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The Ultimate Summer Picnic Packing List

Updated Published

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Whether you’re heading to a new city for your first internship or are spending the summer at home working part-time, there’s one thing you need to add to your summer bucket list and do with your time off of school: organize a picnic with your besties.

Having a summer picnic isn’t just a fun activity in your free time, it’s also a great place to yap in the sun with your friends, have an adorbs photoshoot, and sip on the most delish drinks.

Before you text your group chat to start planning your summer outing, check out our picnic packing list below and take notes on what you need to bring to have the ultimate hangout sesh.

Blanket

As much as you may love the smell of freshly cut grass and making flower crowns with dandelions, grass can get itchy when you spend too much time in it. So, bring a blanket or towel big enough for you and your friends. Better yet, have everyone bring something to sit on and make a massive island of blankets in the grass!

Lipton Tea

You can’t have a picnic without a refreshing summer drink! So, pack one of Lipton’s new green tea flavors — Lemon Green Tea, Peach Green Tea, Honey Ginger Green Tea, or the new Lipton Signature Blend Green Tea. For a chillier summer day, keep the tea hot in a tumbler. But for a picnic in the sun, we recommend brewing one of Lipton’s yummy new flavors ahead of time and letting it chill over ice in a pitcher. You can always even mix a few of the flavors together! (Pro tip: the Lemon Green Tea goes with everything!)

ICYMI, Lipton Green Tea isn’t just a must-have on your summer picnic packing list — it’s also a proactive wellness hack to support overall health. Believe it or not, two cups of Lipton green tea a day is a simple, yet super effective way to boost your everyday healthy habits because it provides the same amount of flavonoids (the naturally occurring bioactive found in veggies and fruits) as eating 20 pounds of cooked broccoli! Which flavors are you going to bring to the picnic?

Lipton Lemon Green Tea

Lipton Honey Ginger Green Tea

Lipton Peach Green Tea

Lipton Signature Blend Green Tea

Disposable Camera

There’s just something extra special about film photos. Taking pictures with a disposable camera forces us to be in the moment and helps us not get so caught up in what we look like. It’s also always a nice surprise flipping through the stills once they’ve been developed and remembering the memory from the day.

Even if it’s cloudy on picnic day, you still should wear sunscreen! So, pack it in your bag and reapply every two hours. That way you can know that no matter how long you stay outside with your friends, you won’t leave the picnic feeling sunburned.

Cooler, Ice, and Cups

You can’t enjoy a refreshing cup of cold Lipton Green Tea at your picnic without bringing extra ice to keep it cool! Grab a bag of ice on your way to the event, and add it to a cooler alongside your previously brewed Lipton Green Tea. Don’t forget cups to drink it in, as well! We recommend bringing reusable cups to be eco-friendly.

Trashbags

Maybe you’re having a picnic right on the quad or you’re heading to a local park near school. Wherever you go, make sure to bring trash bags! It’ll make the picnic clean-up quick and easy, and eliminate accidental littering.

Games

There are so many game options to play while at a picnic, like cards and board games. Bring a soccer ball or a frisbee if your group is more interested in playing active games! Sipping on some iced Lipton Green Tea during game time will be so refreshing.

Sandwiches and Snacks

There are few things better than eating lunch outside in the sun with your BSFs in the summertime. Fill up your bag with both salty and sweet snacks, and a stacked sandwich to enjoy on the picnic!

Have a great day in the sun and stay refreshed and hydrated with a delicious cup of Lipton Green Tea! 

Emily Murphy has been with Her Campus Media since 2018, and is currently the Branded Content Associate. She was the Campus Correspondent and Editor/President at her chapter at Winthrop University for four years, but has had a passion for all things writing since she was young. When she's not scribbling ideas down for her next branded article, she's watching reruns of Seinfeld while scrolling Pinterest for apartment inspo. Follow her on Instagram at @emilysmurfy