What to Bring to a Board Games Picnic

A board games picnic needs more than games and sandwiches. You need enough seating and table space for people to play, serving ware that works outdoors, and supplies to keep drinks cold and game pieces together. Plan food around dietary requirements, pack fruit and toppings ready to serve, and bring backup power for kettles or phones. This checklist covers the practical items people often forget until setup starts.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 40
Picnic blanketsqty 10
Tableclothsqty 6
Beer tablesqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable cupsqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving tongsqty 6
Pitchersqty 6

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Extension cordsqty 2
Power banksqty 4

Game materials

Board gamesqty 20
Card gamesqty 8
Game clocksqty 4
Score padsqty 6
Pencilsqty 30
Diceqty 30
Game bowlsqty 12

Decorations

Garlandqty 6
Table numbersqty 6
Chalkboardsqty 4

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lanternsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Ice packsqty 16
Bread basketsqty 4
Food storage containersqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Hand brushes and dustpanqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Washing-up tubsqty 3
Reusable dish towelsqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 3
Hand sanitizerqty 4

Other

Table clampsqty 12
Hand trucksqty 2
Markersqty 8
Tapeqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Wraps - 40 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Brie - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Herb cream cheese - 750 grams
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Smoked salmon - 500 grams
- Egg salad - 750 gram
- Iceberg lettuce - 4 heads
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Red onions - 6 pieces
- Olives - 1 kilogram
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Melons - 3 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salty sticks - 4 bags
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilogram
- Rice crackers - 4 packs
- Salsa sauce - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Balsamic vinegar - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Lemonade - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Fruit juice - 6 cartons
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Mints - 1 box
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 8 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Hand soap - 3 bottles

Tips

Count players before shopping, then match the number of chairs, cups, plates and cutlery sets to your final participant list. Keep a small buffer of 5 to 10 extra pieces for dropped or misplaced items.
Allow at least one playable table for each game group, with a separate buffet and drinks table. Pack tablecloths or picnic blankets so food, cards and game components stay off damp grass.
Chill drinks before leaving and pack coolers with ice or cold packs. Bring pitchers for serving and enough reusable cups for one drink at a time, rather than relying on a shared bottle.
Check every board and card game for missing pieces at least one day before the picnic. Pack spare dice, pencils, score pads and game bowls in a separate container so they are easy to find.
If you are serving hot drinks, test the kettles, extension cords and thermos flasks before departure. Bring power banks as a backup, especially when the venue has limited outdoor power.

Frequently asked questions

What should I bring to a board games picnic?: Bring games, tables, chairs or picnic blankets, plates, bowls, cups, cutlery and serving utensils. Add coolers, drinks, food, waste stations and weather cover such as party tents. Pack spare pencils, dice and score pads for game groups.
How many tables do I need for a board games picnic?: Plan one playable table for each group you expect to play at the same time, plus one buffet and drinks table. For example, four simultaneous groups usually need at least five tables, depending on the game sizes.
How much food and drink should I buy for a board games picnic?: Use your confirmed participant list and add 5 to 10 percent extra for shared snacks and drinks. Provide at least two drink options, keep cold drinks in coolers, and set aside food that meets every dietary requirement collected during registration.
What board game supplies are easy to forget?: Check for dice, pencils, score pads, game clocks and bowls at least 24 hours before the picnic. Pack one spare set of pencils and dice for every three or four tables, and keep components in labeled containers.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.