The park is not just a recreational space but a cultural landmark, attracting millions of visitors each year. In addition to its stunning natural beauty, Central Park holds various historical significance and is home to several iconic attractions. This makes it a beloved destination for both locals and tourists searching for an enjoyable outdoor experience.

Among the variety of locations within the park, certain areas stand out as particularly ideal for picnicking. The Great Lawn, spanning 55 acres, is perhaps the most popular spot. With its vast open spaces, it allows families and friends to gather and soak up the sun while engaging in sports or simply lounging on the grass. The lush surroundings and ample space provide a perfect setting for enjoying a meal.

Another prime spot is Sheep Meadow, a 15-acre expanse that provides stunning views of the surrounding skyline while maintaining a serene atmosphere. Open from 11 AM to 6 PM, visitors can lay out blankets, share food, and relish the tranquility, making it a favored choice for those looking to unwind on a beautiful afternoon.

Additionally, the park features the charming Conservatory Garden, which is a more secluded option with beautifully manicured landscapes and a peaceful ambiance. This formal garden offers a picturesque setting for a picnic amidst blooming flowers and vibrant greenery, catering to those who appreciate a serene environment.

The iconic Bethesda Terrace is also a wonderful location for picnicking, as it overlooks the elegant Bethesda Fountain. This spot sees a lot of activity, with street performers and boaters creating a lively atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy their meals with the soothing sound of water and the joyful ambiance of people watching.

As the weather warms up, many New Yorkers flock to these picturesque spots, making them bustling with energy on the weekends. Therefore, arriving early or considering a weekday visit can provide a more enjoyable experience, avoiding the crowds and allowing for a tranquil time.

For those looking for classic picnic options, several nearby food vendors and delis cater to the picnic crowd, offering everything from gourmet sandwiches to picnic baskets filled with snacks. This makes it easy for visitors to grab a quick bite before finding the perfect spot to relax.

In recent years, Central Park’s management has worked on enhancing these picnic areas, ensuring they remain clean and well-maintained. Consequently, visitors are encouraged to practice good etiquette by cleaning up after themselves and respecting the park rules to ensure these beautiful spaces remain inviting for generations to come.

What are the best times to visit Central Park for a picnic?

The best times for a picnic in Central Park are typically spring and fall when the weather is mild and the scenery is stunning. Weekdays can be less crowded, allowing for a more peaceful experience.

Are there restrictions on where to picnic in Central Park?

While picnicking is allowed in most areas, some specific sites may require permits for large gatherings. It’s advisable to check regulations on the official Central Park website before planning a large event.

Can visitors bring food into Central Park?

Yes, visitors are welcome to bring food into Central Park. Many people bring packed lunches or purchase food from local vendors, making picnicking an enjoyable experience.

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We’ve selected 8 creative and inspiring travel challenges that will turn your trips into personal adventures. Our source of inspiration is a book – “203 Travel Challenges. Travel the world. Explore Your Inner Self”.

Traveling is something personal, so take the ingredients of the following challenges, stir them, move them and change them to create your own challenges to spice up your trips.

1. Jump into a warm, open-air mineral pool while it’s snowing

There are plenty of warm, mineral pools in the open air around the world. However pleasant they may be in the summer, there is nothing like getting into one in the winter, when snowflakes are falling from the sky and you are soaking in warm, mineral water, not caring about tiny details like weather forecasts or an air temperature more suited to polar bears…

How to do it: Don’t forget to take a towel to dry yourself off as quickly as possible as you climb out of the pool. Also take your favorite warm drink in a thermos for pure bliss (coffee, cappuccino, tea and rum, etc.).

2. Night Challenge

There are many attractions which stay open even when it’s dark outside. There are also events created to make your night more interesting. It’s a different world when you trade the light of the sun for the light of the moon and the stars.

A couple of ideas for night events: European Night of Museums (every year on a Saturday, around 18th May – the International Day of Museums), European Literature Night (in May – celebrities read excerpts from European works of art), European Theatre Night (in November). European Researchers’ Night – research centers and museums open doors to show their achievements (every year in late September). Open-air cinema to enjoy a movie under the stars.

