picnics

Picnic is a meal eaten outdoors, typically on a blanket or portable seating, in a public park, garden, beach, or countryside. The practice emphasizes casual dining in a natural setting and is often accompanied by socializing or recreation. The term originates from the French pique-nique, attested in the 17th and 18th centuries, and was adopted into English in the 18th century.

A typical picnic features ready-to-eat foods that travel well, such as sandwiches, fruit, salads, pastries, and snacks, along with drinks. Dishes may be carried in baskets or coolers and eaten with disposable or reusable plates and cutlery. Equipment can include a blanket, chairs, a portable grill, and waste bags. While many picnics involve cooking at the site, others are entirely preassembled meals.

Picnics are common for family outings, romantic afternoons, school or club events, and community gatherings. They take place in parks, beaches, and rural areas where permitted, and some locations require reservations, permits, or adherence to rules about fires, dogs, or alcohol.

Planning considerations include weather, sun exposure, insect protection, and food safety for perishable items. Etiquette emphasizes courtesy to other park users and leaving the site clean, often following Leave No Trace principles.

Cultural variations range from formal 19th-century "fashionable" picnics to contemporary urban picnics. Environmental considerations encourage sustainable choices such as reusable dishes and minimal packaging to reduce waste.