Tailgate Ideas for the Next Big Game
Top tailgating party ideas.
Tailgating is a favorite American pastime that is held on a game day and set up around either a truck with an open back or car trunk. The idea is that these vehicles serve as mini-party venues held in fields or parking lots outside of stadiums. These allow you to gather together and socialize outdoors while supporting your favorite team and enjoying the perks of a backyard barbeque. Here are our top tailgate ideas to help you go pro and knock things out of the ballpark.
Tailgate Party Ideas
Want to know how to throw a tailgate party but aren't sure where to begin? Food is a good starting point. More than anything, you want to keep things as simple as possible, which is why bringing pre-cooked food is all that much easier. Below are our top tailgate food ideas to get you started. From there, we have all the tailgating party ideas you need to set up and enjoy your treats while your friends and family gather around.
1. Prep Your Food
Should you prefer to go with cooked food, storage containers will help you transport your treats with ease (this includes uncooked items too). Pick things that don't need to be served hot and can easily be eaten standing up or off your lap. Chicken wings, sliders, and sandwiches are top contenders for typical tailgate ready-to-eats. For more recipes, read our guide Blog Spotlight: Game Day Recipes.
Hot dogs are a fairly low-effort tailgating meal you can heat without too much trouble. A hotdog cooker will keep those wieners warm until it's time to eat. Some models will even toast your buns for you, so you can serve these traditional treats as freshly made as possible.
If you don't know how to throw a tailgate party without your barbecue, you'll want to keep things as simple as possible. Prepare all your meats beforehand – form any patties and skewers, season or marinate anything you need to, and chop up those veggies, so you simply have to cook them up and you're good to go. If the BBQ is a little cumbersome, an electric grill will do the trick just as well.
Any food items you want to keep chilled should go into a cooler. Depending on the size of your party and amount of meals you'll be bringing, you can pick from a picnic cooler (ideal for snacks), ice chest (good for drinks), or even a chair cooler (for double-duty convenience). Having a separate cooler for chilled food and drinks is also helpful for keeping things hassle-free.
Tip!
If you can use a different cooler for raw meat, you should do so. Alternatively, make sure to thoroughly wrap and store them to prevent any juices from running out.
To be able to barbecue, you will need to bring along a few cooking tools. Your tongs, spatula, and meat fork are just some essentials you might want to include (depending on what you plan on making, of course). Serving utensils are also vital for things like salad, cheese, and dessert if you are so inclined.
You'll need serveware, whether for your snacks or cooked meat. Divided serving dishes are ideal for a variety of snacks (chip and dip bowls are great too), cheese boards are great for any charcuterie, platters will work for any cooked meat or foods you have prepared, and don't forget those condiment servers so everyone can make their meals exactly to their liking.
Unless you bring only finger foods, cutlery is another necessity you simply cannot do without. Knives, forks, spoons, as well as plates, are all vital to enjoying your delicious tailgating treats. To make things easier on yourself, pick from our stunning selection of disposable tableware so you don't have to worry about anything breaking, getting lost, or lugging dishes back to wash at home. We even offer sports-party tableware options to match the theme!
No tailgate party ideas are complete without some sort of drink storage. Since you'll be outdoors, hydrating is non-negotiable, so keep those thirst-quenchers cool with a beverage tub. You'll be able to provide an assortment of refreshments no matter your preferences, all while in easy reach. When you're done, simply toss that ice and use the bucket to store any leftovers you're taking back home.
For those cars that don't have a tailgate, you can just as easily set up a folding picnic table to place your spread on. You'll have a lot more space available for all your goodies. Don't forget to add an umbrella or a canopy for some much-needed shade while you enjoy your time outdoors.
You probably don't want to spend the duration of your entire tailgate standing, so be sure to pack a camping chair or two. The beauty of these chairs is how small they can fold up, making them extremely convenient for tailgating parties. Many of these camper seats come with additional features like a canopy or even a reclining function for some added relaxation.
No tailgate party ideas would be complete without the addition of the timeless cornhole. Just another one of those true American favorites, this game is perfect for both larger and smaller groups, allowing everyone to divide into teams for some good old fashioned friendly competition. If cornhole doesn't do it for you, we have a number of other outdoor games to pick from including bocce ball, ladder ball, and a range of giant board games.
Tip!
Read Make the Most of Good Weather With 14 of the Best Outdoor Games to see what else we have to offer.
No matter if you use all, or only a few of these tailgate ideas, you are sure to take your party to the next level.
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