What to Buy for a Games Afternoon

A games afternoon needs more than board games and snacks. Plan the serving supplies, drinks, game materials and equipment before guests arrive, especially if several games run at once. Check which games are already available, reserve missing items and buy refreshments early enough to chill them. This list helps you organise the practical details, from reusable cups and buffet supplies to scoreboards, cables and prizes.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 42
Buffet tablesqty 2
Coat racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Platesqty 50
Bowlsqty 20
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 12

Game materials

Board gamesqty 12
Card gamesqty 8
Diceqty 20
Game cardsqty 10
Conesqty 60
Scoreboardsqty 8
Buzzersqty 4
Dartboard
Ring toss set
Jenga

Equipment

Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 3

Kitchen

Coffee maker
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 3
Coolersqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 3

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Buntingqty 6
Balloonsqty 40

Lighting

String lightsqty 3
LED lampsqty 6

Cleaning

Broom
Mop set

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea bags - 80 pieces
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Coffee creamer - 4 packs
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Iced tea - 3 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Beer - 48 cans
- Alcohol-free pilsner - 12 cans
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 2 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 3 cartons
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Salty breadsticks - 3 bags
- Popcorn - 3 bags
- Cookies - 5 packs
- Chocolate bars - 30 pieces
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 20 pieces
- Grapes - 4 tubs
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 trays
- Carrots - 3 bags
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Wraps - 5 packs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Ham - 1,5 kilo
- Chicken breast slices - 1.5 kilos
- Vegetarian spread - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Lettuce - 4 heads
- Pesto - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Pasta salad - 5 tubs
- Potato salad - 4 tubs
- Vegetarian quiche - 4 pieces
- Mini meatballs - 4 trays
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Olives - 4 jars
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Cocktail sticks - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Cleaning wipes - 2 packs

Tips

Plan at least one reusable cup and one plate per guest, plus 10% extra for replacements. Add bowls, serving platters and cutlery sets before setting up the buffet.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill the drinks several hours ahead and keep extra bottles in coolers.
Check the game file at least one week before the afternoon. Reserve missing board games, card games or special equipment early, particularly buzzers, a dartboard and a ring toss set.
Prepare one score sheet or scoreboard for every active game area. Test the laptop, projector, projection screen, Bluetooth speaker and extension cords before guests arrive.
Set aside prizes and game cards at least one day in advance, and wrap the prizes before setup begins. Keep cones, dice and other small pieces in labelled containers so nothing disappears between rounds.

Frequently asked questions

How many cups and plates do I need for a games afternoon?: Allow one reusable cup and one plate per guest, plus 10% extra. For 20 guests, prepare at least 22 cups and 22 plates, along with enough bowls, cutlery and serving platters for the buffet.
How much food and drink should I buy for a games afternoon?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one per person for every extra hour. For food, provide a buffet with enough portions for each guest and keep dietary requirements collected before shopping.
When should I check the games and reserve missing equipment?: Check the game file at least one week before the event. Reserve missing games and specialised items as soon as you know they are unavailable, then test electronic equipment the day before.
What equipment do I need for quiz games and scorekeeping?: For a quiz, prepare game cards or questions, one scoreboard per active team or game area, and buzzers if the format uses them. If questions are projected, test the laptop, projector, screen, speaker and extension cords at least 24 hours beforehand.

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