The checklist is largely considered to be one of the best tools for organizing and preparing for future occasions and events. Unfortunately, the checklist has earned a reputation as being best for boring, dry, and uninteresting experiences like an office meeting or cleaning your house. In reality, the checklist is as interesting as the day you’re planning. For instance, if you’re looking at organizing or attending a tailgating event, coming up with a checklist is more than just an important way to keep everything sorted: It’s also a way to get excited for the upcoming action and ensure you don’t run into any snags! At All American Tailgate, our experience at countless tailgating events has helped us come up with a list of items that make the ultimate party package. Our checklist has big items that are essential for the fun, such as a custom cornhole board, and smaller (but surprisingly important) items that help everything go off without a hitch. If you’re planning on hosting or attending a tailgating event in the near future, then give our list of the ultimate tailgating accessories a look. A little bit of pre-planning and preparation can help the fun go off as smoothly as possible!

Grab Your Boards: Why Great Tables Should Be At Every Tailgating Event

When we say ‘great tables’, your mind might stray to the dining room section of a furniture catalogue. Instead, think about timeless tailgating games: cornhole, beer pong, and table tennis. What do all of these things have in common? That’s right: they all need a table to be played correctly! One of the biggest mistakes a tailgater can make is to skimp out on their cornhole board or beer pong tables. Investing in a high quality custom cornhole board or a portable beer pong table is a smart move. Playing games like cornhole and beer pong are a major part of the tailgating experience, and it draws in old friends and newcomers alike. If you spend a lot of time on the road or visit multiple tailgating events, having a sturdy and strong board is absolutely essential. A custom board is also a smart investment as it’s an instant icebreaker, a memento of good times, and an expression of your personality and passions all in one. When you consider all of these factors, it’s obvious why high quality beer pong and cornhole boards top our list for tailgating essentials.

#1: Food and Drink: Empty Stomachs and Dry Mouths Are Not An Option!

If you follow the culinary scene, you probably know that American tailgating events host some of the most mouthwatering and delectable dishes around. No one expects you to prepare a Michelin Star ready spread, but at the same time, showing up empty handed is a recipe for disaster. After a few rounds at your cornhole boards, you’ll probably be yearning for something to munch on. Beer pong just isn’t complete without some beer. Hanging out under the hot sun all day can cause dehydration. Having a wide selection of food and drink is both a luxury and a necessity. Here are the ‘must have’ culinary items that should be at any tailgating event.

H20: Make Sure to Bring Oceans of Water

Dehydration is both insidious and dangerous. Many people will confuse thirst with hunger, but when you’re active in hot summer weather, your health is at risk. Bringing bottled water (or a cooler full of water) keeps guests hydrated and happy all day long. Juice is another alternative, and if you’re really giving it your all at the tailgating games, Gatorade might be a good pick.

Finger Foods & Salty Snacks

There’s a reason that many popular snack foods are ones you can eat without a fork and knife and are loaded with salt or sugar. While these yummy treats are bad for your waistline, they are expected at any sizable tailgating event. Chips and dip, pretzels, crackers, fries, onion rings, hummus, nuts, and popcorn are all examples of easy treats that will keep people satisfied.

Hearty and Filling Dinners

Having something that you can quickly gobble down is good, but as the day wears on, people’s stomachs will begin to rumble in earnest. Recipes like chili, burgers, steaks, or sandwiches all help keep tailgaters sated and ready to keep having a good time. Finicky recipes with long prep times or delicate recipes that fall apart are probably a bad idea, so make sure to pick something that’s suitable for the tailgating atmosphere.

Find Accessories That Help You Enjoy the Game

Tailgating is more than just a giant party; people are showing up to watch two teams duke it out in a test of strength, stamina, and speed. Therefore, you should bring some tools that help you enjoy the game. For instance, having a big screen TV in the back of your truck is awesome, but picking up a sturdy stand minimizes the risk that your precious TV will come to harm. There are also wireless routers, antenna, portable power systems and generators, and storage spaces that fit right in your trucks. Before long, you’ll have a set up that your living room will envy! Whether you want to watch the game, play a few rounds of video games in between matches, or even watch an impromptu movie, you’ll be covered.

If you take a look at our list above, you’ll find everything you need to have an awesome time at an upcoming tailgating event. Start off with a custom cornhole board or a portable beer pong table to set up games. From there, make sure you have the right food and drink to keep tailgaters happy and healthy throughout the entire event. Finally, check that you have all of the accessories you’ll need to gather around the game with your buds. With that taken care of, enjoying the event should be a snap. If you need to find a board that works for you and your crowd, check out All American Tailgate for high quality, durable, and American-made products!