Summer/Outdoor Living

Picnic Perfect

Picnic Gear from the Dollar Store

People are always rediscovering the simple pleasures in life. For instance, a “stay-cation” might include picnics in the park. If you like the idea of packing a picnic lunch and enjoying it with the kids under a big shade tree by a babbling brook or beside a lake dotted with ducks, dollar stores have plenty of stuff to help you get outfitted for these relaxing outings. 

 

 

If you’re going on a day trip, you’ll need a cooler and, to help keep things cool in the cooler, you’ll need a couple of freezer packs or maybe just one large one like the 12 ½” x 11″ cooling board we found at Dollarama. The store also carries the smaller sizes for a buck apiece. And to keep your bottle of water or pop cool, try this neoprene bottle bag.

 

You can buy plastic plates at the dollar store and get a colorful felt-backed plastic tablecloth to cover a picnic table. Or, you might opt for a picnic blanket. This one is quilted vinyl for easy cleaning and is generously sized at 3.2′ x 5.2′. Keep the flies off of the salad with food tents. These food tents now come in a variety of sizes, from small to extra large and fold up for easy transport.

For short jaunts to a neighborhood park you could probably skip the ice packs and carry everything you need in one bag. This sturdy jute bag is 16″ x 13″ x 6″ wide, plenty of room for your picnic plates, glasses, sandwiches, potato salad and drinks. The 6″ x 6″ pouch on the inside of the bag is perfect for holding the plastic silverware, which you can by in a package of 12 pieces.

This large tote bag would be a great way to haul toys and towels and to the beach, as well.