your ultimate guide to fun and romantic things to do on a picnic date. And as a bonus, I’ll also give you some tips on what food and essentials to pack and where to find the perfect picnic spot.
Romantic things to do on a picnic date
If you’re planning a romantic picnic date, you need to choose an activity that will bring you closer together and help you learn about your date on a deeper level.
1. Enjoy a wine tasting
Wine tastings don’t just have to take place at a winery. An excellent picnic idea is to select a few bottles of wine along a specific theme and have your own tasting. For example, you might pick three different white wines of the same variety to compare and contrast. Comparing a cheaper bottle of wine with a more expensive one is always great fun!
2. Watch the sunset
Watching the sunset is a classic romantic date activity, and it also makes for a great picnic idea. Pick a spot with a nice view and get cozy with your date as the colors change and the sky fades to black. It’s a great idea to bring some lights along so you can see each other once the sun goes down.
3. Play musical instruments
Bring along your instruments and play some songs if you or your date are musically inclined. There’s nothing more romantic than having someone serenade you as you enjoy a glass of wine in the sun.
4. Stargaze
If your picnic date falls on a clear night, why not try stargazing? You can lie down on the blanket with your date, chat about the stars and see which constellations you know. You don’t need any telescopes or fancy equipment to have fun looking at the night sky, and you’ll be amazed at what you can see with the naked eye.
5. Watch a movie
As an alternative to stargazing, why not watch your favorite film once the sun goes down? All you need for a movie date is your laptop and a portable speaker to get some decent sound. Bring some popcorn and extra blankets along, and you’ve created the perfect date night outdoor theater experience.
6. Paint each other’s portraits
Bring along some art supplies and have fun drawing or painting each other’s portraits. You don’t have to be a great artist, and it’s really just a fun excuse to stare at each other for a while. Hide the pictures from each other until you finish, then crack up laughing together when you unveil your horrific results.
7. Take Polaroid photos of each other
Everyone has a camera in their phone these days, but bringing a Polaroid camera along makes a photoshoot even more romantic. The fact that you can’t take infinite photos makes each one more special, and it’s fun to watch the image slowly appear from nothing. And at the end of your date, you’ll have cute photos of each other to take home.
8. Read aloud to each other
Each bring one of your favorite books along and read passages aloud to each other. It’s even better if you have a particularly romantic book in mind that will get the heart racing. Being read to is super relaxing and a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.
9. Play truth or dare
If you and your date are feeling brave, why not play a round of truth or dare? The dares might get pretty wild (especially if you’ve had a few drinks), so set the ground rules upfront around what topics are off-limits.
10.Take turns choosing the music
A great way to learn about your date is to spend a few hours sharing your favorite music. As you’re talking and enjoying your picnic, take turns choosing the next song. You’ll find out what kind of music your date likes, and you can also share suggestions for new artists they might enjoy.
11. Practice yoga or meditation
Yoga and meditation are as much about the mind as the body. Bringing along some yoga mats and then practicing poses or breathing exercises together is a beautiful way to relax and connect.
12. Enjoy a chocolate tasting
Sharing a variety of delicious chocolate treats with your date has to be one of the most romantic picnic ideas I can think of. Buy a selection of high-quality dark, milk, and white chocolate bars to try different tastes. There’s an art to tasting chocolate like an expert, so you can treat it almost like a wine tasting.
13. Give each other a massage
Giving your date a massage might be a little forward for a first date, but it’s an excellent picnic date idea if you’ve gotten to know them a little bit better. Find a quiet and secluded area and let the relaxation begin.
Fun things to do on a picnic date
These fun picnic ideas are a little more casual and perfect for just hanging out together. Give one of them a try on your next picnic date with your partner or date.
14. Fly a kite
Flying a kite after a picnic lunch is one of the best picnic date ideas I’ve come across. You can buy a kite pretty cheaply, and it’s heaps of fun to run around and chase it as it soars through the sky.
15. Take a bike ride
Going on a casual bike ride with your date is a fun way to explore your local area, especially if your area has many bike-friendly trails. Plan your route beforehand to avoid getting too tired, and aim to end your ride at a perfect picnic spot.
16. Arrange a treasure hunt
If you know your partner well (and they like this kind of thing), then a treasure hunt is a great activity to do on a picnic date. It does require some forward planning though, because you’ll have to visit beforehand to set up all your cunning clues.
17. Play board games
Playing board games is another one of those fun activities that never goes out of style on a date. After you’ve enjoyed your picnic lunch, pull out your favorite game and spend a few hours enjoying the friendly competition.
18. Take a walk and explore the surrounding area
Taking a nice long walk after your picnic is a great way to digest, and it also gives you a chance to extend your date and get to know them better.
19. Get in the water
If you’re planning a lake or beach picnic, there are plenty of fun activities to enjoy in and around the water. If it’s warm enough, enjoy a nice swim together or rent a canoe or kayak and spend the afternoon paddling around the water. Building sandcastles on the beach is another fun thing to do that will make you feel like a kid again.
20. Play card games
A simple game of cards is a lovely way to relax after your picnic lunch. Whether you’re playing poker, Go Fish, or just a simple game of snap, it’s a great way to have some fun and really get to know your date better.
