Unique Picnic Gear that steps it up a notch

Hosting a backyard birthday party or family picnic this summer? Everyone can get the grill going, but with this unique picnic gear, you’re going to step it up a notch!

Set out natural sunblock for your guests

Everyone forgets sunscreen when they go somewhere other than the pool or beach. But kids (and grownups) can get just as burnt in your backyard. Get a mini cooler, and put a few tubes of SunBlocz 100% all-natural sunscreen in there, along with some ice packs. Hang a sign and parents will gratefully slather their kids up with cool, non-toxic sunscreen before sending them off to play. SunBlocz has more zinc oxide than the popular brands of sunscreen available: 24.5%! That’s a patent pending formulation! Water resistant to 80 minutes and also repels bugs for the win!

Made with all-natural waxes and oils, so you aren’t putting any toxic ingredients on your skin. As a mineral sunscreen, SunBlocz uses zinc oxide to physically block harmful sun rays; zinc oxide reflects the entire spectrum of UV rays and is the only ingredient in sunscreen that is FDA safe for babies and children. Other chemical screens get absorbed into the skin and then block the UV rays, but then your body is also sucking in hormone-disrupting chemicals that could harm you! Go for the natural and safer mineral sunscreen every time!

Get SunBlocz here.

Get the kids involved with themed grilling toys

Make little guests happy with a set of toys just picnic perfect for tiny hands. The New Sprouts Grill It is an adorable kettle-style grill plus soft play food for children ages 2+ lets kids show off their chef skills, safely! They can use the tongs to move food about, create burgers and serve up a tray of food! No mess, just tons of sensory play fun! The grill even doubles as storage afterwards. This play set builds hand-eye coordination, imagination, and encourages vocabulary and social skills. Bet you didn’t think you could get all that going at a picnic, did you!?

Find this grill set at Learning Resources. And check out more play food toys here.

Ditch the trash with eco-friendly packaging

When I say ditch the trash, I mean don’t even bring it with you. Reusable food wraps and containers make picnics simpler—and far less messy—without sacrificing charm.

Fabric bowl covers are perfect for picnic classics like potato salad or coleslaw, and they’re especially handy when a matching lid has gone missing. Reusable bread bags keep loaves and long sandwiches fresh on the way to the park, while washable snack and sandwich bags make packing easy (and colorful) for the whole family.

For drinks, reusable straws—whether bamboo or stainless steel—are a small swap that makes a big difference. Many come with their own little carry pouch, making them easy to toss into a picnic basket or cooler.

Bright, reusable bags and wraps don’t just reduce waste—they make picnics happier and more organized. Once everyone has their own bag, it’s easy to tell whose snack is whose.

Serve coffee the sustainable way

Serving iced coffee at your picnic? Use Kafe in the Box square reusable coffee mug for a funky look. It’s super light, and BPA free! And you reduce waste! This coffee mug is double-wall insulated to protect your hands. The Tritan inner liner doesn’t react with coffee flavors the way paper and styrofoam cups can. And, if you’re a hot coffee fan, don’t worry, the Kafe in the Box can be filled with a hot brew too! Clear walls let you see your beverage of choice. On your way home? This square container fits in most car cup holders!

Get Kafe in the Box, Drink in the Box, and Snack in the Box at Precidio!

Host an outdoor movie night with this portable movie theater

Want to have the coolest picnic in town? Wait until the sun sets and pull out a portable mini projector. These palm-sized projectors turn a backyard wall or sheet into an instant outdoor movie night.

Many come preloaded with basic content and can stream movies or videos through popular apps when connected to Wi-Fi—or play downloaded content when you’re offline. You can also upload family videos or photo slideshows for a memorable, low-key picnic event.

Most mini projectors create a large enough image for group viewing and automatically adjust to the surface you’re projecting on. They’re easy to pack for camping, travel, or backyard use, and many work independently with built-in controls and rechargeable batteries.

Wow guests with a cool shaved ice dessert!

Bring it up a couple notches when you set up a shaved ice stand in your backyard. With the Little Snowie 2! Home Ice Shaver, in just FIVE seconds, you will be handing out shaved ice cups to all your guests. It is so easy – I made a few for my boys at home in mere seconds. Just plug in, fill with ice, and then press the lid down while holding a cup under the spout. Out will come the fluffiest shaved ice ever! Pour on colorful flavorings, and you’ll have an icy, slushy dessert everyone will line up for! Good thing it only takes 5 seconds to make.

The ice shaver is modeled after their commercial ice shavers and has an industrial motor for long usage. The Little Snowie 2 comes with a small pack of 6 different flavors, but you can order more online from their selection of 24 flavor choices. Flavors are made with cane or beet sugar

Get the Little Snowie 2! for your home

More picnic inspiration!

• Awesome outdoor games for your next picnic!
• Savory tuna chickpea salad – perfect for a picnic!
• Sesame potato and bean salad – holds up well in summer heat

Get this picnic gear to step up your next outing!

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Thanks to the brands above for sponsoring this post. Product samples and compensation were provided. All opinions are my own. 

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