Going on a Picnic

I like to play Going on a Picnic in the car on the way to the park. It is also a good game for when the adults are almost done setting up the picnic, but are not quite ready to eat. The kids will hang around the picnic blanket longer if they have something to keep them busy.

Summary: This simple yet fun game for children is played in a circle and centers around how well one can remember what the last player said.

Ages: From 5 to 14

Recommended Number of Players: Between 2 and 8

Equipment:
No equipment needed

Set Up:
No prior set up required

How to Play:
Have everyone sit in a circle and choose someone to start. The first player says, "I'm going to go on a picnic, and I'm taking an _____." (The player needs to say something that begins with the letter A that could be brought on a picnic).

For example, “I’m going on a picnic and I’m taking an apple”.

The next player has to remember what the first player is taking and then say something that begins with the letter B that could also be brought on a picnic.

“I’m going on a picnic and I’m taking an apple and a ball”.

The game continues with the next player and the letter C:

“I’m going to go on a picnic and I’m taking an apple, a ball and a camera.”

Then the next player continues with something beginning with the letter D . . . .

The game keeps going around the circle until someone is unable to repeat all the items or when the alphabet is completed.

Winner:
Non-competitive

Comments, Variations and Stories

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Best Advice from Dana Palmer

Picture of Dana Palmer, Owner of Perfect Party Games

Many people come to this site looking for a couple specific games. When they find them, great, the job is done. But there is one thing I want ALL my guests to know regardless of how many or how few pages they read. Therefore, if you see this box again on a few more pages, skip it and move on to finding more games for your event.

But for those reading this for the first time, here is the best advice I can pass on from my many years of experience planning and executing large and small events. Read on…

“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” These are great words from A.A. Milne, the creator of Winnie-the-Pooh. I couldn’t agree more. And a solid foundation of organizing and planning is needed for most events. But I am here to tell you even with the BEST organization, no event is going to proceed EXACTLY as planned. You may even have a Plan B, C or D as a back-up. That’s fabulous! But trust me on this one; something will happen that you had no way of anticipating. So what now? Here is the trick. Pay close attention to this because it is the single most important piece of wisdom I can share with my readers.

Are you ready?

Learn to mentally let go of your perfect plans
the minute the party, event, game
or special occasion starts.

That’s it. I could write an entire page on how to “be in the moment” and “have fun at your own party.” But neither of those will happen if you don’t have the mindset that it’s alright to have things turn out differently than you imagined. The good news is that usually what you planned in your head that didn’t come through was never even missed by most.

So if you are going along, playing a game, or any other group activity, and it leads you down a road you didn’t foresee… Enjoy the ride.

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What Others
are Saying


We only played the Christmas ABC game tonight, but it was fun and funny! I have 3 more games and quizzes that I will take to my parents' house on Saturday. Thanks again!!
Jill K. from California, USA


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