A couple of ideas for attractions open during the night: Every summer from May until October the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, is open until midnight on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (reservation necessary). In New York the Brooklyn Museum has free admission until 11 p.m. the first Saturday of each month (except September); the Top of the Rock observation deck at Rockefeller Center offers 70th floor views of Manhattan until midnight (last elevator up is at 11 p.m.), and the Empire State Building’s observation deck is open until 2 a.m. In Bangkok, Thailand, every district has its own night market where you can find all kinds of food, goods and fun activities, at the same time immersing yourself the best way possible into local life. Try the biggest market, Rot Fai, or the bohemian JJ Green Night Market.

For seasoned travelers: Take a night walk through the mountains. Under the only light of the moon or a headlamp – with an experienced guide or along trails you know like the back of your hand. Night walks are an experience that is hard to forget.

3. Go out of range for 24 hours

Go out of range, see the sunrise, read a book, talk to people. 

You are constantly online. You follow the events on the social networks and sometimes it’s as if the real world has disappeared. We challenge you to go for at least 24 hours to a place where electronic devices are out of range. We challenge you to feel that you are here and you are here now, instead of drifting through virtual space.

For seasoned travelers: Deliberately turn off all your devices for a day. Get out of range for a week.

4. See a shooting star and make a wish come true

Seeing a shooting star to make a wish may seem to you like pure chance. The truth is, you can help chance come your way by being in the right place at the right time. Every year, around 12 August, the sky night fills with hundreds of shooting stars (or meteorites to be exact). The reason is the annual meteor stream called Perseids.

Fun fact… The meteors are called Perseids because when we look at the sky it seems like they come from the constellation Perseus. In fact, the shooting stars we see in the sky are part of the comet Swift-Tuttle.

How to do it: The Perseids peak around 12 August (look up the date for the year) when hundreds of meteorites can be seen every hour.

A couple more ideas: There are other meteor streams throughout the year (Geminids in mid-December, Lyrids in mid-April, Quadrantids in late December – early January) when you can see a shooting star.

5. Bathe in a waterfall

Enjoy a free shower from nature. If you try to find pictures of the waterfalls listed below, without a shadow of a doubt you will want to shower there next time.

A couple of ideas:

Skogafoss (Iceland), Havasu (Grand Canyon, USA + more ideas for waterfalls you can bathe in the USA), Ouzoud (Morocco), Skradinski buk (Croatia), Kempty (India). Or just visit the nearest waterfall to you.

6. Celebrate the International Picnic Day

On International Picnic Day (every year on 18 June), enjoy one of the best ways to be close to nature. The importance of picnics dates back to the Victorian Age when young men and women could spend time together in the open. Back in the day, they would bring fancy meals, sandwiches, sweets and crackers. Nowadays picnics require far less effort, but they can be a good reason finally to go somewhere you’ve been meaning to, but haven’t had the chance.

How to make it more interesting: You can give the picnic a theme – everyone to wear red, to bring only Italian cuisine, tea and board games, a candlelit picnic, etc. To make it more fun, you can throw in a kite, slackline, hacky sack, badminton or a frisbee.

Fun fact… According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the biggest picnic in the world was organized in Lisbon, Portugal, on 20 June 2009 with more than 20 000 participants.

7. See a shipwreck – without going underwater

It’s human nature – we are drawn to tragedy and decay. We roam around abandoned villages, enter buildings carrying legends of ghosts and dive to reach sunken ships. If diving is not your passion, we challenge you to visit one of the most famous shipwrecks in the world… without having to dive.

A couple of ideas:

Zakynthos, Greece – At Navagio Beach, you will see the remains of a vessel washed ashore. You can take a peek from the high rocks or reach it by boat.

Muynak, Uzbekistan – Outside the town of Muynak (or Moynaq) in Uzbekistan, in the direction of the Aral Sea, you will witness a sinister view along the road – the skeletons of ships and fishing boats abandoned long ago in the desert. Up until about 30 years ago Muynak was a sea harbor, but today it is in the middle of the desert, 50 km (30 miles) from the coast, after the rivers were diverted for irrigation purposes, and so the road leading to the Aral Sea turned into a ship graveyard.

Sydney, Australia – Homebush Bay in Sydney has become the final resting place of no longer operating ships. Some of them were swallowed by mangroves, growing over the rusty decks.

8. You want a raise? Take a holiday!

It is a proven fact that employees who use more of their vacation days achieve better results at work and have a higher chance of being promoted. Many people don’t use all of their vacation days as they fear that their long absence might show their bosses that the work can be managed without them. A study, however, shows that employees, who take all of their vacation days, show better results at work. Statistics in the USA and Canada reveal that for every 10 days off from work, the employee’s results improve by an average of 8%.

