75 Picnic Date Ideas—From Snacks & Sips to Places & Plans
Going on a picnic date is a classic and romantic way to sweep someone off of their feet. Whether it's one of your first dates or you've been together for several years, picnics are undoubtedly fun. The possibilities are endless as far as where you can plan the date, which activities to include and the best food to eat. If you're planning a picnic for the special someone in your life, you may be on the hunt for the best picnic date ideas.
Maybe you're envisioning a romantic sunset picnic on the beach while you snack on cheese and wine, or perhaps you'd fancy a backyard picnic that ends in stargazing and a bonfire (with s'mores, of course).
You may be surprised at the amount of picnic date ideas out there for couples. If you're stumped and seek to do more than throw down a gingham blanket in the park, keep reading. From food ideas to activities and cute places to go, you'll have your perfect date planned in no time.
Related: 65 First Date Ideas To Help Spark a Love Connection (Or at Least a Great Time)
Best Picnic Date Ideas
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1. Beach Picnic
Set up in the sand, right by the water. Just watch for the tide rolling in!
2. State Park
Undoubtedly, state parks are the most popular place to host a picnic. With lots of space and greenery around for a beautiful setup, you can't go wrong at a local state park.
3. Botanical Gardens
Another one of the most popular places to have a picnic date is at a botanical garden. Botanical gardens feel more private than state parks and the greenery is much more lush and unique.
4. Backyard
If you don't feel like going anywhere, set up a picnic in your backyard.
5. Car/Truckbed
Some people don't like sitting in the grass. If you're one of them, lay the picnic blanket out in your car trunk or the bed of your truck.
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6. Waterside
If there's not a beach close by, find a lake to lounge by.
7. Waterfall
Is there anything more romantic and peaceful than watching a waterfall? The only thing we can think of is having a picnic by a waterfall.
8. Play Card Games
What are your favorite card games to play? Make sure you have all of the rules down and play all the classics.
9. Bring Books
Sometimes, you just want to have some peace and quiet. Enjoy each other's company and read books side-by-side.
10. Play 20 Questions
It doesn't matter how long or little you've known each other, playing 20 Questions is a great way to deepen your relationship.
Related: Time To Reconnect! 25 Relationship Check-In Questions for You and Your Partner
11. People Watch
The cheapest and most entertaining activity is definitely people-watching. Do it while you feast on your picnic treats!
12. Do a Virtual Wine Tasting
Bring your laptop or iPad and sign up for a virtual wine tasting to enjoy outside.
13. Fly a Kite
Picnics and flying kites go hand-in-hand. Head to your local store and grab one to fly together.
14. Have a Photoshoot
Snap cute photos of each other to commemorate the picnic date.
15. Charades
Is there a game more classic than Charades?
Related: First Word: Fun—We’ve Got the 250 Best Charades Ideas to Liven up Your Evenings
16. Play Never Have I Ever
Each player starts with 10 fingers up and you ask questions to find out things that the other has or hasn't done.
17. Bocce Ball
A classic yard game.
18. Pickleball
Plan your picnic by a pickleball court so you can play before or after you eat! It's very similar to tennis.
19. Toss a Ball
Grab your baseball gloves or the football and toss it around.
20. Play Soccer
Better with your feet? Play a game of soccer together or pass the ball around.
21. Play Tennis
You'd be surprised at how fun and competitive a game of tennis can be after a picnic.
22. Play Frisbee
Get your form down and throw like a pro.
23. Go Swimming
If you have your picnic by a lake or public pool, why not cool off with a swim after?
24. Ring Toss
Pro tip: if you hit the middle pin, you get 25 points.
25. Hackysack
How long can you keep the hackysack going?
26. Listen to Music
Putting on music in the background is a must.
27. Paint Tote Bags
You can head down to your local craft store to grab blank tote bags and paint them with designs of your choice.
28. Horseshoes
Horseshoes, anyone?
29. Jump Rope
Jumping rope is probably best served before you eat your food.
30. Hula Hoop
Have a hula hooping contest and see who can keep theirs up the longest!
Romantic Picnic Ideas
31. Rooftop
Do you live in a high-rise apartment? Set up a picnic on your rooftop.
32. Private Chef Hosting
Take a private chef with you and your partner during your romantic picnic.
33. Drive-In Theatre
Remember when we said to have a picnic in the back of your car? Do it at the drive-in theatre and watch a movie!
34. Sunrise Breakfast Picnic
Is there anything more romantic than watching the sunrise and sipping on mimosas?
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35. Sunset Picnic
Conversely, if you're not a morning person, opt for a sunset picnic.
