Bowling Party Shopping List

A bowling party needs more than bowling shoes and a cake. Plan drinks for the time before, during and after the games, plus easy snacks that do not create a mess near the lanes. You will also need serving items, decorations, prizes and a few practical extras for music, lighting and charging. Use the guest count to scale the quantities, and check the venue’s rules before buying confetti, food or decorations.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 4
Chairsqty 20
Gift table

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 25
Reusable cupsqty 30
Reusable cutleryqty 30
Serving plattersqty 6
Cake server
Cake knife

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 2
Kitchen knivesqty 2
Pliersqty 3
Serving spoonsqty 3
Coolersqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 2
Corkscrew
Bottle openersqty 2

Decorations

Balloonsqty 40
Balloon ribbonqty 2
Buntingqty 3
Tableclothsqty 4
Confettiqty 3
Gift bagsqty 20

Equipment

Bluetooth speaker
Charging cablesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 2
Power stripsqty 2
Power banksqty 2

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 2
Batteriesqty 12

Sports equipment

Scorecardsqty 20
Pensqty 10
First-place medal
Second place medal
Third-place medal

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Ice tea - 3 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Red - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 liters
- Orange juice - 3 liters
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Ice cubes - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Tortilla chips - 3 bags
- Salted breadsticks - 3 bags
- Spiced nuts - 2 bags
- Popcorn - 2 bags
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 20 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Cheese cubes - 1,5 kilo
- Sausages - 4 cans
- Mini burgers - 30 pieces
- Mini pizza buns - 30 pieces
- Vegetarian snacks - 20 pieces
- Sweet chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Sandwich rolls - 30 pieces
- Butter - 2 packs
- Birthday cake - 1 cake
- Whipped cream - 3 cans
- Candles - 20 pieces
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Satay skewers - 1 pack
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Storage containers - 10 pieces
- Garbage bags - 20 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Dish soap - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 1 pack
- Hand soap - 2 bottles

Tips

Buy two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill them at least 4 hours before the party and bring a cooler for anything that must stay cold.
Plan one medium cake for about 10 to 12 guests, or order individual portions when guests have different dietary requirements. Pick it up on the day and bring both a cake knife and a cake server.
For snacks, allow roughly 150 to 200 grams per person when food is served alongside the cake. Choose dry, bite-sized options and pack serving spoons, platters and cutting boards so food can be handled away from the lanes.
Buy or prepare one small prize per winner, lane or age category, depending on your format. Keep gift bags ready at the welcome or gift table so prizes do not get mixed up with guests’ presents.
Test the Bluetooth speaker, charging cables, extension cords and power strips one day before the party. Bring spare batteries and a power bank; bowling venues may have limited sockets near the lanes.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a bowling party?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by one drink per person for every extra hour. Add water separately, especially if guests will be bowling for more than 90 minutes.
How much food should I buy for a bowling party?: Plan 150 to 200 grams of snacks per person when cake is also served. For a two-hour party, one medium cake usually serves 10 to 12 guests, but order individual portions if dietary needs vary.
When should I buy decorations for a bowling party?: Buy balloons, bunting, tablecloths and ribbons at least 3 to 5 days beforehand. Confirm the venue’s decoration rules before buying confetti or anything that could interfere with the lanes.
What should I bring to a bowling party besides food and drinks?: Bring tableware, serving equipment, prizes, gift bags and a way to keep drinks cold. Pack the speaker, charging cables, power bank and spare batteries the day before, and arrive 30 to 45 minutes early for setup.

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.