*

If you have used boat that you want to sell, you can use platforms like Grays.

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#1 Before going on a trip together, compile a themed playlist

It’s a proven fact that music tends to remind us of the places we heard it for the first time. 

How to do it: If you’re going abroad, find the Top 40 most popular current songs as well as some evergreen classics. When you arrive, listen to a local radio station in the car or on your smartphone. Use song recognizing apps (like Shazam) to see the artist and the name of the songs you like on the local radio. Later they will bring you back to your trip.

#2 Trust a friend to organize your trip

Set a budget and leave all the organization to a close friend. It could be a surprise – you simply receive an envelope with reservations, GPS coordinates, and a list of the necessary luggage. You can in turn organize the next trip for a friend.

#3 Sunrise and a morning picnic

Get in your car and drive at night. Go to the beach or another beautiful place to watch the sunrise. Watch the sun coming up with friends. Have a picnic in the morning and then take a short nap on the blanket.

Discover more: 9 fun picnic ideas for an unforgettable day

#4 Spend a day at a theme park

Try everything, no exceptions – from cotton candy to a merry-go-round and shooting games.

#5 Enthuse a friend with your hobbies

If you’re into rock climbing, take a friend to a beginner’s class. If you like skiing, invite a friend to the slopes for a weekend to show them the first moves. If you enjoy traveling alone, get on the train with a friend and sit in different compartments. When you arrive, each of you can see the city on their own for an hour (or two, or three). After that you can meet and discuss your separate experiences.

If you like running, you can invite friends over for a recent long-distance running race. 5K, 10K, and even a marathon are fine. Running allows us to temporarily let go of the pressure of reality and feel the joy of our bodies and minds.
You can start with a relatively easy 5K competition, persevere in running, and work hard towards first place. If you both get 5K medals, that’s something to brag about too.

Read more: Why everyone must travel alone at least once a year

#6 Come up with new names to use while you’re abroad

Stephanie and John become Stefana and Johann in the Netherlands, then Stefania and Ion in Romania, and Stefania and Giovanni in Italy. The names could be completely different from your own. For example, after passing the border, Peter automatically becomes Stewart, Ana is now Martha – only the customs officers checking your passports will know the truth.

If you’re camping or in the mountains, come up with funny scout names according to your personality – The Big Berry, The Quick Hatchet, The Eagle Eye, etc.

#7 Print a photo of the person who can’t join you on the trip

If someone in the group can’t come on the long-planned weekend trip… well, you’ve got nothing else to do but print their head on a piece of cardboard and glue it to a stick. Then take a picture of the friend who stayed behind (of their hapless printed head, that is) in front of every attraction and beer, and send them the pictures in real time.

#8 Do a good deed together

The world is full of people and animals who need help, and the Internet is full of information about them. Choose a cause that is important to you, get organized and visit a place where you can do a good deed. You will see a new place, meet new people and feel satisfied all at once. The people you’re helping will feel refreshed and optimistic to see not one but a whole group of people willing to help out. 

#9 Hitchhike to see who will arrive first

Choose a final destination and split up to hitchhike alone or in teams. The first to arrive wins, the rest – well, their treat.

#10 Vote the best pizza (steak, burger)

Include an important mission in your trip – to find the most delicious pizza, steak, burger, etc.

How to do it: You can create a strict evaluation system including different criteria (taste, aroma, service) and everyone gives a score from 1 to 10. You can divide Rome into neighborhoods and split up to look for the best gelato (ice-cream) until you find it – or catch a cold.

#11 Ask a friend to challenge you to do something at the place you’re going to

Make your trip even more interesting by asking your friends to come up with a challenge. In Brazil – play football with the locals on the beach, take a picture with a toucan, drink coconut water with a straw right from the coconut; in Cuba – have a cigar at the sea boulevard Malecon… Take the list of challenges with you and don’t come back until you’ve completed them all. Trying to fulfill them will introduce you to interesting people and will put you in unexpected situations (tested on a number of occasions by the author of this post).

#12 Take a picture at the same place every year

It’s a wonderful tradition which maintains friendships, reminds you to travel and gives you a reason to see your friends more regularly (even when different things in your life separate you for longer periods). You can pick a day that is important to everyone – somebody’s birthday, New Year’s Eve, etc.

#13 Take a friend on a surprise trip

Organize an unforgettable trip for a friend – for their birthday or just because! Here’s my elaborate guide How to plan a surprise (birthday) trip in less than 30 minutes.

