What you need for a puzzle contest

A puzzle contest needs more than puzzle booklets. You will need a complete paper trail for each round, spare writing supplies, visible team and table numbers, and a simple way to track scores without delays. Plan materials by participant or team, then add extras for late registrations, mistakes and lost pens. This shopping list covers the practical items that are easy to overlook, from envelope sets and clipboards to tiebreaker materials, prizes and equipment for announcements.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 70
Registration desk
Prize table

Game materials

Puzzle bookletsqty 70
Answer formsqty 210
Score sheetsqty 20
Tie-breaker puzzlesqty 10
Pensqty 80
Pencilsqty 80
Erasersqty 30
Pencil sharpenersqty 10
Team number cardsqty 20
Name badgesqty 70
Clipboardsqty 20
Envelopesqty 80
Suggestion boxesqty 4
Calculatorsqty 10
Stopwatchesqty 3
Whiteboard
Whiteboard markersqty 6
Paper cutter
Staplersqty 2
Staplesqty 2
Tapeqty 4
Writing paperqty 500
Prizesqty 3
Trophy

Equipment

Speaker
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 4
Laptop
Printer

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 70
Drinking glassesqty 70
Platesqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 70
Serving spoonsqty 6
Pitchersqty 6

Kitchen

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Serving traysqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 2
Bread knivesqty 2

Cleaning

Trash binsqty 4
Broom
Dustpan and brush
Mopqty 2
Bucketqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 12
Round signsqty 4
Directional signsqty 10

Lighting

Table lampsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 100 bags
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Snacks - 3 bags
- Popcorn - 3 bags
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Cream cheese - 2 kilograms
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilograms
- Wraps - 80 pieces
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Hummus wrap filling - 2 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 6 kilogram
- Green salad - 4 kilograms
- Salad Dressing - 4 Bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper cups - 100 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Prepare one puzzle booklet, answer form and score sheet per team for every round, then add at least 10% extra copies for printing errors, damaged pages and late changes.
Buy or bring at least two pens per team, plus pencils, erasers and sharpeners. Pencils are useful for answer sheets that may need corrections, while spare pens prevent a stalled team from interrupting the round.
Use one envelope per round and team if materials must stay hidden. Sort the puzzle booklets, answer forms and tiebreaker puzzles before the contest rather than during registration.
Plan one clipboard per team if tables are crowded or teams move between rounds. Keep tape, staples, a stapler and a paper cutter at the registration desk for last-minute repairs.
Set aside a separate prize table and check every prize and trophy at least one day before the contest. Keep the microphone, speaker, stopwatches and whiteboard markers tested and ready before participants arrive.

Frequently asked questions

What stationery do I need for a puzzle contest?: For each team, provide puzzle booklets, answer forms, score sheets and at least two pens. Add pencils, erasers and sharpeners, plus 10% extra paper copies and writing supplies for replacements.
How many puzzle copies should I print?: Print one booklet and one answer form per team for each round. Add 10% extra copies, and keep a separate set of tiebreaker puzzles so you do not need to photocopy during the contest.
What equipment is needed to run a puzzle contest?: You need stopwatches for timing, a whiteboard and markers for instructions or scores, and a speaker and microphone if the room is large. Test the audio and timing equipment at least 30 minutes before registration starts.
When should I buy prizes for a puzzle contest?: Order prizes and the trophy at least two weeks before the contest, allowing time for delivery or corrections. Check the complete set at least one day before the event and keep it together at the prize table.

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