21. Go bird or animal watching
If your picnic date is at a lake, waterfront, or near a wilderness area, spend your time together with binoculars and a bird or animal spotting book. It’s pretty addictive to spot birds and then try and match what you’ve seen in the guidebook.
22. Make balloon animals
Start a cute new tradition with your partner by having a go at making balloon animals together. It’s far easier than you might think to learn how, and you can have a lot of fun looking up animal balloons on YouTube to inspire your creativity.
23. Play some outdoor games
There are loads of awesome outdoor games that you can pick up from your local toy or sporting goods store. Everything from badminton to bocce ball is great fun, and the equipment doesn’t take up too much space in your picnic basket.
Tips for planning the perfect picnic date
Bring food that’s not too messy
When you’re planning a picnic date, the biggest pro tip is to make sure you bring food that’s not too messy. Any kind of finger foods work well and will make your picnic much easier to clean up afterward.
Check your date’s dietary requirements
If your picnic is a first date, it’s a good idea to check if they have any food allergies or preferences. It will avoid any awkward moments later on and makes it easier to prepare.
Bring a dessert to increase the romance
A luxurious dessert is a perfect way to add more romance to a picnic date. Fancy chocolates never go out of style and are easy to carry without the risk of squashing them spilling. Macarons are another great option, especially if you’re trying to impress your date with your baking skills.
Bring water & nonalcoholic beverages
Nothing’s worse than getting overheated and dehydrated in the sun, so make sure you bring plenty of water. Offering a nonalcoholic beverage like fruit juice or iced tea is also a must, especially if you don’t know your date’s preferences.
Check for good weather
Good weather is pretty much the most important factor that will determine whether your picnic date is successful. Start keeping a close eye on the weather a few days before and always have a plan b.
Scout the location in advance
If you’re not familiar with the area, you might want to do some scouting in advance. Choose a spot with lots of shade, and make sure that there’s plenty of space to get away from other people. Your date will go downhill fast if you arrive and realize you have to spend 4 hours in the baking sun.
Bring something to put your glasses on
One of the small things you can do to make your picnic date more enjoyable is to make sure you have a stable surface to put your drinks on. It’s not fun having to constantly stress that your wine glass will tip all over your blanket.
Give your date a gift
If you’re on a first date, a great idea is to give your date a small gift to say thanks for spending the day with you. There are plenty of romantic ideas for gifts online, and it doesn’t have to be flashy or expensive.
Use ice packs to keep food & drinks cold
Placing a couple of ice packs in with your food and drink will keep everything nice and chilled until it’s time to eat.
Food ideas for a picnic date
The cornerstone of a great picnic date is enjoying delicious food, but you need to be smart about it. The best picnic date food is easy to transport, easy to eat, and won’t make a mess everywhere when you take a bite.
Here are some good food options for a picnic that tick all the boxes:
- Make a charcuterie board
- Buy or make bento boxes
- Make a cheese board
- Assemble your own tacos
- Assemble your own sandwiches
- BBQ meat and vegetables
- Enjoy some fresh fruit salad
- Bake some sweet or savory pies
- Make a pasta salad
- Bake some macarons
- Bring a box of chocolates
What to bring on a picnic date
Picnic essentials
The following items are essential if you want to make your picnic date as fun and successful as possible.
- A large picnic blanket
- A portable speaker
- Plates and bowls
- Sharp very knife
- Napkins
- Cutlery & serving utensils
- A cutting board
- A bottle opener & wine corkscrew
- Cups & glasses
- Bug spray
- A trash bag
- Sunglasses
- Ice packs
- Hat & sunscreen
- Warm clothing
Other useful things to consider bringing
- Battery-powered fan
- Polaroid camera
- Shade umbrella
- Cozy blankets
- Cooler
- Cushions
- Towels
- Binoculars
- Wet wipes
Location ideas for a picnic date
When you think about a picnic, a park or a scenic spot in the countryside will probably come to mind. These are great ideas, but there are also plenty of more unique picnic date locations to consider.
Beach
Heading to a local beach is one of the best places for a picnic date, especially if it’s the summertime. Bring your swimsuits and towels to create a fantastic day out that can even include some tanning time.
Scenic lookout
A scenic lookout makes the perfect picnic spot, especially if it’s high up with great views. If you’re close enough to the city, make sure you pick a spot that offers spectacular city nightlife views if you’re staying until sunset.
Botanical gardens or a public park
Botanical gardens and parks are the classic picnic date destinations. They also usually provide plenty of picnic tables, BBQs, and all the other amenities you need for a fun day out.
City rooftop
If you live in a big city, rooftop picnics are an excellent picnic date idea, especially if you’re on a rooftop with views of the city skyline.
Zoo
Zoos are a great place to have a picnic date. After lunch, you can spend some quality time together wandering around and enjoying all the animals.
Outdoor cinema
Many cities have outdoor movie theaters, and they make a cool and unique location for a picnic date. Bring a blanket and some snacks, and enjoy an evening watching movies under the stars together.
Final thoughts
I hope this article has given you plenty of inspiration for fun and romantic things to do on a picnic date. As long as you plan ahead and keep things simple, you can easily plan a fantastic day that your date will never forget.
