Little wicker picnic baskets are darling, but completely impractical for a family picnic. Taking kids on a picnic means more stuff and an extra layer of chaos so a family's picnic basket should be easy to carry and roomy enough to hold a family's picnic gear and food.
This list of picnic gear definitely favors substance over style, but these items are attractive and well made. And if these complete picnic sets don't suit you, put together your own picnic basket with some of the other picnic-related items at the end this list.
This list of picnic gear definitely favors substance over style, but these items are attractive and well made. And if these complete picnic sets don't suit you, put together your own picnic basket with some of the other picnic-related items at the end this list.
Complete Picnic Basket Sets
For a picnic hamper that's ready to go, complete with dishes, cups and silverware, these large baskets may fit the bill. None have impractical items like heavy ceramic plates. Many picnic sets only have place-settings for two but if they are a good size, they'll work for families if you supplement with some paper plates.Williams-Sonoma 4-Person Picnic Backpack
Get this sturdy picnic backpack personalized with your name. Padded straps make it easy on your back and its insulated, leak-proof food compartment is removable for cleaning. Plus its insulated beverage pouches can hold two bottles of wine. It comes with four place settings of stainless-steel flatware, melamine 10" plates and 16-oz. bowls and polycarbonate wineglasses. Serving accessories include wooden salt and pepper shakers, bamboo cutting board, cheese knife, corkscrew, plaid cotton tablecloth and napkins, and a cleanup bag.
11 1/2" x 20 1/2" x 15 3/4" high.
11 1/2" x 20 1/2" x 15 3/4" high.
Picnic Plus Tango Trolley
While only meant for two, this picnic set has the versatility to serve a family. The soft-sided tote can be detached from its wheels to be collapsed or carried on the way home. Exterior straps and pockets provide lots of space to carry all the extras a family needs. Two separate food compartments hold hot or cold foods. Other features include insulated, zippered wine compartment, leak-proof removable liner, detachable component carrier and elastic cord for accessories. Complete picnic set for 2 persons includes melamine plates, acrylic goblets, stainless steel flatware, cotton napkins, waiters tool, bottle stopper, cutting board and cheese knife.
Dimensions: 16w x 11d x 15h
Dimensions: 16w x 11d x 15h
Coffee Backpack by Picnic at Ascot
Though only with place settings for two, this picnic backpack's best feature is that it includes a Thermos-like flask, making it easy to bring along a hot drink on an autumn picnic. The gear stows in one compartment leaving the roomy insulated front storage compartment for food.
This backpack includes two insulated mugs, one vacuum flask, insulated detachable wine pouch, corkscrew, cutting board, cheese knife, a set of spill proof salt and pepper shakers, 2 sets of stainless steel forks, knives & spoons, two plates and two napkins
15"w x 16"h x 7 1/2"d; Weight: 6 lbs.
This backpack includes two insulated mugs, one vacuum flask, insulated detachable wine pouch, corkscrew, cutting board, cheese knife, a set of spill proof salt and pepper shakers, 2 sets of stainless steel forks, knives & spoons, two plates and two napkins
15"w x 16"h x 7 1/2"d; Weight: 6 lbs.
Put Together Your Own Picnic Basket
When going on a picnic with kids, I like to bring all finger foods. Hauling around cutlery and plates, which most picnic baskets include, seems like extra work when a roll of paper towels will do. I've put together my own picnic bag with some of the items listed below.Picnic Time Collapsible Insulated Basket
You always come home from a picnic with less stuff than you went, so this insulated basket makes a good base for building your own picnic basket. Use the expandable drawstring top, which adds more than 1,140 cubic inches of storage space, on the way out. Keep the stuff you'll use on every picnic (i.e. wipes, sunscreen, bug spray) stored in the exterior pocket.
Mega Mat Padded Picnic Blanket by Picnic Plus
We have always used an old flannel sheet for our picnic blanket. I picked it because it stays in place better than a regular sheet, but folds up smaller than a blanket. The problem is, unlike a bulkier blanket, water goes right through it--even dew can soak it. This multi-purpose padded mat (68-in x 84-in) solves both those problems. It has a 100-percent waterproof PVC backing but still folds up to a manageable size.
Thermos/Nissan Vacuum Insulated Beverage Bottle
Picnics are a great way to see the fall colors. So don't stop picnicking when summer ends. Bringing along a hot chocolate for the kids (or coffee for yourself) will help beat the autumn chill.
Quad Chair with Security Pockets and Camp Cube
Lounging on the picnic blanket is nice, but after muddy feet have tramped across it a few times, you might like a chair. This camp chair comes with a "cube" that can be used as a foot stool, a kid seat or a table.
Picnic Trolley by Picnic Plus
Similar to the Picnic Trolley picnic set above (except with just one large food compartment), this wheeled, insulated picnic tote comes without all the dishes and other items. But it combines the best features of a wheeled hard cooler with a soft-side cooler. But it's also detachable from its wheels and has an assortment of pockets and straps to hold all the other items you'll need.
15" wide x 13" deep x 16" high
15" wide x 13" deep x 16" high
Polar Bear 24-Pack Soft Side Cooler
Soft coolers are nice because you undoubtedly will come home with less food at the end of a picnic. So when empty, this roomy cooler can be put in a bag for easy transport home. This soft-sided cooler will keep ice for 24 hours in 100 degree heat and will keep hot up to 200 degrees for many hours.
Igloo Wheelie Cooler Combo
Three-for-one cooler combo preps you for picnics of all sizes. And wheels make transport easy. Fill the jug with a drink of your choice and leave all the water bottles and juice boxes behind.
- 38-quart insulated ice chest on wheels
- 4-quart Mini Mate personal-size cooler
- 1-quart beverage jug comes with an adjustable shoulder strap
