What to buy for a children’s party afternoon

For a children’s party afternoon, shop for food and drinks first, then check the practical items that keep activities moving. You’ll need child-sized tables and chairs, reusable servingware, a clear cake-serving setup, and equipment for games and crafts. Plan about two to three drinks per child for the first hour, plus water throughout the afternoon. Buy or gather craft materials and soft activity equipment early, because these are easy to overlook until the day before.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Children’s tablesqty 4
Children's chairsqty 24
Buffet table
Gift table

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 30
Reusable cupsqty 30
Reusable forksqty 30
Reusable knivesqty 30
Reusable spoonsqty 30
Serving bowlsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 2
Knivesqty 4
Serving tongsqty 4
Cake server
Water jugsqty 3

Equipment

Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 2
Coolersqty 2

Decorations

Balloonsqty 60
Buntingqty 6
Tableclothsqty 5
Confetti-free table decorqty 6

Sports equipment

Soft ballsqty 8
Hoopsqty 6
Conesqty 12
Skipping ropesqty 6

Craft supplies

Colored pencilsqty 24
Markersqty 24
Craft paperqty 100
Children's scissorsqty 12
Glue sticksqty 12
Paintqty 8
Brushesqty 24
Apronsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Soap dispenserqty 2
Cleaning clothsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Children's lemonade - 4 liter
- Cola - 2 bottles
- Cola Zero - 2 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 liters
- Orange juice - 3 liters
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Cupcakes - 30 pieces
- Whipped cream - 2 cans
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Cheese cookies - 3 packs
- Salted sticks - 3 bags
- Popcorn - 2 bags
- Apples - 20 pieces
- Bananas - 20 pieces
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Mini sausages - 3 packs
- Mini pizzas - 30 pieces
- Pizza sauce - 2 jars
- Shredded cheese - 1 kilogram
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Vegan snacks - 2 packs
- Gluten-free snacks - 2 packs
- Paper napkins - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Garbage bags - 20 pieces
- Dish soap - 1 bottle
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Hand soap - 2 bottles

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per child for the first hour, then add water for the rest of the afternoon. Chill drinks in coolers before guests arrive and prepare water jugs for easy refills.
Use reusable plates, cups, forks, knives and spoons, with at least one complete set per child plus five spare sets. Put serving bowls, platters and serving tongs on the buffet table before the welcome.
Allow one child-sized chair per child and enough table space for the craft activity. Set aside a separate gift table so presents do not take over the food or activity tables.
For the activity plan, check that you have enough soft balls, hoops, cones and skipping ropes for the game round. For crafts, provide several colours of pencils and markers and at least one sheet of craft paper per child, plus extras.
Do not leave the cake setup until the last minute: have a cake server, cutting board and kitchen knife ready before guests arrive. Keep extension cords and the Bluetooth speaker accessible, and test the music and lighting before children enter.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a children’s party?: Plan two to three drinks per child for the first hour, then provide water for the remaining time. Keep extra drinks chilled in coolers and use water jugs for refills.
How many plates and cups should I buy for a kids’ party?: Prepare one reusable plate and cup per child, plus at least five spare sets. Add matching forks, knives and spoons so replacements are available if something is dropped.
How much craft paper do I need for a children’s party?: Allow at least one sheet of craft paper per child, with five to ten extra sheets for mistakes or additional projects. Put the paper, coloured pencils and markers on the activity tables before the party starts.
When should I chill the drinks for a children’s party?: Chill drinks several hours before the party, or overnight if possible. Load the coolers before guests arrive so serving welcome drinks does not interrupt the welcome and programme explanation.

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