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There are some days when the weather just doesn't cooperate with our plans. But why cancel a picnic due to rain when you can do it inside?

This blog post will cover some of our favourite indoor picnic ideas, including the list of items you need, the best foods to bring and even some decor options.

What Do I Need for an Indoor Picnic? 

• A covered area where you can set your picnic up. This could be a living room, a patio or even the garage!
• A picnic blanket or tablecloth: cosiness is more than just a feeling. It's also a need, and to get cosy at an indoor picnic, you must have the right ingredients at hand - blankets. They are an essential part of getting that all-important comfort factor up!
• Cushions: add even more softness with lots of cushions and pillows. People will love to lounge around on them while they eat, especially if the meal is very filling or heavy. They can also be helpful when people start dozing off in a food coma - just make sure you cover them up first!
• A table: if you want to get food on your plate without a struggle, it's best to have something sturdy that won't collapse under the weight of plates and bowls but also an elevated surface. Tables with adjustable heights are perfect!
• Music: the best way to create the perfect indoor picnic mood is with some high-quality tunes. 

Pick The Style Of Your Indoor Picnic

The Classic Style

The classic picnic style is an easy indoor picnic idea. Use a stylish picnic blanket and cushions all around.

Set up each plate on a decorative mat or runner, and then make your mini-picnic of appetisers in trays for grazing. Follow up with desserts and wine or Champagne in glasses.

You can also add some colour by picking flowers from the garden.

The Camping Style

Camping is all about getting away from it all and living off the grid. So why not make an indoor picnic that has a campy theme?

Simply find a spot that you can set up a folding table, cover it with a tablecloth and place folding chairs around.

Once everything's ready for a meal, arrange all the food in bowls or containers and make it easy for everyone to eat. Place the drinks in a cooler near the table.

Indoor Picnic Decorating Ideas

Traditional

A traditional indoor picnic theme is a great way to get cosy and celebrate with loved ones in style!

Decorate from the ground up, starting by picking a checkered pattern tablecloth or rug.

Serve the food in a traditional picnic basket and add a fresh flower bouquet to the middle.

You’ve got the drinks, you’ve got the food, and you got great company. What could be better than this?

Dimly Lit & Cosy

Create a sense of cosiness with rugs and throws for seating.

Layer blankets and pillows on top of each other or hang them from mantels to create snug nooks for guests.

Light up your party by hanging strands of Christmas lights on all four walls in varying heights for that perfect sense of nature's light show.

Place some candles around and lower the shades to create an evening vibe.

Blanket Fort

Blanket forts were always one of the best parts about being a child. Recreate the feeling for your kids!

The thrill and excitement that came with building your fort were enough to make any day more fun, but it's also something you don't get much of as an adult.

Not only does this activity help build teamworking skills, but it also gives children plenty of chances to express their creativity for hours on end! 

Check out our colourful collection of soft wool indoor blankets!

Youthful and Vibrant

Decorating an indoor picnic theme in a young and colourful style is not too difficult, but it does require some imagination.

Get a picnic blanket in a funky colour such as pink or rainbow.

You can put up brightly coloured posters on the walls and place balloons filled with helium around the room. It's a great way to make any room feel more open and inviting.

Consider adding some of these items: 

• a tablecloth in your signature colour.
• colourful dishes or placemats around the dinner table.
• lots of flowers, these can be both fresh and artificial.

Indoor Picnic Food Ideas

When it comes to indoor picnic food, you have a lot more options than you would for an outdoor picnic. After all, you have your fridge, stove or grill at your disposal too.

Finger Foods to the Fore

Nuts, olives and cheese cubes are simple finger foods served with crackers or bread.

If you're feeling adventurous, try making your fruit kabobs out of pineapple chunks, strawberries and blueberries. You could serve these alongside some vegan dip such as guacamole, so there's no need to feel guilty about missing the meat at this picnic!

A classic sandwich is always an option for indoor picnics too! It's simple to make but usually pretty hearty, so you won't go hungry even if there are no other options.

Grilled Food Is Back on the Menu

Sausages, chicken wings and drumsticks or pork ribs are all crowd-pleasers and these options are usually not available for outdoor picnics.

Use this to your advantage and surprise your guests with these unexpected choices.

Desserts for the win

If you don’t feel confident in your baking skills and wish to avoid the hassle of grocery shopping for ingredients, a boxed cake mix or brownie box is an easy alternative.

There are also many delicious choices available in a bakery. You can get fresh cookies or speciality sweets like cannolis or chocolate croissants.

Chocolate is a must-have but go for high-quality. 

You can find many more picnic dessert ideas in this post.

What Games Do You Play at an Indoor Picnic?

Charades

What's a better way to spend time with your family than by playing charades? You know you want to play! Games are so much more fun when there is competition involved, and this game has the potential for great laughs.

