What to bring for a quiz picnic

A quiz picnic needs more than picnic food and a stack of questions. You need a dry, workable setup for teams, clear scoring materials, and enough serving equipment for food and drinks outdoors. Plan seating and table space around your team size, then check power, shade and refrigeration before shopping. This list covers the practical items that are easy to overlook, from spare pens and extension cords to coolers and a reliable way to display the quiz.

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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 48
Picnic blanketsqty 8
Buffet tablesqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable cupsqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 8
Pouring jugsqty 6

Equipment

Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Portable speaker
Wireless microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4

Quiz materials

Answer cardsqty 12
Score sheetsqty 12
Quiz bookletsqty 12
Pensqty 60
Whiteboard
Whiteboard markersqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Tableclothsqty 8
Name badgesqty 50
Scoreboard signsqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Rechargeable lanternsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Dishpanqty 2
Hand brush and dustpanqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- White pistolets - 50 pieces
- Multigrain bread - 4 loaves
- Baguettes - 6 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 2,5 kilogram
- Back ham - 1,5 kilogram
- Chicken breast topping - 1.5 kilograms
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 750 grams
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 1.5 kilogram
- Carrots - 1,5 kilogram
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Mixed salads - 4 bags
- Potato salad - 3 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 3 kilograms
- Olives - 3 jars
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Watermelons - 2 pieces
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 48 pieces
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Mints - 1 box
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Limes - 12 pieces
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Allow one answer card and one score sheet per team, plus at least 10% extra. For 10 teams, pack 11 cards and 11 score sheets so a lost or damaged sheet does not interrupt the quiz.
Plan at least one table for every four to six teams if teams need writing space. Keep separate buffet tables for food and drinks so answer sheets stay away from spills.
Take enough pens for every participant who may write at the same time, then add a handful of spares. Pens are one of the first items to disappear during a picnic quiz.
Test the laptop, projector, projection screen, speaker and microphone together before leaving. Pack extension cords and power strips, and check that the setup reaches the quiz area without creating a trip hazard.
Keep perishable food and drinks cold until serving with coolers, and use thermos flasks for hot drinks. If the forecast is uncertain, arrange party tents before the event rather than waiting for rain.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a quiz picnic?: Bring food and drink serving equipment, reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery, plus tables, chairs or picnic blankets. For the quiz, allow one answer card, score sheet and pen per team, with at least 10% spare. You may also need a laptop, projector, screen, speaker, microphone and power supplies.
How many pens do I need for a picnic quiz?: Provide one pen for each person who may write during a round, or at least two to three pens per team for a typical team of four to six. Add 10% extra and pack spares separately so one missing pen does not delay scoring.
How many tables are needed for a quiz picnic?: Plan one writing table for every four to six teams, depending on team size and the space available. Add separate buffet and drinks tables, so a group with 10 teams will usually need at least two quiz tables plus food-service tables.
When should I check the quiz picnic shopping list?: Check it about one week before the picnic, then shop for perishable food and drinks one to two days beforehand. Test the quiz equipment and count printed materials at least 24 hours before setup, and check the weather forecast again on the morning of the event.

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