What to Buy for a Game Night

A good game night needs more than a stack of board games. Plan drinks and snacks for the full evening, plus enough cups, plates and serving dishes for guests to help themselves without interrupting a round. Check that every game has its pieces, rules and scoring supplies before people arrive. You will also need practical items for separate game corners, a buffet and a reception table, especially if guests bring coats or dietary requirements.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 32
Buffet table
Coat racksqty 2

Game materials

Board gamesqty 12
Card gamesqty 6
Party gamesqty 5
Puzzlesqty 3
Diceqty 20
Score padsqty 6
Pensqty 30
Hourglassesqty 4
Game placematsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 40
Platesqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Coffee cupsqty 25
Small bowlsqty 12
Serving boardsqty 4
Pitcherqty 3

Kitchen

Coolersqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 2
Bread knivesqty 2
Serving tongsqty 4

Equipment

Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 2

Lighting

Table lampsqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Buntingqty 2
Name badgesqty 35
Directional signsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Broom
Dustpan and brush
Mop
Bucket

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Lemon - 4 pieces
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Beer - 24 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Tortilla chips - 3 bags
- Savory snacks - 2 bags
- Pretzel sticks - 2 bags
- Popcorn - 2 bags
- Toasts - 4 packs
- Crackers - 3 packs
- Hummus - 3 tubs
- Cream cheese - 2 tubs
- Brie - 2 pieces
- Young cheese - 1 kilogram
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 20 pieces
- Cucumber - 4 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilogram
- Mini wraps - 40 pieces
- Chicken breast spread - 500 grams
- Egg salad - 3 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Olives - 2 jars
- Mini brownies - 40 pieces
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Chocolate - 6 bars
- Ice cubes - 5 kilogram
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Cleaning spray - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Tea towels - 8 pieces

Tips

Allow around two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill drinks in coolers before guests arrive and keep a pitcher available for water.
Provide one reusable cup, plate and cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Small bowls, serving boards and tongs make snacks easier to share without placing food directly on game tables.
Give each game corner its own pens, score pads, dice, hourglasses or other accessories before the first round starts. Put spare pieces and borrowed games in a clearly marked box so they do not get mixed up.
Set up one table for the buffet and another for registration or welcoming guests. Keep coats away from the game areas with coat racks, and leave enough space between tables for people to move around.
Test the Bluetooth speaker, extension cords and table lamps before guests arrive, ideally at least 30 minutes in advance. Good lighting matters for small cards, score pads and game pieces, especially in the corners furthest from the main lights.

Frequently asked questions

How many games do I need for a game night?: Plan for one main game per scheduled round, plus two or three backup games in case a group finishes early or a game does not suit the number of players. Check every box at least one day before the event.
How much food and drink should I buy for game night?: For drinks, allow two to three per person during the first hour and one per person for every hour after that. For snacks, prepare about 150 to 250 grams per person for an evening, with extra options if guests have dietary requirements.
How many cups and plates do I need for a game night?: Prepare one cup, plate and cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra. For 20 guests, that means at least 22 of each, so you are covered when something is dropped or left at the buffet.
When should I set up the games and buffet?: Set up tables, chairs, game corners and the buffet at least 60 minutes before guests arrive. Finish chilling drinks and testing equipment no later than 30 minutes beforehand, leaving time to check rules and missing pieces.

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