#14 Visit a friend without being invited

Bring something to drink and the ingredients for a recipe to cook together. It’s enough to call and check if your friend is home and if they have a couple of free hours. The rest is a surprise.

#15 Travel by unusual means of transport

Choose a means of transport you haven’t traveled with before and see the world differently. You don’t have to buy anything, just hire it for a day. Travel in a group. And for a truly unique experience, consider exploring the picturesque landscapes on horseback. You can find some of the best places for horse riding at https://www.thailandnomads.com/best-places-for-horse-riding-chiang-mai/.

A couple of ideas: A bike, electric bike, scooter (you can see scooter guide here), motorcycle, convertible, carriage, boat.

#16 Create a short movie from your trip

Make videos of yourself, of landscapes or of interesting people you’ve met. Then compile all the videos in one short movie. If you’re very much into it, add the songs you listened to on the road. There are plenty of free and easy to use programs to help you compile movies.

#17 Send a paper postcard by post

Do you enjoy receiving postcards? One of those old-time cardboard postcards you need a stamp for, not an internet connection. The next time you travel to another city or abroad, send a real paper postcard from a real post office.

How to do it: Write down your friends’ and relatives’ addresses in advance. Sign the postcards and send them by post. Even if they arrive after you’ve already come back, the gesture will be appreciated.

Pin this amazing list of ideas to your travel board:

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Big adventures are inspiring and they are great for impressing strangers in bars, but they happen quite rarely and the gap between them can make your life feel empty and uneventful. Plus, sometimes you just can’t take a day off from work even when you’re itching to get out and do something fun.

But all hope is not lost! There are several options that you’ve probably failed to notice in your despair.

After all, on a normal working day you’re free:

• in the morning;
• during your lunch break;
• after work (including the evening).

Here are 12 ideas for mini trips and adventures that you can squeeze into these breaks. They’re exciting, Instagram-worthy (because we all crave that killer shot that gets 100+ likes) and will help your free spirit survive until the weekend comes.

#1 Organize a sunrise picnic

A sunrise picnic by the lake | © Maria Angelova/ 203challenges.com

A picnic can be so much more than eating an alfresco meal on a blanket. Simply changing the time of your picnic can completely change the experience. Leave home an hour or so before sunrise, take a flask of coffee and breakfast in a basket, then drive somewhere beautiful to greet the new day.

>>> Try more creative picnic ideas.

#2 Head outside for your morning workout

Outdoor yoga routine | © Maria Angelova/ 203challenges.com

Yoga, tai chi or downhill biking – whatever your sporting passion is, try it somewhere new and exciting. Why practice your morning meditation in your living room when you can do it in a forest or a quiet park?

#3 Go ‘forest bathing’ like the Japanese

Go forest bathing | © Maria Angelova/ 203challenges.com

The Japanese call it shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) – the practice of walking in the forest to improve your health. The Swedes have a somewhat similar tradition called gökotta, which involves heading to a forest before sunrise to listen to the first birdsong of the morning. It’s much more exciting to tell your colleagues you practiced shinrin-yoku or gökotta instead of simply saying “I went to the park this morning.”

#4 Walk to work

Swap your daily commute for a walk to combine a healthy lifestyle, physical activity and a peaceful rebellion against big city’s pollution. It’s no coincidence that there’s a Walk to Work Day – use it as inspiration!

#5 Do something unusual in your lunch break

If you stop thinking of your lunch break as just a meal time, you’ll be able to come up with tons of amazing activities that you can squeeze into your day. If you’re struggling for inspiration, read this list of unusual lunch break ideas.

#6 Hop on your bike and ride to the nearest peak

Cycle for the sunset | © Maria Angelova/ 203challenges.com

All the sweat and pain of climbing a hill on two wheels is worth it when there’s a jaw-dropping view at the top. Take a bottle of wine and share it with your fellow mini-adventurers on a summer’s day; you can enjoy the sunlight long after work is over.

Psst. We’ve compiled a cycling playlist here.

#7 Dine on a lake shore

Dine on a lake shore | © Maria Angelova/ 203challenges.com

Instead of having dinner at home or at a restaurant, grab your favorite takeaway and head to the nearest lake. Reservoirs, river banks, city ponds and fountains will also suffice if your neighborhood is lacking in lakes. Of course, lakeside meals are often interrupted by lakeside birds, so keep some crumbs at hand for your feathered friends.

