Take advantage of seasonal clearance sales to put together a “picnic anytime kit”. Keeping gear organized will increase the chances of taking a spontaneous picnic trip or better yet, have everything pulled together for football tailgating season. Here are some ideas with gearing up for end of summertime fun by going on a picnic or for simply roasting marshmallows on a firebowl in your own backyard.

Purchase plastic plates, cups, napkins, plastic utensils, unbreakable salt and pepper shakers and organize them in a deep tray or basket. Store them near the back door for quick loading  in the car or out to the patio. As warm days lessen, place the basket down in a plastic tub and store away while keeping the picnic gear accessible and organized in the attic or on a garage shelf.

Uniflame offers a firebowl with folding legs which comes with a carrying case. Not only is it is easily portable to picnics, but also perfect for camping or tailgating. Roasted hotdogs and marshmallows are great for these occasions, I have not met a kid who doesn’t like hotdogs or would turn down a crispy toasted marshmallow anytime of year. S’mores are great for picnics because the ingredients don’t take up room in the cooler and if the chocolate gets too warm all the better. Keep a bundle of wood near and pack of matches in your picnic anytime kit.

Buy some yard-game equipment: Frisbees, horseshoes, badminton or crochet gear and keep all gear in one place. Like the carrying case with this firebowl, I purchased a ladder golf game that came with a carrying case. Keeping these items stored near the picnic kit helps to not forget the frisbee or leave the fire pit at home.

All home centers and super stores have plastic tubs, my favorite are see through with locking clips on the ends. Organize all this picnic gear inside. Keep salt and matches for the firebowl fresh and dry by throwing in those little packets enclosed in a new shoebox. Now that summer gear is on clearance, pick up some bargains for your picnic anytime kit and quick get away this weekend!