What to Buy for a Games Afternoon

A games afternoon needs more than board games and playing cards. Plan the supplies that keep each station running: timers, scoreboards, pens, game component bins and visible rules. For refreshments, prepare reusable cups, plates, cutlery, serving trays and small bowls, plus chilled drinks and hot drinks. Check registrations and dietary requirements before shopping so snacks and drinks match the number of guests rather than an estimate.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 50
Tableclothsqty 8
Coat racksqty 2

Game materials

Board gamesqty 20
Card gamesqty 10
Puzzlesqty 6
Diceqty 30
Game component binsqty 20
Kitchen timersqty 6
Scoreboardsqty 8
Prizesqty 20
Conesqty 50
Playing card holdersqty 10

Writing supplies

Whiteboardsqty 4
Whiteboard markersqty 16
Pensqty 30
Notepadsqty 10

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Balloonsqty 50
Tapeqty 4
Name stickersqty 60

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving traysqty 6
Small bowlsqty 12

Kitchen

Kettlesqty 2
Coffee thermosesqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Pizza cutterqty 2
Kitchen knivesqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mop setsqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 4

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 3 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 2 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Cocoa powder - 1 pack
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Salted pretzels - 3 bags
- Popcorn - 3 bags
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 4 boxes
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 4 bunches
- Cucumber - 4 pieces
- Carrots - 3 bags
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Crackers - 5 packs
- Pizza dough - 12 bases
- Tomato sauce - 6 jars
- Grated cheese - 3 kilos
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Mushrooms - 1 kilo
- Corn - 4 cans
- Ham - 1 kilo
- Olives - 3 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces

Tips

Count one reusable cup, plate and cutlery set per guest, then add 10% spare supplies for replacements and late arrivals. Set out small bowls for snacks at each serving point.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill drinks in coolers before guests arrive rather than during setup.
Prepare one pen and one notepad for every game station, with at least two spare sets at the reception desk. Keep whiteboard markers with the whiteboards so scores and rules can be updated immediately.
Put each game’s pieces in a labelled game component bin before setup. This prevents missing dice, cards or puzzle parts from being discovered only when a round starts.
Buy or prepare prizes and game cards at least three days before the afternoon. Keep prizes together with the scoreboards so the winning results can be checked and handed out without searching.

Frequently asked questions

What supplies do I need for a games afternoon?: Plan games, puzzles, dice, game component bins, timers, scoreboards, pens and notepads for the stations. You will also need tableware, serving trays, bowls, drinks, snacks and prizes; the exact quantities depend on your guest count and number of stations.
How many cups and plates should I buy for a games afternoon?: Provide one cup and one plate per guest, plus 10% extra. For 30 guests, that means at least 33 cups and 33 plates, along with 33 cutlery sets.
When should I prepare the games and scorecards?: Check the game inventory and prepare scorecards at least one day before the event. Label game materials and test timers, whiteboards and markers no later than the morning of the games afternoon.
How much food and drink do I need for a games afternoon?: For drinks, allow two to three per person during the first hour and one per person for every later hour. Buy snacks according to the guest count and dietary requirements, and finish shopping at least one day beforehand so drinks can be chilled.

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