Picnic Essentials in Nairobi

“Rain? Today of all days?”
You can imagine the horror of waking up to the patter of rain on a day when you’d planned to host a surprise birthday picnic . My heart sunk and my mind raced, thinking of alternative activities that we’re as easy going yet fun filled as picnics.

Lucky for us, the morning worry was drowned out by midday, as the sun rays peaked through, offering some joy after a gloomy morning. That said, pray for good weather for your picnics and have a backup place to go, but take it from me, don’t let the rain dull the shine! Dance in it 🙂

 

What makes a good picnic? Is it skirting around in sun dresses or the cheer over fun games? As a lover of picnics, here are a few tips I have for you.

1. Food:

The quintessential picnic spread is usually snacking kinda food: hotdogs, some kind of potato dish like fries, icecream etc. What if I told you that potluck would work as well?

I remember one time after our 5th year med school exams, my friends and I had a fantastic picnic menu spread. From a starter of apple and peanut butter dip, to potato casserole, coconut chicken, samosa and chipolatas just to name a few. Oh and it was crowned by dessert of a gorgeous cheese cake and a fruit platter! So delicious.

My tip? Have everyone send what they’re planning on bringing and compile it into a list, so that you balance out the menu, making sure you have starch, protein, vegetables and some yummy sweet stuff too! Include drinks as well.

2. Games:

I’m usually the umpire at picnic games and let me tell you, having competitive people in the game will test your will! But be prepared with some fun games to lighten the mood. Here are a few game suggestions.

Creative games:

-Breakfast scramble- make a puzzle out of a cereal box and let them solve it in one minute
-Elephant march – let them wear a clean stocking on their head with a ball inside(as if it was an elephant trunk) , then they try to hit a target on the ground
-I have your back- get a member to draw an item on their teammate’s back with their finger, while the team mate in turn tries to re-draw that on a piece of paper. 
-Balloon/peg and cup game
-ABC scavenger hunt/Photo scavenger hunt
-Pass the water game

Board & Card games:

-Kenya @50 – I carry this game to every family /friend meetup. It’s so much fun!
-Uno
-Poker

Outdoorsy games:

-Football
-Kati
-Three legged race
-Potato/egg race
-Police and robber
-Hide and seek
-Stuck in the mud

3. Where to go?

Wondering where to have a picnic in Nairobi and its outskirts? I gotchu!

-Arboretum in Westlands
-Karura forest in Parklands/Muthaiga
-Evergreen park along Kiambu Road
-Paradise lost in Kiambu
-Waterfall Inn in Tigoni
-Thayu Farm Hotel in Tigoni
-Oloolua Nature Trail in Karen
-Ngong Hills in Ngong
-Uhuru park
-Central park
-Uhuru Gardens
-Nairobi Botanical Gardens – Museum Hill
-Nairobi Safari Walk
-Langata Botanical gardens*
-Michuki Memorial Park Nairobi *
-City Park*

(I didn’t realize I had been to this many places before until I listed them down. Plus I haven’t been to the last 3* but I sure will consider them next time I plan on going picnicking.)

 

 

4. Picnic Starter Pack: What to carry?
As I conclude, here’s a checklist for what to carry to your next picnic:

-Food and drinks

-Cups, plates and cutlery (you can reuse the plastic ones each time to be environmental savvy)

-What you need for games (board games, football, paper and pens)

-Maasai shuka/leso to lay on the grass for sitting on

-Comfortable wear + hats/sunglasses

-Camera to capture the memories

-Bluetooth speaker for some music

(On that note, say it with me:The bluetooth device is connektedaa successfuriiii. If you know, you know! Gosh, I joke too much! )

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I’m already dreaming of my next picnic. I hope you get to enjoy the sunshine with some friends and family this weekend. Feel free to reach out to me for any more tips via my Instagram (@muenimuli) or if you have other hidden picnic gems, I’d love to explore some more!

Grace and Peace!