Picnic Crafts

The spring and summer seasons are the perfect time to plan a picnic. Along with a light and refreshing food and drink menu, make your picnic interesting and fun with a few picnic-related crafts that are colorful and creative for the picnic table or blanket.

Paper Plate Crafts

Turn ordinary paper plates into paper plate art. They can still be used for eating but they add a whimsical touch to lunch or dinner. A paper plate can be turned into a flower by cutting out half circles for petals using construction paper or a second paper plate. The petals are then glued around the edges of your plate. Cut out crab legs and claws using red paper or a red plate and glue them underneath the edges of a second plate to create a crawly crab. Other ideas include sunshine, frog or a ladybug.

DIY Picnic Basket

A picnic basket is an absolute must for any picnic. You can make your own picnic basket for that personal touch. Transform a vintage suitcase into a picnic basket by tearing out the old lining and replacing it with the traditional red and white checkered picnic fabric, or any fabric of your liking. Pockets can be made using fabric and elastic; glue them around the sides of the suitcase. You can create plate and cup holders with ribbon and Velcro; sew one side of the Velcro to the ribbon and the other side to the suitcase fabric. The ribbon can be slacked to create loops that hold the picnic wares. Other DIY picnic basket ideas include recycling an old wicker or wooden basket and adding a wooden handle, or helping children make a kid-size picnic basket using recycled paper bags.

Napkin Rings

You can make your own custom napkin rings to match your style and specific table decor. Napkin rings can be crafted using materials like paper, ribbon and fabric. Use pillow buttons that are covered with fabric and thread a piece of ribbon through the back. You can trim and glue the ribbon into a loop or tie it directly around the napkin. Strips can be cut out of card stock and decorated with seasonal stickers or create personalized monogram napkin holders by adding sticker letters. If you lack creativity, you can find plenty of websites that offer printable napkin rings. Delish provides spring and summer-themed rings that you just print, cut and glue.

Table Decor

Table decor might not work for a picnic on a blanket but can surely work for any picnic on a wooden park table or backyard patio. Lighting can be added to your picnic table by creating hurricane lamps. You can make these by filling cylinder-shaped vases with rocks or sand in colors of your choice. Place a tea light or candle inside the lamp for instant ambiance. Homemade tablecloths are a great idea if you can't find a store-bought color or pattern you like. Oilcloth is the perfect no-sew tablecloth material; all you need to do is cut the cloth to the size and shape of your choice. Oilcloth comes in plenty of patterns and colors to suit every taste.