What to buy for an outdoor weekend

An outdoor weekend needs more than tents and sleeping bags. This shopping list covers shelter, camping gear, cooking equipment, reusable tableware, seating and simple activities for the group. Check the number of participants before shopping, then match four-person tents, sleeping places and tableware to the final registrations. Buy chilled food as close to departure as possible, and check fuel, coolers and cooking equipment before loading the cars.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 36
Beer tablesqty 4

Camping equipment

Tents for four peopleqty 8
Air mattressesqty 32
Sleeping bagsqty 32
Cushionsqty 32
Ground tarpsqty 8
Herringqty 80
Hammerqty 4
Picnic blanketqty 6

Kitchen

Gas burnersqty 3
Gas cylindersqty 4
Cooking potsqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 6
Pliersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable bowlsqty 40
Reusable cupsqty 80
Reusable cutleryqty 40
Mugsqty 40

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 2
Volleyball net
Volleyballqty 2
Frisbeesqty 4
Tug of war rope
Conesqty 20

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Lanternsqty 6
Headlampsqty 12

Equipment

Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Power banksqty 6

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 6
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Whistlesqty 6

Cleaning

Washing-up tubsqty 3
Washing-up basinsqty 6
Spongesqty 12
Hand broomsqty 3
Trash binsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Oatmeal - 3 kilograms
- Muesli - 2 kilograms
- Yogurt - 8 liter
- Milk - 8 liters
- Plant-based drink - 4 liters
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Bread - 12 loaves
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Croissants - 36 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 1 kilogram
- Ham - 1.5 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 1,5 kilogram
- Hummus - 1.5 kilograms
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Eggs - 60 pieces
- Bacon cubes - 2 kilograms
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Hamburgers - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 52 pieces
- Hot dogs - 40 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 40 pieces
- Chicken satay - 3 kilograms
- Vegetarian skewers - 2 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Courgettes - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Onions - 2 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 5 kilograms
- Rice - 4 kilograms
- Pasta sauce - 5 liters
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Paprika powder - 1 can
- Italian herbs - 1 canister
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 24 bottles
- Fruit juice - 12 packs
- Beer - 8 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Wine - 12 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Chocolate bars - 36 pieces
- Napkins - 6 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Lighters - 6 pieces
- Charcoal - 6 bags

Tips

Plan one four-person tent for every four campers, then add a spare sleeping space if the group size does not divide evenly. Buy or bring one sleeping bag, pillow and groundsheet per person.
Allow two reusable plates, bowls, cups and sets of cutlery per person if you will serve more than one meal before washing up. Pack mugs separately for hot drinks so they are easy to find in the morning.
Use at least one cooler for drinks and one for food when the weekend includes several meals. Chill perishable food before departure and fill the coolers immediately before loading the cars.
Count cooking fuel against the number of hot meals, not just the number of people. Check every gas burner and cylinder before leaving, and pack two chopping boards if more than one person will prepare food.
Match shelter and seating to the weather forecast: provide a covered place for the group, plus enough folding chairs or benches for everyone who will eat at once. Pack the hammer and tent pegs with the tents rather than in a separate car.

Frequently asked questions

How many tents do I need for an outdoor weekend?: Use one four-person tent for every four people, rounding up when the group is smaller than a full tent. For 10 campers, that means three four-person tents and three sleeping places in the last tent.
How much tableware should I bring for a camping weekend?: Bring at least two reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery sets per person when you have multiple meals and limited washing-up time. Add one mug per person for breakfast or hot drinks.
How many coolers are needed for an outdoor weekend?: Plan on two coolers for a typical group: one for drinks and one for food. Chill food beforehand and load the food cooler just before departure; for a large group, add another cooler rather than packing everything tightly.
When should I buy food for an outdoor weekend?: Buy fresh and chilled food on the day before departure, or on the morning of departure if the journey is short. Store it chilled until the coolers are packed, and check dietary requirements before finalising the shopping list.

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