Children’s Book Market Shopping List

A children’s book market needs more than books and tables. You’ll need clear prices, a simple way to take payments, signs that help families find each area, and a comfortable reading nook. Plan the shopping around your number of exhibitors, stalls and expected visitors. Items such as cash change, name stickers, route arrows and storage bins are easy to overlook and are often needed before the market opens.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Market stallsqty 12
Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 40
Foldable tablesqty 4
Bookshelvesqty 6
Beanbagsqty 12
Blanketsqty 6
Storage binsqty 20

Market materials

Children's booksqty 500
Price tagsqty 600
Bookmarksqty 500
Cash boxesqty 3
Card machinesqty 2
Change boxesqty 3
Price listsqty 15
Name stickersqty 150
Exhibitor signsqty 15
Route arrowsqty 20
Clipboard foldersqty 6
Pen setsqty 10

Decorations

Book garlandsqty 8
Buntingqty 10
Balloonsqty 100
Decorative signsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 12
Adhesive hooksqty 40
Table décorqty 12

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Kettlesqty 2

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 2
Serving traysqty 6
Scissorsqty 12
Craft binsqty 8
Colored pencil setsqty 20
Children's apronsqty 12
Stamp setsqty 8
Pen holdersqty 8

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 40
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving tongsqty 6

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Broom setsqty 3
Mop setsqty 2
Bucketsqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 6 boxes
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon - 2 kilos
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Sparkling juice - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 5 kilo
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Mandarins - 5 kilos
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Popcorn - 6 bags
- Salted breadsticks - 6 bags
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Mini currant buns - 8 bags
- Mini croissants - 8 boxes
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White rolls - 80 pieces
- Sliced cheese - 4 kilos
- Ham slices - 3 kilo
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Jam - 4 jars
- Butter - 2 kilos
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Allergy-free sandwiches - 20 pieces
- Gluten-free crackers - 4 packs
- Vegan cookies - 8 packs
- Chocolate cookies - 8 packs
- Butter cookies - 8 packs
- Mini muffins - 10 boxes
- Napkins - 600 pieces
- Paper cups - 200 pieces
- Stirrers - 300 pieces
- Teaspoons - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 10 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 packs
- Craft paper - 20 packs
- Colored paper - 10 packs
- Cardboard cups - 200 pieces
- Glue - 30 pieces
- Wasco - 20 boxes
- Markers - 20 boxes
- Glitter - 10 jars
- Sticker sheets - 100 sheets
- Clothespins - 100 pieces
- Rope - 4 rolls
- Tape - 12 rolls
- Double-sided tape - 6 rolls
- AA batteries - 24 pieces

Tips

Prepare one price list and one set of price tags for every selling area, then bring at least 10% extra tags for books that are added or repriced on the day.
Set aside one cash box or card machine per active sales point. Count enough small change for the first two hours, especially coins and low-value notes.
Use one exhibitor sign and a name sticker for each participating seller, plus a few spare signs. Put route arrows at every turn from the entrance to the stalls, reading nook and children’s activities.
Plan the reading nook for the full programme: provide enough beanbags and blankets for one small group at a time, and keep bookshelves or storage bins nearby so books can be reset quickly.
Pack practical backups before setup starts: extra pens, clipboard folders, adhesive hooks and tablecloths. These solve last-minute registration, signage and untidy display problems without delaying opening.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a children’s book market?: Bring children’s books, price tags, price lists, stalls or tables, bookshelves, payment equipment, cash boxes, signs and name stickers. For the reading area, allow space for beanbags, blankets and the scheduled activities.
How many price tags do I need for a book market?: Prepare one tag for every book that will be sold, then add at least 10% spare tags. Keep extra pens available so prices can be changed quickly during sorting or setup.
How much change should I bring to a children’s book market?: Prepare a separate change box for each cash sales point and stock it before opening. As a starting point, allow enough small coins and low-value notes to make change for roughly 20 sales per point during the first two hours.
When should I buy supplies for a children’s book market?: Buy reusable furniture, payment equipment and signage at least 2–3 weeks before the market. Purchase or check consumables such as price tags, bookmarks, pens and cash change during the final week, after exhibitor numbers are confirmed.

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