Make the Most of Picnic Season
Clouds above and grass below—that's how we like to spend these precious Midwest summer days.
There's no better season for eating al fresco, and we're finding every which-way to squeeze in as many picnics as possible. Whether it's a last-minute date night escape or an all-day event, the place to start planning your perfect picnic is at Cub.
In a Picnic State of Mind
It’s summertime and the living is easy which means picnics can—and should!—happen anytime, anywhere. Here’s our practical guide to packing in as many as possible.
Take (a picnic) out to the ball game
Squeezing in dinner on practice night is tough. Solution: bring dinner to practice.
- WHAT TO PACK: PB&Js (cut them at an angle to feel fancy), RITZ Crackers + cheese slices, your lil’ sluggers’ favorite fruit and snack-size TEDDY GRAHAMS
- PACK IT IN: backpack cooler so your hands are free for hauling sports gear
- WHERE TO GO: anywhere near the field with shade
- DON’T FORGET: sunscreen + Gatorade for after practice
- PLUS-UP IDEA: bring post-practice treats for the team (psst, the Cub bakery can help with that)
Sip, snack, swoon
Sneak away to an undisclosed location and let the excitement and mystery set the mood.
- WHAT TO PACK: RITZ Cheese Crispers, TRISCUIT Crackers, WHEAT THINS Snacks, your favorite cheeses, salami slices, Cub deli salads, LU Petit Biscuits, one giant TOBLERONE and wine
- PACK IT IN: a wicker basket = romance
- WHERE TO GO: off the beaten path; think end of a dock, museum/theatre lawn, or the center of a tennis/basketball court after hours
- DON’T FORGET: a wine opener
- PLUS-UP IDEA: bring candles or battery twinkle lights
Endless summer eating
Sometimes the weather demands you spend the entire day outside with friends and food.
- WHAT TO PACK: Cub fried chicken + deli salads, a watermelon, Party Size OREO Cookies, Cub’s ‘A Heap o Popcorn’ bag, Nabisco snack packs and the biggest bag of SWEDISH FISH Soft & Chewy Candy you can find
- PACK IT IN: a chest cooler; bonus—it doubles as a table WHERE TO GO: somewhere you can spread out
- DON’T FORGET: bag/receptacle for collecting your trash
- PLUS-UP IDEA: take a potluck approach and apply a theme. Ideas: bring something that starts with an S, Minnesota-made or 90’s nostalgia
Endless summer eating
Sometimes the weather demands you spend the entire day outside with friends and food.
WHAT TO PACK: Cub fried chicken + deli salads, a watermelon, Party Size OREO Cookies, Cub’s ‘A Heap o Popcorn’ bag, Nabisco snack packs and the biggest bag of SWEDISH FISH Soft & Chewy Candy you can find PACK IT IN: a chest cooler; bonus—it doubles as a table WHERE TO GO: somewhere you can spread out DON’T FORGET: bag/receptacle for collecting your trash PLUS-UP IDEA: take a potluck approach and apply a theme. Ideas: bring something that starts with an S, Minnesota-made or 90’s nostalgia
Be Picnic Prepared
Replacing your winter emergency kit with a picnic kit means you can stop, drop and picnic in any situation. Here’s what you need:- PICNIC BLANKET: Look for one that’s soft on one side, waterproof on the other and laundry safe. All the better if it has handles.
- COOLER BAG: They’re as good at keeping Cub fried chicken hot as they are at keeping our pre-sliced fruit and cheese cold.
- SUNSCREEN: Cub Pharmacist Erin Suomala recommends broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher. Apply every 2 hours — even in the shade.
- SMALL CUTTING BOARD: Apples, cheese, splitting the last brownie, all reasons why it’s a must.
- REUSABLE UTENSILS: If you’re picking up prepared foods, utensils give you way more options.
- WET WIPES: For dealing with sticky messes, of course.
- TIDE TO GO PEN: Picnics automatically means drips and spills. These pens stop stains on the spot and that’s pure genius.
- BAGS FOR GARBAGE: You know the rule: leave the space cleaner than you found it.