Family Camp shopping list: what to buy and bring

A Family Camp needs more than food and tents. You also need a way to keep chilled items cold, serve meals to a group, cook safely outdoors and provide enough seating for arrival, meals and downtime. Use the participant list and dietary requirements to calculate quantities before shopping. Buy or collect chilled goods as late as possible, then sort them into coolers and kitchen crates so setup does not turn into a search for missing items.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 50
Beer tablesqty 4
Buffet tablesqty 3
Picnic blanketqty 8
Coolersqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable cupsqty 70
Knivesqty 60
Forksqty 60
Spoonsqty 60
Serving spoonsqty 8
Scissorsqty 3

Kitchen

Gas barbecuesqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 2
Pansqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 5
Chef's knivesqty 5
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 5
Water jugsqty 6
Kitchen cratesqty 8

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Portable speaker
Microphone

Lighting

String lightsqty 5
Lanternsqty 8
Flashlightsqty 6

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 3
Volleyballqty 2
Conesqty 20
Hoopsqty 10
Ropeqty 3
Water balloonsqty 200
Badminton setsqty 4
Frisbeesqty 6
Game cardsqty 6
Board gamesqty 8

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Balloonsqty 100
Name stickersqty 60
Markersqty 12
Chalkboardqty 2
Chalkqty 2

Camping gear

Sleeping matsqty 40
Sleeping bagsqty 40
Tent hammersqty 4
Herringqty 60
Tent peg pullersqty 3

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Work glovesqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Litter pickersqty 2
Bucketsqty 6
Cleaning brushesqty 4
Washing-up tubsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburgers - 50 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 55 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 45 pieces
- Vegetarian sausages - 12 pieces
- Chicken satay - 3 kilos
- Pork belly slices - 2 kilo
- Corn on the cob - 30 pieces
- Zucchini - 8 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Mushrooms - 1.5 kilos
- Red onions - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Iceberg lettuce - 4 heads
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Potato salad - 4 kilos
- Pasta salad - 4 kilo
- Crudités salad - 3 kilos
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Hamburger sauce - 4 bottles
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 jars
- Mustard - 3 jars
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Satay sauce - 3 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Chocolate milk - 8 liters
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Ice pops - 60 pieces
- Marshmallows - 6 bags
- Chocolate bars - 50 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa sauce - 4 jars
- Peanuts - 3 bags
- Popcorn - 3 bags
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Bananas - 4 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Mandarins - 4 kilo
- Cucumber sticks - 3 kilos
- Carrot sticks - 3 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Milk chocolate - 4 bars
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Barbecue fire starters - 4 boxes
- Charcoal - 4 bags
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Trash bags - 5 rolls
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Cleaning wipes - 3 packs
- Paper napkins - 6 packs
- Glass waste bags - 1 roll

Tips

Count reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery against the final participant list, then add at least 10% extra for breakage, dropped items or second helpings. Include serving spoons, tongs and platters separately; they are often forgotten.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Bring extra water in jugs and keep a separate cooler for chilled goods so the main supply is not opened constantly.
For outdoor cooking, match each gas barbecue with the correct gas cylinder and check the fuel before loading. Pack at least two cutting boards, separate chef’s knives from serving utensils, and keep pans and kitchen crates together.
Allow seating for every participant at mealtimes, using foldable chairs, beer tables or picnic blankets as planned. Set up buffet tables before food arrives; otherwise hot pans and serving platters end up on dining tables.
Pack extension cords, power strips, string lights and the portable speaker in one clearly marked equipment crate. Check electricity and water on arrival, and keep chilled food in coolers until the kitchen is ready.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a Family Camp?: Use the final participant count rather than the invitation estimate. Budget two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by one per person per hour, and add 10% extra food for second servings and unexpected arrivals.
How many plates, cups and cutlery sets should I buy for Family Camp?: Provide one complete reusable place setting per participant, plus at least 10% extra. For 40 people, that means at least 44 plates, bowls, cups, knives, forks and spoons.
When should I buy chilled food for Family Camp?: Buy or collect chilled goods on the day of the camp, ideally within two to four hours before setup. Move them straight into coolers and keep them chilled until serving or cooking.
How many tables and chairs do I need for Family Camp?: Plan one seat per participant during meals, then add a few spare places if the group includes children or guests who may arrive late. Set up separate buffet tables so food, serving platters and cooking equipment do not compete for dining space.

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