What to Buy for a Bingo Night

A bingo night needs more than bingo cards and prizes. You will also need markers, pens, round cards, score sheets and backup supplies, plus cups, glasses and serving items for the drinks and coffee corner. Plan the prize table before you shop so every round has a clear reward. Check registrations and dietary requirements before buying refreshments, and test the microphone, speaker and power connections before guests arrive.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Bar or buffet tableqty 2
Prize table

Tableware

Reusable coffee cupsqty 70
Reusable drinking glassesqty 70
Reusable dessert platesqty 70
Reusable cutleryqty 70
Serving traysqty 4

Equipment

Bingo cage
Bingo ballsqty 90
Microphone
Speakerqty 2
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Kettleqty 2
Coffee makerqty 2
Coolersqty 3

Game materials

Bingo cardsqty 70
Reserve bingo cardsqty 20
Bingo markersqty 80
Round cardsqty 12
Score sheetsqty 10
Pensqty 20

Decorations

Bingo garlandsqty 4
Table décorqty 8
Prize ribbon

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 4
LED lampsqty 6

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 4
Pitcherqty 3
Ice packsqty 12
Tableclothqty 8
Serving tongsqty 4

Cleaning

Washing-up tubsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 10
Broom
Dustpan and brush
Mop
Bucketqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Coffee creamer - 2 packs
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Paper napkins - 6 packs
- Chocolate cookies - 6 packs
- Butter cookies - 5 packs
- Apple pie - 4 pieces
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Paprika chips - 5 bags
- Plain chips - 5 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Vegetarian snack mix - 3 bowls
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 3 bunches
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Butter - 2 packs
- Cheese slices - 2 packs
- Cucumber - 4 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 trays
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Kitchen gloves - 2 pairs
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll

Tips

Buy at least one set of bingo cards per player, plus reserve cards for damaged or misplaced cards. Keep extra pens and bingo markers at the tables so play does not stop when someone loses one.
Prepare one prize for each planned round and place them on the prize table before opening. Add a prize ribbon or another clear label so players can see which reward belongs to the current round.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Add coffee, hot water and thermos flasks if the evening includes a coffee corner.
Match cups, glasses, dessert plates and cutlery to the registration count, then add about 10 percent extra. Include serving trays so snacks and refreshments can be moved without carrying individual items.
Check extension cords and power strips before shopping day, especially if the microphone, speaker, kettle and coffee maker use the same area. Keep coolers ready for drinks and test the sound system before guests receive their cards.

Frequently asked questions

How many bingo cards do I need per person?: Prepare one bingo card for every player and keep at least 10 percent extra as reserve. For 40 registered guests, that means 44 cards, plus spare markers and pens.
How many prizes do I need for a bingo night?: Buy one prize for each planned round, then add one or two spare prizes in case a round changes or a prize is damaged. Put all prizes on the table before the venue opens.
How much food and drink should I buy for bingo night?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one more per person for every additional hour. Buy refreshments for the confirmed registration count, then add about 10 percent extra for cups, glasses and serving portions.
When should I buy the bingo supplies and prizes?: Buy bingo equipment, cards and prizes at least one week before the event so you can check quantities and replace missing items. Do the final drinks and perishable-food shop one to two days beforehand.

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