How To Throw A Great Tailgate Party On A Budget

Throwing a tailgate party on a budget doesn't have to be hard, and it can still be fun and enjoyable for everyone involved. Whether you're throwing the party for friends, family, or just yourself, there are some simple steps to ensure that your tailgate party is successful.

Tips To Throw A Great Tailgate Party On A Budget

First, determine how much money you want to spend on your tailgate party. A good rule of thumb is to keep it under $50 per person, but depending on the size of your group you may need to adjust accordingly. You can start by deciding what food and drinks you want to provide and use that as a starting point for creating your budget.

Tailgate Party Food & Drink Essentials

car full of tailgate food

When it comes to food at tailgate parties, there is a wide variety of options that can fit any budget. A popular choice for grilling are hamburgers and hot dogs, which are easy to cook and can be personalized with condiments and toppings. Other dishes like wings, macaroni and cheese bites, potato skins with cheese sauce or bacon bits, sandwiches, bratwurst with sauerkraut, veggie platters, fruit trays and popcorn chicken - all make great additions to your tailgating menu.

In addition to savory options, sweet treats are always a hit! Cookies and cupcakes in team colors are a fun way to show your spirit while adding delicious desserts. If you're looking for something more creative than traditional cookies or cupcakes, try making gameday themed goodies like football shaped sugar cookies or cupcake toppers shaped like helmets and jerseys.

Making sure there's plenty of drinks is key for any tailgate party. Have some large coolers filled with ice at the ready so everyone can keep their drinks nice and cool. You could even have a signature drink that reflects the team colors or mascot if you want something extra special.

No matter what type of food you serve at your tailgate party make sure you provide enough for everyone invited - along with plenty of delicious snacks throughout the day! And don't forget basic supplies such as utensils, plates, napkins, cups and garbage bags for cleanup when the party ends. With these basics covered you'll be ready to enjoy an amazing tailgating experience that won't break the bank!

Have Fun With Tailgate Party Games

Once all of the food and drinks have been chosen now it’s time for some fun games! Tailgating games such as cornhole (also known as baggo) or ladder toss are perfect for a low-budget party since they don’t require any electricity or special equipment, all you need are the sets themselves plus some friends!

Cornhole Is The Most Popular Tailgate Game

ttech red raiders cornhole

Cornhole is a classic game that has been around for generations, and it's perfect for playing at a tailgate party. Cornhole can be played by two teams of two players each, or four individual players. The goal of the game is to toss bean bags onto a slanted platform with a hole in the center. If a player gets their bag into the hole they get three points, while if they get it on the board they get one point. The team or player with the most points after all the rounds have been completed wins!

Playing cornhole at a tailgate party can add an extra layer of fun and competition to your pre-game celebration. First, you'll need to find an open area large enough for the game. If you don't have cornhole boards available, you can make them yourself using wood or even cardboard boxes with cutouts for holes. Once you have your boards set up, grab some bean bags (or fill small fabric bags with dried beans, rice or another soft filling). Each team gets four bags to toss from opposite sides of the board. The closer to the hole they get, the more points they score! You can even host your own cornhole tournament at the next tailgate. If you do, make sure you have a great set of tailgate cornhole boards.

Playing cornhole at a tailgate party doesn't just provide an opportunity for some friendly competition, it's also a great way to socialize and bond with everyone in attendance. As each team takes their turn throwing bean bags, everyone else can cheer them on while enjoying some food and drinks. And once one round is complete, everyone rotates so that new teams can challenge each other in head-to-head battles!

Tailgating isn't just about food and drinks, it's also about having fun and creating memories that will last long after the game ends! So why not incorporate cornhole into your next pre-game celebration? With simple setup and no special equipment required, it's easy to enjoy this time-honored tradition with friends both old and new. Plus, when played correctly it offers an exciting challenge that will keep everyone entertained until kickoff time! If you are looking to support your favorite school or team at the next tailgate party, check out our line of Officially Licensed Cornhole Boards and Accessories!

Ladder Toss Is Also A Tailgate Staple Game

Ladder toss is another popular tailgating game that requires little setup and no special equipment. Unlike cornhole, which involves throwing bean bags, ladder toss is a game of skill and accuracy involving tossing two pieces of rope attached to weighted objects called “bola”. The goal is to land the bolas on any of the rungs of the ladder from a set distance away.

The idea behind ladder toss is that two teams take turns trying to hit individual rungs of a tall ladder with their bolas. The team that lands the most bolas on a single round gets one point, while hitting all three rungs in one turn earns three points. Once each team has taken their turn, they move onto the next round and continue competing until one team reaches 21 points or more.

Although ladder toss may seem simple, it can be surprisingly competitive and challenging, especially when playing with more experienced players. To help keep things fair and exciting for everyone involved, it's important to set up each ladder according to its official rules: the ladders should always be placed 20 feet apart with at least five feet between them; both teams should have four bola each (two per person); and there should be equal distances between each of the ladder's three rungs.

The fun thing about playing ladder toss at a tailgate party is that anyone can join in regardless of their experience level or age. It's not only great for bonding among friends but also for introducing kids to an age-old game that helps develop their hand-eye coordination skills! And once everyone has had their fill of competition, you can even use the ladders as decorations or leave them out for anyone who wants to practice their aim!

So why not bring some excitement and friendly competition to your next tailgate party with a classic game like ladder toss? With its simple setup, all you need are two ladders, eight bolas and enough room to play. It’s easy to enjoy this time-honored tradition without breaking your budget! Plus, no matter who wins in the end, everyone will have fun bonding over friendly challenges while cheering on their favorite team!

Make Sure To Budget Ahead Of Time

No matter what type of event you are throwing, always remember that budgeting ahead of time is key! With careful planning anyone can host an amazing tailgate party without breaking the bank. Buy groceries in bulk whenever possible. Limit supplies like paper plates/cups/napkins if necessary. Shop around for deals on alcohol prices before committing. Talk with friends & family about what items they could contribute. If needed, reach out to local businesses who might offer discounts through their loyalty programs etc. All these ideas can help save money without sacrificing quality when hosting a tailgate party on a budget!

Get Ready To Host Your Next Tailgate Party Without Breaking The Bank

By following these steps you can have an enjoyable tailgate party without breaking the bank. So get planning today with lots of delicious food and drinks plus fun games like cornhole and ladder toss! With just a little bit of effort you'll be able to throw a budget-friendly gathering that everyone will enjoy. If you have any questions or would like to explore some great tailgate games to try, we've got you covered!

Back to blog