Family circus shopping list

A family circus needs more than a tent and performers. This shopping list covers the practical items that keep queues moving, food service organised and activities safe, from reusable cups and serving platters to power supplies and wayfinding signs. Plan seating and tableware from your confirmed guest numbers, then add equipment for the circus activities and the site conditions. Check what the venue already provides at least two weeks before the event so missing items can be hired or bought in time.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 250
Bar stoolsqty 6
Clothes racksqty 2
Bollardsqty 12
Queue barriersqty 8

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 300
Reusable platesqty 250
Cutlery setsqty 250
Coffee cupsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving tongsqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 8

Decorations

Circus flagsqty 20
Balloonsqty 300
Balloon pumpqty 2
Buntingqty 12
Tableclothsqty 12
Wayfinding signsqty 10

Equipment

Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Portable fansqty 4
Flashlightsqty 6

Circus equipment

Juggling pinsqty 12
Juggling ballsqty 20
Circus ringsqty 12
Diabolosqty 8
Walking stiltsqty 8
Balance beamsqty 2
Circus matsqty 6
Conesqty 20
Hula hoopsqty 15

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Food warmersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Ice packsqty 30
Bottle openersqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 6
Mopsqty 6
Broom setsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Cleaning glovesqty 12

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 4
Non-slip matsqty 8
Warning tapeqty 4
Pouches for wristbandsqty 300

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea bags - 250 pieces
- Cocoa powder - 2 packs
- Sugar - 4 kilos
- Milk - 20 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Hot chocolate - 20 liters
- Apple juice - 20 liters
- Orange juice - 20 liters
- Cola - 24 bottles
- Cola Zero - 18 bottles
- Sinas - 18 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 36 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Sandwiches - 300 pieces
- Rolls - 150 pieces
- Butter - 3 kilos
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Boiled ham - 4 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Paprika chips - 12 bags
- Plain chips - 12 bags
- Tortilla chips - 10 bags
- Popcorn kernels - 5 kilos
- Salt - 2 packs
- Popcorn oil - 3 liters
- Cotton candy mix - 3 kilos
- Mini waffles - 250 pieces
- Cookies - 12 packs
- Brownies - 200 pieces
- Mini muffins - 200 pieces
- Apples - 15 kilo
- Bananas - 12 kilo
- Grapes - 8 kilos
- Mandarins - 10 kilos
- Carrots - 6 kilo
- Cherry tomatoes - 5 kilo
- Yogurt dip - 4 kilos
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Mini cocktail sausages - 250 pieces
- Puff pastry snacks - 250 pieces
- Vegetarian snacks - 100 pieces
- Fry sauce - 3 bottles
- Applesauce - 6 jars
- Herb mix - 4 sachets
- Paper napkins - 1000 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Compostable snack boxes - 500 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Disinfecting wipes - 8 packs
- Hand soap - 8 bottles
- Hand sanitizer gel - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 packs

Tips

Plan one reusable cup and plate per guest, plus at least 10% extra for breakages, late arrivals and replacements. Count cutlery sets separately rather than assuming one shared supply will cover the whole event.
For drinks, allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Use coolers and thermos flasks so cold and hot drinks can stay available while the circus programme is running.
Match seating to your registration total and keep a separate area for children taking part in circus activities. Folding chairs, tables and queue barriers should be ready before the tent and activity equipment are placed.
Buy or reserve the full set of circus activity equipment together: juggling pins, juggling balls and circus rings. Check quantities and condition at least seven days before the event, especially if several children will practise at once.
Do not leave signs, lighting and power accessories until the event day. Prepare wayfinding signs, extension cords, power strips and flashlights at least one day ahead, and confirm that the venue’s power supply can handle the speakers and microphones.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a family circus event?: Plan tableware, drinks service, seating, signs, decorations, lighting and circus equipment. For a typical serving setup, allow one reusable cup and plate per guest plus 10% spare, and provide two to three drinks per person for the first hour.
How much circus equipment do I need for children?: Start with at least one juggling ball or pin for every two children expected to practise at the same time, then add circus rings for group activities. Confirm the final quantities with the performers at least seven days before the event.
How many chairs and tables do I need for a family circus?: Use your confirmed registration total to plan one chair per seated guest, with a separate open area for activities. A useful starting point is one folding table for every 8 to 10 guests during food service, adjusted to the menu and venue layout.
When should I check the family circus shopping list?: Check the venue inventory and equipment requirements at least two weeks before the event. Finish buying or reserving missing items seven days ahead, then check drinks, signs, power accessories and activity equipment again the day before.

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