IT'S PICNIC SEASON

The start of picnic season signals the end of a long and grueling winter (finally!). Now that the sun is out, it’s time to dust off your picnic blankets, and take a trip to your favourite park for some much needed vitamin D!

Figuring out what to pack for a picnic can be a little daunting (especially if it’s your first time), so we’ve compiled a list of recommendations for a few essential items to bring along with you for a fun day out with friends and family.

ESSENTIALS TO PACK FOR YOUR PICNIC

Studio Ghibli© Spirited Away Wave Stacked Bento Box

SHOP STUDIO GHIBLI© BENTO BOX

Everything tastes 10x better when it’s packaged in a cute bento box! Whether you’re packing up some homemade treats or some delicious food from your go-to cafes or restaurants, this two-level bento box is the perfect item for presenting your food in an adorable fashion to wow your friends and family.

SUKOSHI Shiba Japanese Canvas Bento Bag

SHOP SUKOSHI BENTO BAG

What’s a cute bento box without an equally adorable bag to carry it around in? This bento bag comes with either a drawstring or button enclosure, and it’s made from a sturdy canvas fabric–but the best thing about this bag is the delightful shiba illustration on the front!

Lay's Sakura Shrimp Potato Chips

SHOP LAY'S CHIPS

It’s not a picnic if there aren’t snacks! Adventurous eaters will enjoy this limited-edition snack featuring a unique combination of savoury shrimp and fragrant sakura, all in one crunchy, bite-size chip! This unexpected combination of flavours blends together harmoniously to satisfy even those who like to stick to more traditional snacks.

Japanese Kit Kats: Red White Sakura

SHOP JAPANESE KIT KATS

Chocolates are always a must for any picnic. Each bag comes with both milk chocolate and white chocolate Kit Kats that are great for spitting in half and sharing with a friend to get the best of both worlds.

Cardcaptor Sakura© Clear Card Playing Cards

SHOP CARDCAPTOR SAKURA© CARDS

Never worry about having a dull moment when you’ve got a set of playing cards on you. These playing cards are a great way to liven up the atmosphere with a round of card games, and as a bonus, this deck is beautifully illustrated with artwork from the Cardcaptor Sakura© Clear Card anime series.

COMPLETE YOUR PICNIC LOOK WITH ACCESSORIES

Sanrio© Friends Character Socks

SHOP SANRIO© SOCKS

Grace your picnic blanket with a pair of extra-cute socks featuring some iconic Sanrio© characters in adorable costumes. Each pair features a different character–grab a pair for yourself and your friends so you can all show up to the picnic with matching socks!

Tie-Dye Scrunchie

SHOP TIE-DYE SCRUNCHIE

Windy weather’s not a problem when you’ve got a fun scrunchie to keep your hair out of your face! These scrunchies come in tie-dye colours to give you that quintessential spring and summer vibe.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT SAKURA SEASON!

Spring doesn’t just mean picnic season–it’s also the time when sakura (cherry blossoms) start to bloom. Part of the beauty of sakura season is its elusive nature–peak bloom lasts for only a short window of time. If you want to try your luck at catching a glimpse of these blossoms, we’ve got a list of parks for you to visit in Toronto and the GTA before settling down for a picnic on the grass:

• High Park
• Trinity Bellwoods Park
• Woodbine Park
• Centennial Park
• Kariya Park

SOME SAKURA-INSPIRED GOODIES TO TAKE ALONG WITH YOU 🌸

San-X© Rilakkuma Korilakkuma Cherry Blossom 13.5" Plush

SHOP KORILAKKUMA© PLUSH

It looks like Korilakkuma’s also a big fan of sakura season! We can’t get over the lovely sakura detailing on Korilakkuma’s ears and paws. Take in the beautiful sights of the sakura blossoms with Korilakkuma by your side to keep you company.

Cardlover Under the Sakura Tree Embroidered Patch

SHOP CARDLOVER PATCH

Deck out your jacket, bag, hat, or anything else you can think of with a sweet embroidered patch. Each patch design features a charming design with delicate sakura blossoms and some adorably chonky animals.

YOU’RE ALL SET TO ENJOY SOME GOOD WEATHER AND GOOD FOOD

Picnic season won’t last forever, so now that you’ve got this guide to help you, get out there and enjoy the warm weather and spring vibes while you can!