Invite Your Friends to a Vegan Picnic

Posted by Calvin on August 15, 2023

Pack your basket and grab your friends—it’s peak picnicking season! Inviting your loved ones to enjoy a dope picnic spread is a great way to make them feel appreciated and show them how delicious and easy it is to be vegan. From food to games, let’s go over everything you’ll need for a flawless vegan picnic.  

Where to Go

Choosing the perfect picnic spot is crucial. You’ll want everyone in your group to be comfy, so you may want to look for a place with shade, no loud noises, and access to picnic tables, public restrooms, and other facilities. Besides your friends’ comfort, you’ll need to consider the comfort of other species—like the many animals who live in popular picnic areas.

Make sure you stay a good distance away from animals’ homes so that you don’t scare them. Check for any anthills or gopher holes before spreading out a blanket, and if you see any animals going about their day, stay put instead of approaching them. This doesn’t mean you can’t watch them from a distance. More on that later. 😉

What Food to Bring

You can’t have a picnic without food, so why not come in clutch with a tasty vegan spread that everyone will love? So many summertime faves are already vegan, like watermelon, trail mix, chips and salsa, and fruit platters with berries, grapes, and melons.

For vegan versions of picnic classics, try making our Smashed Chickpea and Avocado Salad Sandwich or Eggless Salad Sandwich—each takes only 10 minutes of prep time. You could also bring Quinoa and Kale Caesar Salad or pasta salad in a sealed container, or go for vegan chicken tenders with dipping sauces for a protein boost.

What Supplies to Bring

Use plates, utensils, and napkins to keep things clean while you eat. But you don’t want to make a mess for yourself or the animals to deal with. Leaving materials behind poses a choking hazard for them, and throwing away trash clutters landfills that spill into the ocean and threaten marine life.

To spare animals excruciating deaths, use eco-friendly materials like biodegradable napkins. You can also bring cloth napkins and reusable plates and silverware and wash them once you’re home—this is a great money-saver, too. 🤑 Pack messier food in washable containers like Tupperware and dry food like bread or nuts in tinfoil, which is recyclable if it’s free of food residue.

What Activities to Do

Liven up your picnic with some pre- or post-meal activities. A deck of cards, a board game, or a Frisbee is easy to carry and can provide hours of fun. Best of all, none of these activities harm animals—just make sure you don’t hit any trees or branches when you throw the Frisbee.

To take things to the next level, go beyond simply not harming animals to helping them. Bring a trash bag and clean up litter around the picnic site. Try your hand at “trash fishing” in lakes or streams—the only type of fishing PETA likes. And if you see a wild animal who appears to be injured, call your local animal control agency or wildlife rehabilitation center right away.

How to Watch Animals

We told you this was coming. 🥰 If you love studying other species, there’s good news: It’s a great animal-friendly activity. As long as you keep a respectful distance, observing animals doesn’t harm them at all and boosts your knowledge about different species.

Remember to give animals their space and not to feed them. It may be tempting to share some nuts with an adorable squirrel, but it’s best for everyone to hold back. Feeding wildlife in areas like picnic sites can make animals lose their natural fear of humans and put them in danger. Just enjoy the food yourself and watch the animals thrive in nature.

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Love hosting vegan picnics, barbecues, and other get-togethers? Find food that you and your friends will love in the recipes section of peta2.com. Whether you’re craving a hearty meal, scrumptious sides and snacks, or sweet desserts, we have a tasty vegan recipe for you.