#8 Book a table at a restaurant in another city

Indulging in a scrumptious meal is always a special event, no matter whether you’re abroad or at home. To make this weekday night even more special, research a good restaurant in a neighboring city and head there. Don’t forget to try the dessert of the day!

#9 Go stargazing

A blanket, a friend and a half-hour drive out of the city are the only three ingredients you need for a memorable night under the stars. If it’s August and you live in the Northern Hemisphere, you can plan to see the Perseids meteor shower.

#10 Sleep in a hotel in your own city

Choose a cozy boutique hotel in your own city and treat yourself to a midweek vacation. Take advantage of all the services: the spa center, the gourmet restaurant, the rooftop bar…

#11 Go midweek camping somewhere close to your city

Go midweek camping | © Maria Angelova/ 203challenges.com

Midweek camping is so unexpectedly refreshing that once you’ve tried it, you may wonder why you’ve wasted all those years sleeping under a ceiling. It’s much easier than it sounds; you don’t need a day off and you don’t need to drive for miles. Simply read our guide: How to organize a midweek nature escape in 10 easy steps.

#12 Go on a night hike

Provided you have an acceptable mountain/hill close to where you live and there’s a trail you know like the back of your hand, you have no excuse not to put your headlamp on and head on a refreshing hike under the moonlight. Choose a night with a full moon for an extra special experience.

Featured image: © Maria Angelova/ 203challenges.com

Like these ideas? Pin them so you always have them at hand:

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It doesn’t matter whether you’re hanging out with friends or having a romantic evening with your significant other; picnics can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone.

However, it can get overwhelming preparing for one. You have to plan food, drinks, and take care of the utensils. You’ll also have to manage the other essentials you might need for the trip for everyone’s enjoyment.

Here is a list of everything you may want to bring along with you outdoors.

1) A nice blanket or quilt

A nice and soft blanket will provide a comfortable spot for everyone to sit on. It’ll also keep the grass stains away from your clothes. You can use this to lay down on or as a makeshift pillow if you feel tired.

One recommendation is to bring an old blanket that you no longer use anymore. It doesn’t have to be in the best of conditions, but it’s ideal to have no holes or stains visible in the cloth. Also, if they do get soiled, you can just throw them away after the trip or tuck them away for the next trip.

2) Utensils and plates

A surprise to no one, you’ll also need to have the proper utensils and dishes for everyone. How else will you eat or serve your food? You can pack spoons, forks, plates, napkins, and small containers in your picnic bag or backpack for easier storage.

Chances are that when you’re outdoors during a picnic, you won’t have easy access to a sink to clean your dishes. You may have to go on with dirty utensils if you don’t bring disposable forks, plates, and spoons.

However, wherever you go, don’t forget to dispose of your trash properly. Always have garbage bags with you to get rid of the trash that you accumulate. Nobody wants their area to be filled with filth, so be sure to leave the place as pristine as you entered.

3) Insect repellent

You don’t want to begin your picnic only to be interrupted by insects. You can bring insect repellent spray or lotion together with citronella candles to keep bugs at bay while you’re enjoying the outdoors.

Bugs are everywhere, especially in the hot weather. Needless to say, it’s best to prepare ahead of time and deal with them before they come.

4) Sunscreen

This might be a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised to know how many people forget to bring sunscreen. No one enjoys the sun’s glare melting makeup and making everyone blistered and red after a trip outdoors.

Sunscreen lotion and lip balm will help protect you from the sun’s harmful rays and keep your skin healthy while you’re in the sun.

5) A portable fan

If you or your companions hate the thought of getting drenched in sweat as you gorge on food, you might want to bring a portable fan.

A small and quiet fan can help you and your friends stay cool and avoid sweating profusely, even if it’s hot outside. You get to enjoy your outdoor activities without feeling sticky or suffocated by the heat.

6) A first-aid kit

It is best to have a small kit with bandages, antibiotic ointment, and painkiller tablets for little accidents that may happen.

If you plan to go on a day hike or camping trip, you may injure yourself far from immediate help, which can be a risky endeavor that is preventable if you’re prepared.

Even in presumably safe spots, you’ll never know when you’ll accidentally stumble upon a poisonous creature or fall into a shallow ditch. It’s best to be prepared for the worst-case scenario and bring first-aid items with you just in case. 

7) Trash bags

Trash gets accumulated during any trip, but people often forget to bring proper trash bags to account for their food waste.

