What to Buy and Bring for a Beach Day

A beach day needs more than food and sunscreen. Plan for shade, wind, cold drinks, easy-to-serve food and activities that work on sand. For a group of 10 people, allow around 20 sandwiches, 30 pieces of fruit and 20 to 30 drinks for a full day, adjusting for age and weather. Pack reusable tableware, coolers with ice packs, and a few backup games so the day does not depend on one activity.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 4
Folding chairsqty 20
Picnic blanketsqty 6
Beach umbrellasqty 4
Windbreaksqty 3
Parasol basesqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 30
Reusable bowlsqty 20
Reusable cupsqty 40
Reusable cutleryqty 30
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 4

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Ice packsqty 16
Cutting boardsqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 3
Bread basketsqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 3

Equipment

Portable speaker
Power banksqty 3

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 3
Battery lanternsqty 4

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 2
Beach volleyballsqty 2
Frisbeesqty 3
Badminton setsqty 2
Beach bucketsqty 4
Inflatable beach ballsqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 3
Tableclothsqty 4
Balloonsqty 30

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Hand brushes and dustpanqty 2
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 6
First aid kit

Catering

Groceries
- White baguettes - 6 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 4 loaves
- Wraps - 30 pieces
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilogram
- Back ham - 1 kilogram
- Smoked chicken breast - 1 kilogram
- Smoked salmon - 600 grams
- Egg - 20 pieces
- Herb cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Red onion - 4 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Celery - 2 heads
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 20 pieces
- Bananas - 20 pieces
- Melons - 3 pieces
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 1 kilogram
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Pesto sauce - 3 jars
- Yogurt dressing - 3 bottles
- Herb salt - 1 jar
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 30 pieces
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Long-life milk - 6 liters
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 3 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- fruit juice - 6 cartons
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Sunscreen - 6 bottles
- After-sun lotion - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 2 dispensers
- Hand gel - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces

Tips

Allow two to three drinks per person for the first few hours, then add extra water for the rest of the day. Chill drinks in the coolers before leaving and pack separate ice packs to keep food cold.
Bring shade for at least one-third of the group at a time. Set up beach umbrellas with stable parasol bases and add windbreaks before unpacking food, because wind can quickly scatter plates, napkins and decorations.
Prepare sandwiches and cut fruit no more than 4 hours before serving. Use serving platters, tongs and bread baskets so people can serve themselves without handling shared food.
Pack about one active game for every 4 to 6 people, such as a football, beach volleyball, frisbee or badminton set. Add beach buckets and inflatable beach balls for younger children or less competitive activities.
Charge the portable speaker and power banks the evening before, and pack battery lanterns or LED string lights if the group may stay after sunset. Check beach rules and the forecast at least 24 hours before departure.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a beach day?: For 10 people, plan on about 20 sandwiches, 30 pieces of fruit and 2 to 3 shared snack portions per person. Add more if the beach day lasts longer than 6 hours or includes active sports.
How many drinks should I bring to the beach?: Bring 2 to 3 drinks per person for the first few hours, plus extra water for the full day. For 10 people, that usually means at least 20 to 30 drinks, with more in hot weather.
How long before a beach day should I buy the food?: Buy drinks, packaged snacks and non-perishable supplies 1 to 2 days ahead. Buy fresh fruit and prepare sandwiches on the same day, ideally no more than 4 hours before eating.
What should I pack to keep food cold at the beach?: Use at least one cooler for every 8 to 10 people, filled with chilled food and several frozen ice packs. Keep the coolers closed and place them in shade; replace or add ice packs if the day lasts longer than 6 hours.

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