Game night shopping list

A good game night needs more than a stack of board games. You’ll need enough games and materials for different group sizes, plus snacks, drinks, tableware and a practical table setup. Plan the shopping around the number of guests and how long you’ll play: one game table may need its own dice, tokens, score pads and pens. Check dietary requirements before buying food, and chill drinks early so you are not dealing with warm bottles when guests arrive.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 36
Buffet tablesqty 2
Coat rack
Waste binsqty 4

Game materials

Board gamesqty 12
Card gamesqty 8
Diceqty 12
Game tokensqty 6
Hourglassesqty 6
Score padsqty 6
Pensqty 36
Prize ribbonsqty 12

Tableware

Glassesqty 48
Coffee cupsqty 36
Platesqty 48
Bowlsqty 12
Cutlery setsqty 36

Kitchen

Serving boardsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 2
Knivesqty 4

Equipment

Kettlesqty 2
Coffee maker
Coolersqty 3
Extension cordsqty 2

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Buntingqty 6
Name badgesqty 40

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Standing lampsqty 2

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Broom setsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Rood - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Tortilla chips - 3 bags
- Snacks - 3 bags
- Popcorn - 2 bags
- Snack nuts - 3 bags
- Rice cakes - 3 packs
- Crackers - 4 packs
- Baguettes - 6 pieces
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Ham - 1 kilo
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilo
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Mini sausages - 3 packs
- Mini pizzas - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian snacks - 40 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Sambal - 1 jar
- Cookies - 5 packs
- Brownies - 36 pieces
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Cleaning spray - 2 bottles
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Toilet paper - 2 packs

Tips

Plan one main game option for every 4–6 players, then add card games or smaller games for guests waiting between rounds. Check the rules before game night so missing pieces do not cause delays.
For snacks, prepare about 150–200 g of food per person for a three-hour evening, including both savoury and sweet options. Use bowls, serving boards and platters so food can stay away from the game pieces.
Allow at least 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then about 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Chill drinks several hours ahead and keep extra bottles in coolers rather than relying on the refrigerator.
Count tableware against your guest list: one glass, plate, bowl and cutlery set per person, plus roughly 10% extra. Coffee cups, a kettle and a coffee maker are easy to forget if the evening runs past dinner time.
Buy or gather practical setup supplies before the day itself, including tablecloths, name badges, waste bins and extension cords. Set up separate game corners and keep drinks away from the tables holding boards, cards and score pads.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a game night?: You need games suited to the group size, including board games, card games, dice, tokens, score pads and pens. Also plan snacks, drinks, glasses, plates, bowls, cutlery, serving items, tables, chairs and waste bins.
How many games should I have for game night?: Prepare at least 1 main game for every 4–6 players, plus 2–3 shorter card or party games as backups. This gives guests alternatives when a game ends early or does not suit the group.
How much food and drink do I need for game night?: Allow about 150–200 g of snacks per person for a three-hour evening. Buy 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and about 1 additional drink per person for every hour after that.
When should I buy and chill drinks for game night?: Buy non-perishable supplies several days ahead and do the main food shopping 1 day before the event. Chill drinks at least 4–6 hours before guests arrive; use coolers if the refrigerator does not have enough space.

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.