Bring trash bags with you to make your space cleaner and leave the place more presentable than how you found it. This way, you’ll leave the place spotless. Some picnic spots also impose fines for people who litter indiscriminately, so it’s both an economical and environmentally-sound solution to clean as you go.

8) Food and Snacks

Of course, you wouldn’t be going on a picnic if you don’t bring food. You can pack a delicious picnic spread, sandwiches, or your signature dish for the whole gang at your destination.

If you plan to go somewhere with available grills, then you can always have a barbeque as an additional option.

For deserts, you can bring cupcakes and pre-packaged cookie snacks to satiate your sweet tooth. Fruit salads are also a good choice for picnickers with dietary restrictions who want something healthy to eat outdoors.

9) A cooler filled with ice and drinks

Nothing beats quenching your thirst on a hot summer’s day than with a cold beverage. Whether you pack OJ with the family or beer with friends, this item will be appreciated by everyone lucky enough to enjoy their time outdoors.

A cooler is, therefore, one of the necessities when packing for a picnic. You need refreshments to quench everyone’s thirst, especially if you’re in an environment surrounded by heat and humid weather. It beats buying drinks from vending machines or food stalls that may either be overpriced or absent.

Pro tip: If you’re on a budget, a small and insulated lunch box will do the trick. It’ll keep your drinks cold for a few hours at least.

10) A radio/music player

Music can help lighten up your mood and allow you to let loose!

A radio or music player can keep you company and set the tone for a casual get-together. You don’t have to worry about getting bored as you listen to your favorite jams and tunes, all while bonding with your friends and family.

11) A camera

Many people forget to take photos of their outdoor adventures.

A camera will preserve the memories that will last you a lifetime, so it’s generally a good idea to bring one with you wherever you go.

You never know what might happen, so have your camera ready for any memorable moments that might occur during your trip. This way, you can relive the experiences in the months or years to come.

The post What to Bring On a Summer Picnic? appeared first on 203Challenges.

Enjoying a picnic in the snow might not be the first thing you imagine when someone suggests spending leisure time outdoors, but you can’t deny that it’s an exciting new way to experience winter. Just dress accordingly and head out into the wonderful white world around you!

Okay, you should probably do a few more things to prepare…

Here are our best tips to ensure you have a fun (and, most importantly, warm!) experience every time you organize a winter picnic, whether that be with kids or just other grown-ups.

The essentials before you go:

• Check if starting a bonfire is allowed in the area where you plan to hold the picnic.
• Bake some goodies (or live like a boss and get somebody else to bake them for you. After all, we can’t all be Gordon Ramsay).
• Prepare some hot drinks or soup and bring them with you in thermos flasks. Good ideas include tea, hot chocolate, coffee or spicy mulled wine to keep you hot from the inside.
• Wrap yourself up in several layers of clothing (you can take off layers if you start to get hot).

Winter picnic | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Don’t forget:

• An extra pair of gloves, because your first pair of gloves will definitely get soaked.
• Extra blankets.
• A waterproof mat to sit on.
• A lighter.
• Extra batteries for the camera (because they run out much sooner when it’s cold).
• A rubbish bag to take your trash home.
• A towel (see ‘activities with friends’ below).

Keep yourself warm | alex/Unsplash.com

The activities

You can add a host of activities to this list depending on who you are with and whether you’re planning a calm family Sunday or a crazy day out with your friends.

Winter picnic activities with kids: build a snowman; collect pine cones; build an igloo; make angels in the snow; engage in a snowball fight.

Winter picnic activities with friends: climb the nearest peak and pop a bottle of sparkling wine at the top; bring loudspeakers and play your favorite music (don’t forget an extra pack of batteries); if you’re feeling especially brave, roll around naked in the snow (that’s what the towel is for!).

Winter picnic activities with that special someone: make the atmosphere more romantic by bringing a candle or two and lighting them; hike to a vantage point and watch the sunset, then make your way back down using your flashlights.

One extra idea: If it’s around Christmas, decorate the car so even the trip to the picnic spot will be a special experience.

Read more: 21 unusual Christmas travel ideas for every kind of traveler

The winter solstice challenge: a December ritual

Winter challenge: jump into a warm, open-air mineral pool while it’s snowing

Pin it to your ‘Best weekend ideas I’ve ever heard of’ board:

The post How to organize a winter picnic in the snow (+ activities list) appeared first on 203Challenges.

