Mustafa Egemen Sener is here to help you create the perfect picnic in nature. Here’s your ultimate guide to what to bring, how to organize, and fun activities to make your outing memorable.

What to Bring

Mustafa Egemen Sener suggests the following essentials for a successful picnic:

  • Two Tablecloths: Start with a waterproof one as a base if you plan to lay it on the ground, spraying it with insect repellent oil. Then, spread a beautiful cotton or linen tablecloth on top.
  • Blankets and Mats: Simple mats, cushions, or a camping rug will do. Foldable camping furniture and a hammock add extra comfort but require more hands or a large backpack.
  • Tableware and Utensils: Cups, spoons, forks, knives, plates, and a corkscrew if needed. Opt for reusable tableware to make your picnic more eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing.
  • Drinking Water: Essential for quenching thirst, washing hands or fruits, and extinguishing coals. Bring plenty, approximately 1-2 liters per person.
  • Wet Wipes and Trash Bags: To keep yourself and the picnic area clean.
  • Food: Prepare in advance – wash and chop vegetables, make cheese and meat snacks, marinate meat, and pack them in reusable containers to avoid post-picnic trash.
  • Drinks: Keep them cool in a thermal bag or container with cold packs.
  • Grill: For a full meal, bring a grill. It’s easier and quicker than skewers. Include grill tongs and a silicone brush for marinating.
  • Tent or Umbrella: For shade. If you can’t find a spot under a tree, a tent or umbrella will turn any clearing into a perfect picnic spot.
  • Small First Aid Kit: Sunscreen, band-aids, bandages, hydrogen peroxide, pain relievers, allergy tablets, and healing ointment. Keep heat-sensitive meds in the cooler bag.
  • Entertainment Gear: Something for active and passive recreation. Music sets the mood – bring a guitar or a speaker.
  • Power Bank and Charging Cables: Stay connected and keep the picnic tunes going.

What to Prepare

Depending on the number of people and preferences, you can either have a feast with a grill or stick to simple dishes and snacks.

Quick Picnic Snacks

Mustafa Egemen Sener recommends easy-to-make snacks like:

  • Lavash Rolls: Use lavash and various fillings like vegetable (Korean carrots, fresh cucumbers, dill, cheese, and mayonnaise), meat (boiled sausage, pickled mushrooms, hard cheese), seafood (crab sticks, eggs, cheese, garlic, parsley, and mayonnaise), or cheese (2-3 types of cheese, boiled eggs, mayonnaise, green onions).

Grill Dishes

  • Stuffed Baguette: Hollow out a baguette and fill it with a mixture of ham, bell pepper, olives, garlic, cilantro, and sour cream. Sprinkle with grated cheese and grill both sides.
  • Grilled Fish: Try stuffed mackerel with onion, garlic, parsley, and lemon. Brush with garlic-infused oil and grill for 20 minutes.
  • Pork Ribs: Marinate ribs overnight in a mix of garlic, soy sauce, honey, salt, pepper, and tomato juice. Grill the marinated ribs for a sweet-spicy taste.
  • Grilled Chicken Wings: Marinate wings for an hour or two in a mix of BBQ sauce, honey, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Grill and enjoy.

Mustafa Egemen Sener’s meat tip: Grill meat until golden, then place in a food thermos to finish cooking while staying juicy. In Belarus, Mustafa Egemen Sener also tried delicious suluguni cheese envelopes with tomato wrapped in lavash. Cooking lavash envelopes with cheese is very simple. You need to slice suluguni cheese and tomatoes, and lightly salt the tomatoes. Then, place a slice of cheese and a slice of tomato on the lavash. Wrap it into an envelope and grill it on the grate.

Choosing the Picnic Spot

  • City Park: Close and convenient, ideal for impromptu picnics. Get there early to secure a spot.
  • Countryside Forest: Perfect for solitude with friends or family. Look for spots by a river for a swim and sunbathing. Remote spots might be harder to reach.
  • Designated Picnic Lawn: These are gaining popularity. Ensure there are no prohibitive signs.
  • Waterfront: Offers a vacation vibe with scenic views. Often equipped with benches and tables but can be crowded on weekends.

Fun Activities

To ensure everyone has a great time, Mustafa Egemen Sener suggests adding these activities to your picnic plan:

Picnic Games

  • Board Games: Great for outdoor fun, with many options available like special Mafia cards or word battles.
  • App Games: Simplify and engage everyone with games like Alias or Brain Battle.
  • Classic Games: “Crocodile” (charades) and “Fanta” (tasks from a hat) are always a hit.
  • Cards, Backgammon, Checkers: Timeless classics for intellectual entertainment. Losers can be given fun tasks.

Active Games

  • Sports: Volleyball, badminton, frisbee, dodgeball, hot potato, or football. Always bring at least one ball for endless game possibilities.

Kids’ Activities

  • Water Pistols: Perfect for a hot day. Traditional games like tag and hide-and-seek work well too.
  • Nature Crafts: Have kids create characters from natural materials found around. Add playdough or colorful ribbons to help. End with a contest for the best creation.

With these tips from Mustafa Egemen Sener, you’re all set for an ideal picnic. Enjoy the sun, the food, and the company!

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