What you need for a children’s movie night

A children’s movie night needs more than a film, popcorn and a screen. Plan snacks and drinks for the registered number of children, then check how everything will be served, chilled and cleared away. You’ll also need working projection and sound equipment, safe cable covers, spare batteries and enough flexible seating. This shopping list brings together the food, tableware, furniture, equipment, lighting and decorations to prepare before guests arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Chairsqty 60
Tablesqty 8
Beanbagsqty 12
Clothing rack
Clothes hangersqty 60

Equipment

Projector
Projection screen
Laptop
HDMI cableqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Remote control
Spare batteriesqty 8
Cable matsqty 8

Lighting

LED lightsqty 6
Flashlightsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 70
Reusable platesqty 70
Reusable bowlsqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 70
Serving traysqty 6
Serving bowlsqty 8
Serving tongsqty 4

Kitchen

Coolersqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee maker
Popcorn machine

Decorations

Movie postersqty 6
Buntingqty 8
Film clapperboard
Name badgesqty 60

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 10

Catering

Groceries
- Popcorn kernels - 3 kilograms
- Popcorn oil - 2 liters
- Popcorn salt - 1 jar
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Pretzel sticks - 4 bags
- Salty popcorn - 4 bags
- Sweet popcorn - 4 bags
- Mini cookies - 6 packs
- Rice cakes - 4 packs
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Bananas - 4 kilogram
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Snack carrots - 3 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Lemonade - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Stirrers - 100 pieces
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs

Tips

Buy enough popcorn and snacks for the full film, plus a small reserve for late arrivals or children who cannot eat the main options. Check dietary requirements before shopping, not when the food is already being served.
Allow at least one reusable cup, plate and bowl per child, plus 10% extra. Label allergy-safe food clearly and keep separate serving tongs available so snacks are not mixed.
Test the laptop, projector, HDMI cable, speakers and the complete film at least 24 hours beforehand. Check subtitles too, and keep spare batteries for the remote control ready on the day.
Plan seating before opening the venue: provide a chair, cushion or beanbag for every child, then leave clear access to exits. Use cable mats wherever extension cords or power strips cross a walkway.
Chill drinks several hours before the screening and set out only what can be supervised. Keep coolers, serving trays and bowls ready before guests arrive so the first 15 minutes are not spent unpacking supplies.

Frequently asked questions

How much popcorn do I need for a children’s movie night?: Plan around 3 to 4 cups of popcorn per child for a standard film, with 10% extra for refills. For 20 children, that is about 66 to 88 cups in total.
How many drinks should I buy for a children’s movie night?: Allow 2 drinks per child for the first two hours, plus 10% extra. For 20 children, buy or prepare at least 44 servings and chill them several hours before the event.
When should I test the projector and film?: Run a complete test at least 24 hours before the movie night, including the laptop, HDMI connection, speakers, subtitles and lighting. Repeat a shorter sound and picture check 30 minutes before guests arrive.
How many cups and plates do I need for children’s movie night?: Provide one cup and one plate per child, one bowl for each shared snack, and 10% extra tableware. For 20 children, prepare at least 22 cups and 22 plates, plus serving bowls and tongs.

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