Have a sunrise picnic

Get up early to welcome the day with scenic views and positive vibes.

Have a beach picnic

To avoid the midday heat ruining your experience, go early in the morning or late in the evening, and don’t forget to bring a beach umbrella for shade.

Have a picnic outside the city

Grab a few friends and head on a drive outside the city to enjoy a picnic in fresh surroundings.

Play your favorite childhood games

Do you miss kites, skipping and everything that brought a smile to your face back in the day? This is the perfect chance to rediscover your inner child.

Prepare some fancy food

Everyone can bring sandwiches, but how about some shrimp or sushi and some fine wine?

Have a candlelit picnic

Because candles can make every moment a bit more special.

Bring different national dishes

Ask each of your friends to prepare traditional food from a different nation’s cuisine.

Have a themed picnic

Get everyone to wear a particular color of clothing or a T-shirt of a certain theme (animals, favorite artist, favorite quote etc.). Ask them all to make playlists with their favorite songs, then put the soundtrack on shuffle.

Play board games

Good old board games make up the last missing part of that idyllic picnic picture.

© Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

What’s your creative picnic idea?

The post 9 fun picnic ideas for an unforgettable day appeared first on 203Challenges.

The date

International Picnic Day is celebrated every year on June 18 in many countries all over the world, although its origins are uncertain.

Etymology and history of the picnic

Though the provenance of the word ‘picnic’ is unknown, it is believed to come from the French ‘pique-nique’, which referred to people who brought their own wine while dining at a restaurant.

Picnicking was common in France after the French Revolution, when it became possible for ordinary people to visit and mingle in the country’s royal parks. In 18th and 19th centuries, picnics were elaborate social events with complex meals and fancy drinks that sometimes took days to prepare.

The origin of the word picnic

Picnics as a revolutionary tool

Throughout history, picnics have also played a part in some political protests, where large groups of people would gather together and occupy public territories while picnicking. The Pan-European Picnic, for example, was held as a peace demonstration on August 19, 1989, at the Austrian-Hungarian border near Sopron, Hungary. It formed part of the revolutionary wave of 1989 that led to the lifting of the Iron Curtain.

Fun fact…

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the biggest picnic in the world was organized in Lisbon, Portugal, on June 20, 2009, with more than 20,000 participants.

Interesting picnic ideas

Picnics can be a great way to spend time with friends, family and colleagues, and can also make for a memorable romantic meet-up. You can get creative when organizing your event for this year’s International Picnic Day – take some inspiration from our fun picnic ideas and make it a day to remember. We also encourage you to use the information above to impress your friends with your knowledge about picnics and their role in society throughout the years.

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Seeing a shooting star and making a wish may seem to you like pure chance. However, the truth is you can help chance come your way by being in the right place at the right time. Every year, around 12 August, the night sky fills with hundreds of shooting stars (or meteorites, to be exact). That’s thanks to the Perseids, a spectacular annual meteor shower.

How to watch the Perseids

The Perseids can be observed from late July until late August, peaking around 12 August (The 2018 Perseids will peak on the night of August 12 and early morning hours of August 13. This year, the thin crescent moon will set early in the evening leaving dark skies for what should be an excellent show. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight.). During the peak of the shower, hundreds of meteorites can be seen every hour. To make the most of the experience, you need to go to a place with minimal artificial light (as far as possible from cities and villages). It’s the perfect opportunity to combine the meteor shower with a night picnic – just pack a meal, find a nice patch of grass and enjoy! You can see the Perseids meteor shower best in the northern hemisphere and down at the mid-southern latitudes.

Fun fact…

The meteors are called Perseids because when we look at the sky it appears they come from the constellation Perseus. In Western European countries, they are known as ‘the tears of Saint Lawrence’, due to the fact that the Perseids peak on the night of the Catholic holiday celebrating St. Lawrence. In fact, the shooting stars we see in the sky are part of the comet Swift-Tuttle.

Spice up the night with a picnic

Organize a night picnic in a dark area, far from the city. Bring some food, beer, and blankets and indulge in sweet chats with friends in between the shooting stars. You can make a list of your wishes and tick them off once they have been assigned to a certain meteor.

Other meteor showers to watch

There are other meteor streams throughout the year: Geminids in mid-December, Lyrids in mid-April, Quadrantids in late December/early January. Mark them in your calendar to keep your wish-making options open all year.

Or alternatively, you could visit some of the places around the world that promise making wishes come true!

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