What you need for a children's reading afternoon

A children's reading afternoon needs more than a stack of picture books. Plan for comfortable seating, a quiet reading corner, name badges, simple discussion materials, and snacks that are easy to serve between stories. For drinks, allow two small servings per child, plus extra water for the facilitators. This shopping list also covers the items people often remember too late: spare books, serving platters, reusable cups, a cooler, waste bins, and cleaning supplies.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Chairsqty 45
Children’s tablesqty 6
Blanketsqty 4
Beanbagsqty 12
Coat rack

Books

Picture booksqty 12
Spare picture booksqty 4
Book standsqty 2

Decorations

Party bannerqty 2
Paper buntingqty 4
Tableclothsqty 6
Flower vasesqty 6

Educational materials

Name badgesqty 50
Color markersqty 12
Paper

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 50
Reusable platesqty 50
Teaspoonsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 6
Water jugsqty 4

Kitchen

Coolersqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 2
Bread knivesqty 2

Equipment

Bluetooth speaker
Extension cord

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 6
Dish brushqty 2
Hand brush and dustpan

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 40 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Lemonade syrup - 2 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Decaffeinated tea - 1 box
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Honey - 1 jar
- Stir sticks - 1 pack
- Wholegrain biscuits - 6 packs
- Gluten-free biscuits - 2 packs
- Mini pretzels - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Popcorn - 3 bags
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Rice cakes - 4 packs
- Nut-free cereal bars - 40 pieces
- Vegan cookies - 2 packs
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 1 roll
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Dish soap - 1 bottle
- Disinfectant wipes - 2 packs

Tips

Bring at least one spare picture book for every 8 to 10 children. A backup helps if a book is too short, unsuitable for the group, or becomes damaged during the afternoon.
Allow 2 small drinks per child for a two-hour session, then add 4 to 6 extra servings for facilitators. Chill the drinks before guests arrive and keep water available throughout.
Prepare one name badge and one marker for each child, plus 10% extra. Put the badges out at reception so registration does not delay the first read-aloud.
Set aside 2 to 3 sheets of paper per child for questions, drawing, or follow-up activities. Keep the paper and markers in the reading corner rather than on the snack table.
Pack cleanup supplies before shopping is finished: waste bins, cleaning cloths, a dish brush, and a hand brush with dustpan. One spare tablecloth and several extra cups also prevent small spills from disrupting the program.

Frequently asked questions

How many books do I need for a children's reading afternoon?: Plan one main picture book for each read-aloud session, plus one spare book for every 8 to 10 children. For a two-hour afternoon with two readings, bring at least 2 main books and 2 to 3 backups for a group of 20 children.
How many drinks and snacks should I buy for children?: Allow 2 small drinks per child for a two-hour event, including water, and add 4 to 6 extra servings for adults. Buy about 2 snack portions per child, with additional options based on the dietary requirements collected during registration.
What tableware is needed for a children's reading afternoon?: Provide one reusable cup and one plate per child, plus at least 10% extra. For 20 children, that means 22 cups and 22 plates, along with serving platters, teaspoons, and water jugs.
When should I buy and prepare the reading afternoon supplies?: Buy non-perishable materials, decorations, and spare books 3 to 5 days in advance. Shop for fresh snacks and chill drinks the day before, then pack the books, badges, activity materials, and cleanup supplies in separate boxes on the morning of the event.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.