Springtime and picnics are like peanut butter and jelly – a classic combination that you will never get tired of. But as perfect as the PB&J pairing already is, it’s never a bad call fun to add a little twist. Bananas? Duh. Nutella? Yes, please. Bacon? Shut up and take my money.
The same is true for picnics. Sprinkle with a simple theme and take your plan to the next level.
This Spring, we’re taking a page from the “hosting handbook” and planning themed picnics our friends will never forget.
Let’s keep this between us, but do you want to know the best part of our picnic strategy? Themed picnics aren’t even hard to plan. They require the same amount of effort as picking out a simple matching outfit. And with our fast and easy picnic food suggestions & themes, you will be sure to have a fun and lovely picnic at the park.
1. The Oh-So-European Picnic
Snacks for the perfect European picnic and are never “try too hard.” They are naturally delicious and satisfying, but they don’t require any prep work.
Our ideal European picnic includes these healthy snacks:
Mario Camacho Hint of Garlic Olives
Quality olives must make an appearance in any sophisticated picnic basket. Mario Camacho’s olives come in a convenient snack pack—just what you need for fuss-free picnic snacking. The packs have no brine to spill or drip; you can use your fingers without making a mess that would appall your mother. (Toothpicks, especially decorative ones, are also applauded in the European picnic basket.)
Zoe’s Meats Pepperoni Meat Sticks
A healthier stand-in for traditional salami, Zoe’s Meats Pepperoni Meat Sticks contain honest ingredients that taste good and feel good to eat. Zoe’s uses antibiotic-free pork raised without hormones. You’ll also love knowing what the brand doesn’t use, including nitrates, nitrites, gluten, or fillers.
The individually wrapped sticks help you and your friends snack without slicing, so you don’t have to waste time packing a knife. And if anyone accuses you of diet sabotage via pepperoni, you can list these impressive and surprising nutrition stats:
- 50 calories
- 4 grams of fat
- 0 grams of sugar
- 3 grams of protein
Lotus Biscoff Original Cookies
These not-too-sweet cookies taste like happiness. Biscoff cookies punctuate any picnic with true Continental flare.
Imported from Europe, the cookies have been pleasing discerning palates since 1932. The decidedly adult cookies get their sophisticated flavor from caramelized sugar, plus cinnamon and other spices. They don’t have trans fats, genetically modified organism (GMO) ingredients, nuts, artificial colors, or preservatives.
Where to picnic:
We recommend any outdoor location with the perfect mix of trees, sunlight, and if possible, wildflowers.
Bonus points if you get to your picnic via bicycle!
Picnic accessories:
- The perfect basket or “hamper”
- Decorative toothpicks
- Liberty-print paper products
What to wear:
2. The Inner Child Picnic
Isn’t there something about setting out a blanket and sitting cross-legged that already brings out a fun side of you? Embrace it! We are encouraging all the nostalgia and throwback stories on this picnic. Without a doubt, you will forget all the weekday woes of too much adulting.
Our ideal Inner Child picnic includes these healthy snacks:
These yoyos taste even better than the fruit snacks you craved as a kid. Plus, YoYos have plenty of good-for-you ingredients and nutrients that might actually make you feel as energetic as a child. They are made of fruits and vegetables and nothing else; there’s no added sugar in these above-average fruit snacks. The snacks have lots of fiber, and they provide one of your daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
Popchips Aged White Cheddar Galaxy Puffs
Just when we thought Popchips couldn’t get any better, they made these Star Wars-themed galaxy puffs. The delicious, cheesy puffed potato snacks come shaped like the Stars Wars icons you loved as a kid…and honestly never grew out of.
Use the Force to make these puffs disappear. With just 130 calories per serving, these snacks don’t even have a dark side.
You never need to grow out of cookies; just start snacking on smart, grown-up treats. Aleia’s Coconut Macaroons make it easy to maintain your adult eating composure while enjoying all the sweetness of childhood.
The macaroons are made from coconut, cane sugar, egg whites, and other simple non-GMO ingredients. One cookie has just 20 calories, and that is not a typo.
Where to picnic:
Head over to a playground and spread your picnic blanket near the old sandbox. Try to pick a time when you won’t get in the way of the real kiddos.
Picnic accessories:
- Twister Picnic Blanket
- Spaceship Tote Bags
- Star Wars party plates
What to wear:
- Vintage T shirt
- Comfy sneakers
- Friendship bracelets
3. The Wellness Picnic
This picnic is perfect for a weekend of relaxation and rejuvenation. You can absolutely add this activity to your list of self-care options. Spending time outdoors, laughing with friends and enjoying nutritious and light snacks is sure to feel like the ultimate act of self-love.
Our ideal wellness picnic includes these healthy snacks:
Skinny Dipped Dark Chocolate Espresso Almonds
Yes, these almonds are covered in chocolate, but you don’t have to freak out; they’re still super light, with just 180 calories per serving. Skinny Dipped almonds come covered in a delightfully thin layer of quality dark chocolate that beats the usual casing of thick gooey milk chocolate.
Plus, conscious snacking isn’t all about counting calories, and these snacks are packed with healthy fats to keep you satisfied. One serving has 7 grams of protein and 6% of your recommended daily value of iron, too.
Ocean’s Halo Wasabi Roasted Seaweed
These non-GMO Project Verified seaweed snacks have only 20 calories, which make them a totally guilt-free option. The best part, these healthy snacks for picnics have big-time flavor. Satisfying wasabi and sea salt coat every light-as-air sheet; you won’t crave anything else for hours.
Peeled Snacks Sa Salt Peas Please
These crunchy pea snacks redefine the pleasures of light snacking. They’re made with pea flour, brown rice flour, and sea salt. They provide a huge, savory crunch for just 130 calories, and they even pack 15% of your recommended daily value of iron.
These snacks also boast some impressive credentials:
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- USDA Certified Organic
- Certified Gluten Free
Where to picnic:
A chic city rooftop would be perfect for this picnic, especially if said rooftop has a great view of the sunset!
Picnic accessories:
- Yoga mats (optional Chaturanga between bites!)
- Detox water infusion bottles
- Free weights
What to wear:
- Your favorite athleisure outfit
- FitBit
- The latest launch of Adidas Pure Boost Sneakers
Ready, set…picnic! Tag us in your best picnic Instagrams—we’d love to see some of your snack styling inspiration.
