What you need for a camping campfire night
A camping campfire night needs more than logs and marshmallows. You will need enough seating, chilled drinks, reusable tableware, food-serving equipment, lighting and fire-safety gear for the whole group. Buy non-perishable items early, then chill drinks and prepare fresh snacks on the day. Check the campsite’s fire rules and the weather forecast before shopping, because firewood, lighting and rain cover are easy to arrange too late.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Foldable tablesqty 6
- Folding chairsqty 40
- Picnic blanketsqty 8
- Cushionsqty 20
- Waste binsqty 4
Equipment
- Fire bowl
- Logsqty 4
- Kindlingqty 2
- Long poker
- Long Fire Tongs
- Portable speaker
- Coolersqty 3
- Extension cordsqty 2
Tableware
- Reusable platesqty 45
- Reusable bowlsqty 45
- Reusable cupsqty 60
- Mugsqty 45
- Cutlery setsqty 45
- Serving spoonsqty 6
- Pitchersqty 4
Kitchen
- Cutting boardsqty 3
- Chef's knivesqty 3
- Serving plattersqty 8
- Serving tongsqty 4
- Barbecue tongsqty 3
- Aluminum foilqty 2
Lighting
- LED string lightsqty 4
- Rechargeable lanternsqty 6
Safety
- Fire extinguisher
- Bucketsqty 4
- First aid kit
- Barrier tape
Cleaning
- Dishpanqty 2
- Spongesqty 6
- Dish brushesqty 2
- Microfiber clothsqty 8
Catering
- Groceries
- Chicken sausage - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian bratwursts - 15 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 60 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 50 pieces
- Beef burgers - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 15 pieces
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Crispy fried onions - 2 jars
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 3 pieces
- Onions - 2 kilos
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salsa sauce - 4 jars
- Peanut mix - 3 bags
- Marshmallows - 6 bags
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Still water - 8 bottles
- Fruit juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Beer - 4 crates
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Salt - 1 tin
- Pepper - 1 can
- Paprika powder - 1 can
- Garlic powder - 1 canister
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
Tips
- Allow around 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Bring extra water, especially if guests will be outside for several hours.
- For marshmallows, plan on 4–6 per person, plus enough bread or other roasting food for everyone who wants a savoury option. Pack aluminium foil for food that needs warming near the fire.
- Bring at least two buckets and a fire extinguisher, and keep a long poker and long fire tongs beside the fire bowl. Do not leave fire-safety equipment packed in the car or inside a tent.
- Plan one reusable plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Mugs are useful for hot drinks, while pitchers make the drink station easier to refill.
- Use rechargeable lanterns and LED string lights rather than relying on the campfire alone. Charge every light and the portable speaker before leaving, and pack extension cords only where the campsite permits them.
Frequently asked questions
- What food do I need for a camping campfire night?
- Plan 4–6 marshmallows per person and enough bread or other roasting food for one serving per guest. Add snacks for the full evening, plus aluminium foil and serving utensils if food will be warmed or shared.
- How many drinks should I buy for a campfire night?
- Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and 1 drink per person for each hour after that. Include water for every guest and chill the drinks several hours before people arrive.
- How much seating do I need for a camping campfire night?
- Provide one folding chair or a clear place on a picnic blanket for every guest, with around 10% extra seating if possible. Add cushions if guests will sit outside for more than two hours.
- When should I buy firewood and check the campsite rules?
- Check the fire-safety rules at least 7 days before the event, then buy or reserve dry firewood and kindling no later than 2–3 days beforehand. Store the wood under cover until the fire is ready.
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