What to Buy for a Bingo Night

A bingo night needs more than bingo cards and prizes. Plan the playing materials, prize display, drinks, snacks and serving items before guests arrive. Keep spare pens available, label the prize tables clearly and allow enough cups, plates and cutlery for the full group. This shopping list helps you check the details that are often forgotten, including coffee and tea service, cooling drinks and power access for the microphone or speaker.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 2
Prize tablesqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 80
Platesqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 60
Tea glassesqty 60

Equipment

Bingo cage
Bingo ballsqty 90
Portable speaker
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 2
Power stripsqty 2

Game materials

Bingo cardsqty 300
Bingo cardsqty 3000
Spare pensqty 20
Number signsqty 90
Serving traysqty 2
Prize ribbonsqty 20

Catering

Serving traysqty 6
Pouring jugsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Tonic - 2 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 5 bottles
- Spa Rood - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Ice cubes - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 3 bags
- Party nuts - 3 bags
- Cheese cookies - 3 packs
- Mini pretzels - 3 bags
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 trays
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Mini muffins - 80 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Chocolate bars - 60 pieces
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper straws - 100 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Buntingqty 8
Tableclothsqty 10
Paper table runnersqty 8
Name badgesqty 70

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4
LED lampsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 4

Tips

Prepare at least one bingo card per player, plus 10% extra cards in case of damage, late registrations or misplaced cards. Buy or bring spare pens at a rate of one for every two players.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill drinks in coolers before opening the venue and set out reusable cups near the bar.
Allow one plate, one cutlery set and one cup per guest, with an extra 10% for replacements. If you are serving coffee and tea, provide one coffee cup or tea glass per expected drinker rather than relying on the regular tableware.
Buy prizes in advance and bring prize ribbons or labels so winners can see which prize belongs to each round. Set up the prize tables before guests arrive; wrapping prizes on the event day is easy to underestimate.
Check the microphone, portable speaker and bingo equipment at least 60 minutes before the first round. Bring extension cords and power strips, and keep cables away from walkways so the caller can be heard without creating a trip hazard.

Frequently asked questions

How many bingo cards do I need for a bingo night?: Prepare one card per player for each round, then add at least 10% spare cards. For 40 players, that means starting with 44 cards per round, or more if cards are reused or easily damaged.
How many drinks should I buy for bingo night?: Use two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one more per person for every additional hour. For 40 guests at a three-hour event, plan roughly 160 to 200 drinks, including water, soft drinks and hot drinks.
How many prizes are needed for a bingo night?: Count the number of planned winning combinations and prepare at least one prize for each winner, plus two spare prizes. Put the prizes on the prize tables before guests arrive so the rounds can start without interruptions.
When should I prepare the bingo supplies?: Sort bingo cards, prizes, pens and number signs at least one day before the event. Test the bingo cage, balls, microphone and speaker at least 60 minutes before guests are welcomed.

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