Crazy Eights

Crazy Eights is a top-rated game and an easy one to play! You may think it’s easy to win, but there are different variations and tricks up the player's sleeve!

Puzzles

A good puzzle is a perfect way to exercise your brain and get you off of screens. Mysteries can be great when it comes to having a fun time with friends or family!

Here are some more ideas for picnic activities and games seniors and kids can play!

Setting Up a Picnic at Home

First, find a big enough room with space for everyone to sit comfortably on the floor and create some sort of focal point in the centre like an attractive rug. 

Next, clear all furniture out of this area, so there is plenty of free space. Now take about five minutes arranging pillows strategically around your living room until it looks aesthetically pleasing but still comfortable enough to lie down on if need be (think bean bags versus sitting chairs).

Now put on some relaxing background music to set the mood for an indoor picnic.

Getting your basket out is a great way to get started with the food. A few laughs never hurt either, so try telling jokes while lounging back into pillows - don't forget about all of those comfy blankets either!

Indoor Picnic Ideas For the Family

Indoor picnics are a perfect way to turn your regular day into an adventure! With the family in tow, there is plenty of opportunity for sensory play. The excellent touches like lighting, ambience or even food are easy ways to make the day feel special for everyone involved in this indoor picnic!

What to Eat and Drink?

Don't let children go hungry and make them a priority. Choose some easy finger foods, appetizers, or side dishes so that you can provide great variety with plenty of sustenance. Don't forget about vegetable dishes either. 

If you are hosting a crowd, have it potluck style by asking everyone to bring food and beverage. 

What to play?

These games can be great for indoor picnics, but the key is adding some competitive elements; make it exciting and entertaining! Some board games require more focus than others:

• Monopoly: in case you want to go for a very classic game
• Chess/checkers 
• Jenga or Go Fish depending on the age and attention span of your guests. 

Indoor Picnic Ideas For Kids

Indoor picnics are a lovely way to change up your usual routine with the kids and could be just what you need for an excitable rainy holiday day.

What to Eat and Drink?

This depends on the age of the children. An excellent place to start is finger foods, sweets like lollipops or chocolate bars.

Next on your list should be some camping snacks such as popcorn, granola bars, cereal with peanut butter, or crackers for a cheese board that can also make dessert when paired up with fruit! 

A cool and refreshing drink is perfect for a summertime indoor picnic with the kids. Prepare some fresh lemonade for guaranteed success.

What to Play?

Clap and catch 

Clap and Catch is a game for people of all ages. It requires the person in the centre to tosses a ball underhands randomly into someone else's hand from their circle, then clapping quickly before it falls again. If they drop or miss catching the ball twice, they're out! The last player standing wins!

Simon says: 

Simon Says is a game of wits and quick thinking. The player who takes the role as Simon will give commands like "Simon says touch your nose" or "touch your left foot." Whoever doesn't follow these directions correctly gets eliminated from the round.

Pictionary:

When it comes to family game night, there are a few tried-and-true classics. One of these is drawing words on the whiteboard for your kids to guess and score points based on who guesses first. Kids love drawing, and when you put a point system on the game, it becomes even more enticing. It’s simple fun that all ages can enjoy.

Simple Indoor Picnic Ideas For Couples

Romantic dates don't have to be over the top or planned out in advance. Sometimes all you need is a dinner and movie, or even just some quality time together at home when you focus solely on each other rather than anything else; that’s what matters most.

What to Eat and Drink?

What's more romantic than wine, cheese and candlelight? An indoor picnic for two!

Use this opportunity to get creative with your dishes. Choose a few different types of cheeses like brie or gouda mixed in pairs and meats such as salami slices and prosciutto di Parma that will pair together nicely on the same board.

Add some olives, figs or honey nuts if you're feeling adventurous enough while selecting wines to try out.

Prosecco is perfect for pairing light flavours but don't forget about Cabernet Sauvignon, which can go well with chocolate desserts!

Other Romantic Ideas for At-Home Picnic Dates

Home Spa

Yes, it will be great! You don't need to go anywhere for a spa; just stay in with your partner and take advantage of the home’s amenities.

Get cosy under some plush robes while lighting candles around your space. Soak up the romance as you give each other massages using one of these easy DIY foot scrub recipes or trying out those relaxing massage techniques like reflexology!

Do a Video Game Night

It's time to have some good ol' fun with your significant other, so grab a controller and playfully challenge them! You can up the ante by making it competitive.

The winner gets to choose what you do later this evening - it sounds like a fantastic way for both of you to unwind at a romantic picnic date.

Spark The Fire

A good way to reconnect with your partner is by going on a trip down memory lane. This will bring up some old memories of the two of you and can be romantic and bonding because it's sharing an experience.

So go ahead and pour yourself a glass of wine for this nostalgia-filled night!

And most importantly…

Cuddle up with your other half and tell them how much you love them. Because they’re just the best :)