What to buy for a children’s activities afternoon
Use this shopping list to prepare a children’s activities afternoon without last-minute runs to the shop. Plan food and drinks around the number of registered children and adults, then add serving equipment, chilled storage and materials for each activity station. Reusable cups, plates and clearly marked name badges keep the afternoon moving smoothly. If activities are outdoors, prepare for changing weather with tents, blankets and an indoor backup.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Tablesqty 8
- Chairsqty 60
- Foldable tablesqty 3
- Tablecloth tablesqty 2
- Party tentsqty 2
- Picnic blanketsqty 6
Tableware
- Reusable cupsqty 80
- Platesqty 70
- Cutlery setsqty 70
- Mugsqty 30
- Serving plattersqty 8
- Serving tongsqty 6
Decorations
- Balloonsqty 100
- Balloon arch
- Buntingqty 6
- Table décorqty 8
- Directional signsqty 8
- Name badge holdersqty 60
Equipment
- Bluetooth speaker
- Extension cordsqty 3
- Power stripsqty 3
- Coolersqty 4
- Thermos flasksqty 4
- Laminator
Kitchen
- Cutting boardsqty 4
- Kitchen knivesqty 4
- Measuring cupsqty 2
- Storage binsqty 10
- Ice packsqty 12
Sports equipment
- Footballsqty 4
- Basketballsqty 3
- Soft ballsqty 8
- Conesqty 20
- Hoopsqty 12
- Skipping ropesqty 12
- Relay batonsqty 8
- Goal postsqty 2
- Game parachute
- Sidewalk chalkqty 12
- Bubble solutionqty 6
- Sponge ballsqty 20
- Water cupsqty 30
- Blindfoldsqty 10
- Treasure chest
- Plastic hoop ringsqty 20
- Course Matsqty 6
- Craft table runnersqty 8
- Apronsqty 20
- Paintbrushesqty 40
- Colored pencilsqty 60
- Markersqty 60
- Children's scissors setsqty 20
- Glue sticksqty 20
- Craft binsqty 10
- Board gamesqty 8
- Trophiesqty 20
- Medal ribbonsqty 30
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 8
- Broomqty 2
- Dustpan and brushqty 2
- Mopsqty 2
- Bucketsqty 2
- Hand soap dispensersqty 3
Lighting
- String lightsqty 3
- Battery lanternsqty 4
Catering
- Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Cocoa powder - 1 pack
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Lemonade syrup - 3 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 3 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Straws - 100 pieces
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Carrots - 4 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Mini currant buns - 60 pieces
- Mini croissants - 60 pieces
- Multigrain bread - 4 loaves
- White rolls - 60 pieces
- Wholemeal rolls - 40 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 packs
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Spreadable cheese - 4 tubs
- Ham - 1 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 5 tubs
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Chocolate spread - 2 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Paprika chips - 5 bags
- Plain chips - 5 bags
- Salty popcorn - 4 bags
- Mini savory snacks - 3 bags
- Mini cookies - 5 packs
- Marshmallows - 3 bags
- Raisins - 40 boxes
- Yogurt - 5 kilograms
- Muesli - 2 packs
- Ice creams - 70 pieces
- Whipped cream - 4 cans
- Chocolate sauce - 2 bottles
- Cake decorations - 4 packs
- Cupcakes - 70 pieces
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 10 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 10 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Plastic storage containers - 20 pieces
- Diet cookies - 3 packs
- Gluten-free rolls - 10 pieces
- Vegan spread - 4 packs
- Allergen stickers - 2 sheets
- Colored paper - 5 packs
- Colored cardboard - 4 packs
- Finger paint - 8 bottles
- Glitter - 6 jars
- Adhesive tape - 8 rolls
- Rope - 4 rolls
- Wooden ice sticks - 300 pieces
- Chenille stems - 10 packs
- Wiggle eyes - 10 bags
- Craft feathers - 10 bags
- Paper cups for crafts - 100 pieces
- Craft stickers - 10 sheets
- Balloons for the game - 50 pieces
- Prize bags - 30 pieces
Tips
- Plan two drinks per child for the first hour, then one drink per hour after that. Chill bottled or prepared drinks in coolers before guests arrive and keep ice packs ready for anything that must stay cold.
- Buy serving items for the busiest moment, not the average. For 20 children and 10 adults, have at least 30 cups, plates and sets of cutlery available, plus extra serving tongs and platters.
- Pack each activity station in its own storage bin. Add the printed rules, small materials and any equipment together so volunteers can start setup without searching through several boxes.
- Prepare one name badge for every registered child and volunteer, plus 10% extra. Put directional signs at the entrance and at each activity area so children and parents do not need to ask where to go.
- If the forecast is uncertain, reserve party tents and prepare picnic blankets or an indoor layout at least one day ahead. Bring extension cords and power strips only where needed, and keep cables away from walkways.
Frequently asked questions
- How many cups and plates do I need for a children’s activities afternoon?
- Count every registered child and adult, then add at least 10% extra. For 30 guests, prepare 33 cups, 33 plates and 33 cutlery sets, with a few additional cups for spills.
- How much food and drink should I buy for children’s activities?
- Allow two drinks per child for the first hour and one more per hour afterward. For snacks, plan two to three small portions per child, plus enough fruit and vegetables for adults who stay.
- What should I buy for outdoor children’s activities?
- Prepare weather protection and practical setup items: party tents, picnic blankets, directional signs, coolers, reusable tableware and the equipment needed for each station. Check the forecast at least 24 hours before the afternoon and keep an indoor arrangement ready.
- When should I prepare the shopping and activity materials?
- Finish the main shopping at least one day before the event. Chill refrigerated items the day before, pack station materials in separate bins, and complete the final quantity check after registrations close.
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