How much do you need?
Change the guest count and the list updates.
| Main food | |
|---|---|
| Large pizzas (if over dinner) | 3 |
| Sides & snacks | |
| Chips & pretzels (bags) | 2 |
| Popcorn (bags) | 2 |
| Veggie tray | 1 |
| Desserts | |
| Cookies or candy (packs) | 2 |
| Drinks | |
| Soft drinks & seltzer (cans) | 24 |
| Water (bottles) | 8 |
| Ice (10 lb bags) | 1 |
| Gear & equipment | |
| Extra chairs | 2 |
| Plates & disposables | |
| Plates | 8 |
| Napkins | 32 |
| Cups | 16 |
| Games & activities | |
| Board or card games | 2 |
| Party game for the whole group | 1 |
| Scorepad & pens | 1 |
Rules of thumb for a typical get-together, rounded up. Adjust for your crowd.
Rules of thumb
- Snacks
- Finger food over full meals. Plan three to four snack servings per person over an evening. If it runs through dinner, add about 3 pizza slices each.
- Games
- One game per 4 to 6 players so groups can split up, plus one party game everyone can play together.
- Drinks
- Three to four per person over a long evening.
Planning timeline
A week before
- Send the link and ask everyone to claim a snack or a game.
- Check you have enough seats around the table.
The day before
- Check games have all their pieces and cards.
- Chill drinks.
On the day
- Set snacks on a side table, away from the game table.
- Start with a quick party game while people arrive.
Tips from people who’ve done it
- Ask each guest to bring a game they know well enough to teach in five minutes.
- Keep snacks on a separate table so the game table stays clean.
- Have a short game ready for the end of the night, when a long one won’t fit.
Common questions
How many games do I need for a game night?
One game for every 4 to 6 people, plus one party game that works for the whole group. For 10 people, three or four games is plenty.
What are the best snacks for game night?
Snacks that don’t leave greasy fingers: pretzels, popcorn, veggies and dip, candy and cookies. Save pizza and wings for breaks between games.
How many people is best for a game night?
Four to eight people keeps everyone in one or two games. Beyond that, plan to split into groups.