What to Buy for a Children's Run

A children’s run needs more than race numbers and medals. You’ll need clearly marked course equipment, a simple registration setup, refreshments, shade and a safe place for minor injuries. Buy or collect supplies early enough to check every item and chill drinks before participants arrive. Use the number of registered children, volunteers and starter groups to set quantities, then add a small reserve for lost bibs, spilled drinks and last-minute registrations.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 30
Tableclothqty 8

Sports equipment

Start and finish arch
Route arrowsqty 30
Barrier tapeqty 6
Traffic conesqty 20
Bib numbersqty 150
Safety pinsqty 200
Medal ribbonsqty 150
Stopwatchesqty 4
Whistlesqty 10
Team bibsqty 20

Equipment

Speaker
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Megaphoneqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 200
Platesqty 150
Cutlery setsqty 150

Kitchen

Coffee makerqty 2
Water kettlesqty 2
Pouring jugsqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 6

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Ice packsqty 10
Flashlightsqty 6

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Buntingqty 8
Directional signsqty 12
Prize ribbonsqty 10

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Bucketsqty 3
Spongesqty 6
Hand broomsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Apple juice - 20 liters
- Orange juice - 15 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Cocoa powder - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Tea bags - 200 pieces
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Apples - 12 kilos
- Bananas - 10 kilo
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Mandarins - 8 kilos
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Carrots - 6 kilo
- Cherry tomatoes - 5 kilo
- Mini currant buns - 150 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Mini cheese snacks - 150 pieces
- Hummus - 10 tubs
- Jam - 4 jars
- Peanut butter - 4 jars
- Butter - 2 tubs
- Plain chips - 10 bags
- Paprika chips - 10 bags
- Popcorn - 8 bags
- Muesli bars - 150 pieces
- Gluten-free crackers - 4 packs
- Vegan toppings - 6 packages
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Bandages - 4 boxes

Tips

Prepare one bib number and two safety pins per child, plus at least 10% extra. Keep spare numbers at the registration desk for damaged or missing bibs.
Plan drinks for the full event, not just the finish. A practical starting point is 500 ml of water per child, with extra reusable cups and coolers for volunteers and waiting families.
Allow one medal ribbon per finisher and keep 5–10% extra. Children may drop or damage ribbons while waiting, so store the spare ribbons with the registration materials.
Bring enough course markers to make every turn obvious from the previous marker. Use barrier tape and traffic cones around crossings, the start and finish area, and any sections where children could take a wrong route.
Set up a separate first-aid and rest area with first aid kits, ice packs and shade. Test the speaker, microphone, extension cords and power strips before the day, and pack flashlights if setup or clear-up may happen in low light.

Frequently asked questions

How many race bibs and safety pins do I need for a children's run?: Prepare one bib number and two safety pins for every registered child. Add at least 10% spare bibs and pins, so a run with 80 children needs about 88 bibs and 176 pins.
How much water and food should I buy for a children's run?: Start with 500 ml of water per child, then add drinks for volunteers and adults who are helping. For food, plan at least one portion of fruit or snacks per child, plus 10% extra for late registrations and seconds.
How many medals and medal ribbons are needed for a children's run?: Buy one medal and one medal ribbon for every expected finisher. Add 5–10% extra; for 80 children, that means 84–88 medals and ribbons if every child receives one.
When should I buy and check the supplies for a children's run?: Buy durable equipment and printed materials at least 1–2 weeks before the run. Check the route markers, bibs, safety equipment and sound system at least 2–3 days beforehand, then chill drinks on the event morning.

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