Discussions / Picnics
Picnics Conversation Questions for Adult ESL Classes
Use these 20 discussion questions about Picnics to run a full speaking lesson with adult learners (A1–A2). Each part opens with a vocabulary warm-up, every question is labelled with the thinking skill it practises, and each part fills roughly thirty minutes of class time on its own.
Reviewed by Brando Oxley · 22 Aug 2026
Part 1
Planning a Picnic
Focus: talking about picnic food, places, people, weather, things to bring, and simple plans
In one minute, think of two picnic foods, two things to bring, two places for a picnic, and one activity people can do outside.
EXPERIENCE
When was the last time you had a picnic or ate outside? Sentence starter: The last time was ...
PREFERENCE
Where would you like to have a picnic? Sentence starter: I would like to have a picnic at ...
PEOPLE
Who do you like having picnics with? Sentence starter: I like having picnics with ...
FOOD
What food would you bring to a picnic? Sentence starter: I would bring ...
ITEM
What things do you need for a comfortable picnic? Sentence starter: I need ...
PREFERENCE
Do you prefer a picnic in a park or near the water? Sentence starter: I prefer ... because ...
ACTIVITY
What activities are fun to do during a picnic? Sentence starter: It is fun to ...
PROBLEM
What can you do if it starts raining during your picnic? Sentence starter: I can ...
ADVISE
What food is easy to take on a picnic? Sentence starter: ... is easy to bring.
PLAN
Where would you like to go for your next picnic? Sentence starter: I would like to go to ...
Part 2
Picnic Days and Outdoor Fun
Focus: talking about outdoor activities, weather, meals, simple picnic problems, memories, and future plans
Think of one picnic food, one outdoor activity, and one thing people sit on or use during a picnic.
Describe each word without saying it directly. Your teacher or partner must guess the word.
PREFERENCE
What weather is best for a picnic? Sentence starter: The best weather is ...
FOOD
What drink would you bring on a hot picnic day? Sentence starter: I would bring ...
ACTIVITY
What do you like doing after eating at a picnic? Sentence starter: After eating, I like to ...
PEOPLE
Who would you invite to a picnic this weekend? Sentence starter: I would invite ...
PLACE
What makes a place good for a picnic? Sentence starter: A good place has ...
EXPERIENCE
What is one nice memory you have of eating outdoors? Sentence starter: I remember ...
PROBLEM
What can you do if there are many insects near your food? Sentence starter: I can ...
PROBLEM
What can you do if you forget an important picnic item? Sentence starter: I can ...
ADVISE
What should people do before leaving a picnic place? Sentence starter: People should ...
PLAN
What would you like to bring to your next picnic? Sentence starter: Next time, I would like to bring ...