36. Do Your Own Wine Tasting
Wine tastings can be expensive, but they sure are a romantic picnic idea. Host your own!
37. Stargaze
If your sunset picnic dips into the evening hours, lay back and enjoy the stars.
38. Play Instruments
Do you and your picnic date have a knack for music? Jam on instruments together.
39. Take Polaroid Photos
Snap Polaroid photos to commemorate the day and write down the date at the bottom.
40. Dance
Dance to the music you're playing like nobody's watching!
Related: 75 Unique Proposal Ideas That Are Meaningful, Fun & Totally Instagram Perfect
41. Play Truth or Dare
Truth or Dare is a timeless classic to help you get to know your picnic date a little better.
42. Give Each Other a Massage
Time to get those knots out of your shoulder and neck.
43. Practice Yoga
Picnic yoga? We can't think of anything better.
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44. Meditate
Zen out for a meditation session in nature. Be careful, if you do it after your picnic feast, you may fall asleep!
45. Take a Walk
Walk off all the food and drinks with an after-picnic romantic walk.
46. Play a Flirty Card Game
Want to get a little flirty with your picnic date? There are lots of romantic card games that can allow you to do so!
47. Feed Each Other Fruit
Just make sure your picnic date likes the fruit you picked.
48. Watch a Movie
Either set up your picnic in your yard with a projector and movie ready to play, or place your phone on the picnic blanket where you can both see the screen and play one of your favorite films during your date.
49. Watch the Clouds
Remember when you watched the clouds when you were younger? Lay back and do that at your picnic!
Cute Picnic Ideas
50. Bicycle
Bike to your picnic site and bike around the nature trail afterward.
51. Paddle Board
Pack your paddle boards with you and float around after your lakeside picnic.
52. Bird Watch
If you're eating in nature, you may as well immerse yourself in nature. How many different birds can you spot?
53. Color
Bring two of the same coloring books or coloring pages and choose the same page to color. Compare the results after!
54. Paint
You can also have a painting contest. Find an "inspiration picture" and mimic it to your best abilities!
55. Decorate the Picnic Area
Today, there are lots of picnic hosting companies that decorate outdoor picnic sites for you. Why not come up with a theme and decorate the spot together?
56. Scavenger Hunt
Set up a cheeky scavenger hunt to play with your picnic date.
57. Play I Spy
This game isn't just for long car rides. Break it out at your picnic and see what you find!
58. Pick Flowers
Are there wildflowers nearby? Pick a bouquet for your picnic date.
Related: What Is Your Birth Flower? Find Out the Meaning Behind the Blooms for Each Month
59. Go Fishing
Going fishing is another great lakeside picnic activity. Perhaps, wait until after you eat, though! Nobody wants to eat with fishy fingers.
60. Have a Bonfire
Having a bonfire picnic is a great excuse to have s'mores. And who doesn't love s'mores?
Food Ideas for a Picnic Date
61. Charcuterie Board
Create your own or pick up one from a charcuterie board catering service.
Related: 31 Types of Cheese To Add to Your Next Charcuterie Board
62. Bento Boxes
Easy and transferrable, feast on your Asian fusion and sushi favorites.
63. Box of Chocolates
Not in the mood for food? Chocolates will do! Or, they always work perfectly as a dessert.
64. Pizza and Beer
This timeless combo tastes perfect at a picnic.
65. Fast Food
Run through your favorite fast food joint before you jet off for your picnic.
66. Wine and Cheese
Just like pizza and beer, wine and cheese combine together flawlessly and make for a tasteful picnic food idea.
67. High Tea
Pinkies up! Stay classy with a high tea picnic. You can transfer the tea to Tervis cups to keep it hot!
68. Barbecue
If you have a picnic at a state park or in your backyard, take advantage of the grills and barbecue out.
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69. Sandwiches, Salads and Snacks
The trifecta combination of picnic foods: sandwiches, salads and snacks.
70. Tacos
Make your own tacos or pick them up from your favorite restaurant before the picnic begins.
71. Fruits, Veggies and Dips
If you're looking for lighter fare snacks, cut up all of your favorite produce items between fruits and vegetables. Dips like hummus and caramel dip are perfect pairings!
72. Takeout
Do you love a certain type of takeout? Why not enjoy it at your picnic?
73. Burgers and Hot Dogs
The classic American fare.
74. Italian
Slurping on pasta may get a little bit messy, but who doesn't love Italian food?
75. Dessert and Coffee
Grab your favorite pastries, like danishes and croissants, and pair them with caffeine-filled cups of coffee.
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