Picnic Planner: Enough Food, Not a Car Full of Leftovers
Picnic quantities are easy to overbuy because everyone imagines a hungry crowd. Counting children at two-thirds of an adult keeps the total honest.
What is the Picnic Planner Calculator?
Picnics need enough food without a car full of leftovers. This planner works out sandwiches, drinks, and snacks from adult and child counts, counting children at about two-thirds of an adult portion. Pack food in a cool bag and keep it shaded.
How to use it
- Enter the number of adults.
- Enter the number of children.
- Click Plan My Picnic for the quantities.
Worked example
4 adults and 2 children equal about 5.34 adult portions, needing about 11 sandwiches, 4 litres of drinks, 9 snack portions, and 11 pieces of fruit.
How much food does a picnic for 4 adults and 2 children need?
About 11 sandwiches, 4 litres of drinks, 9 snack portions, and 11 pieces of fruit.
Frequently asked questions
Why count children as two-thirds?
It is a planning average. Younger children eat less and older ones eat more, so adjust for the actual group.
How do I keep picnic food safe?
Use a cool bag with ice packs, keep food shaded, and do not leave perishable food out for hours.