What you need for a history quiz

A history quiz needs more than questions and answer sheets. Plan the room, drinks, snacks, presentation equipment and table materials around the number of teams and players attending. Each team needs a clear place to write, see the questions and submit answers, while the registration desk and buffet need their own supplies. Use this shopping list to check what must be bought, borrowed or collected before quiz night, especially the items people often leave until the last minute.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 48
Registration desk
Buffet tableqty 2

Tableware

Reusable glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 40
Platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving bowlsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 6

Equipment

Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Kitchen

Coolersqty 3
Coffee maker
Kettle
Thermos flasksqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 2
Kitchen knivesqty 2
Serving utensilsqty 6

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
History postersqty 8
Table numbersqty 6

Materials

Quiz bookletsqty 48
Answer sheetsqty 240
Score sheetsqty 12
Ballpoint pensqty 60
Pencilsqty 12
Pen holdersqty 6
Calculatorsqty 3
Prizesqty 3
Name stickersqty 60

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea bags - 80 pieces
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Mineral water - 24 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Ham - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Butter - 500 grams
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1.5 kilos
- Carrots - 1 kilo
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salted peanuts - 2 bags
- Savory snacks - 2 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 48 pieces
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Cleaning cloths - 10 pieces
- Hand soap - 2 bottles

Tips

Count teams before buying or printing anything. Prepare one quiz booklet, answer sheet and score sheet per team, then add at least 10% extra copies for damaged or missing sheets.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person for each following hour. Chill drinks in the coolers early; a full cooler may need several hours before everything is cold.
Check the presentation setup at least one day ahead. Test the laptop, projector, screen, speakers, microphone, extension cords and power strips together rather than discovering a connection problem at the start.
Set out one table number and a complete writing pack at every team table before guests arrive. Keep spare answer sheets, pens and score sheets at the registration desk instead of in a storage room.
Do not leave coffee service until the break. Fill the thermos flasks before the quiz starts and place cups, plates, cutlery and serving utensils with the buffet so volunteers are not searching for them while a round is running.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a history quiz night?: You need quiz booklets, answer sheets, score sheets, tables, chairs and table numbers, plus a laptop, projector, screen, speakers and microphone if questions are presented. Also prepare drinks, snacks, servingware and a registration desk.
How many quiz sheets should I print per team?: Print one quiz booklet, one answer sheet and one score sheet per team for each quiz session. Add at least 10% extra copies, or two to three spare sets for a small quiz, in case sheets are lost or damaged.
How much food and drink do I need for a history quiz?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by about one per person per additional hour. For snacks, provide roughly 150–200 grams per person for a quiz lasting two to three hours, with extra options for registered dietary requirements.
When should I test the quiz equipment?: Test the laptop, projector, screen, speakers, microphone and all cables at least 24 hours before the quiz. Do a second five-minute check 30 minutes before guests arrive, when the equipment is connected in its final position.

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