What to Buy for a Nursing Home Bingo Night

Plan the shopping around a seated evening with several bingo rounds, refreshments and easy access for residents and staff. You will need more than bingo cards: spare cards, clearly labelled prizes, serving equipment, hot drinks supplies and reliable sound equipment all affect how smoothly the night runs. Check registrations and dietary requirements before buying food, and confirm the room layout before deciding how many tables, chairs and wheelchair spaces are needed.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 3
Coat racksqty 2

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 60
Drinking glassesqty 60
Soup bowlsqty 60
Platesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving traysqty 4

Game materials

Bingo cage
Bingo ballsqty 90
Bingo cardsqty 180
Bingo cardsqty 3000
Spare cardsqty 30
Prizesqty 20

Equipment

Wireless microphone
Speaker
Kettleqty 2
Coffee makerqty 2
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 6
Soup kettlesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Coolersqty 3

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Bingo buntingqty 3
Balloonsqty 40
Name badgesqty 60
Round signsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mop headsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6
Hand sanitizer holdersqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Black tea - 4 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Hot chocolate - 2 kilograms
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 8 liters
- Lactose-free milk - 2 liters
- Coffee creamer - 500 grams
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Lemonade syrup - 2 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Tomato soup - 6 liters
- Vegetable soup - 4 liters
- Breadsticks - 4 packs
- White rolls - 60 pieces
- Gluten-free rolls - 8 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Back ham - 1,5 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Jam - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 3 bags
- Butter cookies - 5 packs
- Speculaas - 4 packs
- Cake - 4 pieces
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Mandarins - 4 kilogram
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 6 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Toilet paper - 3 packs
- Liquid hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Prepare at least one bingo card per participant, then add spare cards for damaged or misplaced cards. Counting the cards before the evening prevents delays when participants arrive.
Buy and label one prize for each planned winning round, plus a few extra small prizes in case two people call bingo together. Keep the prizes together so staff can hand them out quickly.
Plan hot drinks and soup around the confirmed attendance, with enough cups, bowls, plates and cutlery for one full serving round plus a small reserve. Check dietary requirements before buying snacks or soup.
Test the bingo cage, balls, microphone and speaker before shopping is finished, and make sure extension cords and power strips reach the playing area without crossing wheelchair routes.
Keep drinks chilled ahead of time and set out tablecloths, serving platters and trays before participants arrive. A separate buffet table keeps food and bingo materials from competing for space.

Frequently asked questions

How many bingo cards do I need for a nursing home bingo night?: Prepare one card for every registered participant and keep at least 10% extra as spares. For 40 participants, that means 44 cards, rounded up, so replacements are available.
How many prizes should I buy for bingo night?: Buy one prize for every planned winning round, then add two or three extra prizes for ties or damaged items. If you plan eight rounds, prepare 10 or 11 prizes.
How much food and drink should I buy for a nursing home bingo night?: Use the confirmed registration list as your base and add about 10% for staff and unexpected attendees. For 40 people, plan servings for roughly 44 people, including hot drinks, soup or snacks.
When should I prepare the bingo equipment and refreshments?: Test the bingo equipment at least one day before the event and chill drinks several hours ahead. Set up the buffet, hot-drink equipment and bingo materials 30 to 45 minutes before participants arrive.

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