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Well, we braved the winter eating outdoors at restaurants with heat lamps and long underwear, now, finally, temperatures and vaccination rates are rising and it’s time to venture out for more homemade outdoor dining: the humble—or not so!—picnic. April 23 is National Picnic Day and what better time to celebrate joining friends outdoors for warm weather victuals. We’ve gathered the best, brightest and most practical picnic essentials for every occasion and location from a family beach outing to a weekend woodland hike, from a rooftop soiree to a backyard garden party. With these accessories and essentials you can transform a simple afternoon with friends in Central Park into an impressionist tableau vivant, it need not be Monet’s The Picnic with ruffled bustles splayed on the lawn, and probably should include more clothes than Manet’s Dejeuner sur L’Herbe, but these plein air dining set-ups will make any picnic one to remember.
Rooftop Movie Screening
A block-print Les Indiennes bonthalus—a floor mat woven from textile scraps—sets the scene (pun intended) for an alfresco movie night with marbleized melamine plates and Super Real natural rosé.
Central Park Brunch
Bring your Russ Daughters brunch box (it comes in an insulated tote) and this wicker picnic set for four, and you’re set for the day.
Graduation Celebration
Fete your new grads with colorful reusable bamboo plates from Meri Meri and Lisa Corti’s happy-making prints.
Garden Party
Play croquet or, for the less athletically inclined, lounge on Tensira’s striped mattresses. Feast on a Murray’s Spring Cheese Platter with Cutter Brooks’ Bamboo Cutlery and John Derian’s Faience melamine chargers.
Family Beach Bash
Set up your beach camp with Business and Pleasure Co.’s block print beach chair for the elders and paddleball for the more energetic of the bunch.
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Botanic Bridal Shower
Celebrate your engaged friend with these Iznik tin plates, coordinating D’Ascoli linen and Une Femme sparkling rosé with Sammy Rees’s too-pretty-to-eat biscuits.
Woodland Walk
Find a footstool on a weekend walk in the woods and dine with these tear-off My Drap napkins and faux bois plates. And, of course, don’t forget the bug spray!
Playdate in the Park
Pack up your toddler to meet their buddy and they can share their snacks from their Peter Rabbit enamel dining set and do some chalk art on the playground.
Solo Workday Lunch
Treat yourself to a midday work break and take your lunch outdoors with these Bamboo bento boxes. Listen to a podcast and don’t forget to wear sunblock.
