What to Buy for a Family Day

A Family Day needs more than food and drinks. Plan for shared meals, coffee and tea, outdoor seating, weather cover and the equipment needed to keep everything running. This shopping list includes reusable plates, bowls, glasses and cutlery, plus serving utensils, cool boxes, ice and containers for leftovers. Check dietary requirements before shopping, then chill drinks and prepare snacks early enough to avoid a last-minute rush.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Folding tableqty 8
Folding chairqty 60
Buffet tableqty 3
Bar stoolqty 6
Picnic blanketqty 8
Tableclothqty 8
Table runnerqty 6

Tableware

Reusable plateqty 70
Reusable bowlqty 60
Reusable glassqty 100
Coffee cupqty 50
Tea glassqty 30
Cutlery setqty 70
Serving spoonqty 8
Serving platterqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6

Kitchen

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettleqty 2
Thermosqty 4
Cutting boardqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Cool boxqty 4
Ice cube trayqty 4
Aluminum foilqty 3
Food storage containerqty 12

Equipment

Bluetooth speakerqty 2
Extension cordqty 4
Power stripqty 3
Power bankqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampqty 8
Flashlightqty 4

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Balloon pumpqty 2
Garlandqty 8
Buntingqty 4
Flower arrangementqty 6
Name badgeqty 60
Welcome sign
Sidewalk chalkqty 12

Sports equipment

Soccerqty 3
Basketballqty 2
Volleyballqty 2
Frisbeeqty 4
Tug of war rope
Jump ropeqty 8
Marker coneqty 20
Hoopqty 10
Water balloonqty 100
Sack race bagqty 8
Boccia setqty 2
Tennis ballqty 20
Sports whistleqty 3
Scavenger hunt mapqty 30
Prize cupqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binqty 6
Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopqty 3
Bucketqty 3
Dishwashing tubqty 3
Microfiber clothqty 20
Toilet brushqty 2
Gloveqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 1 box
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 5 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Chocolate milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Beer - 3 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 1 crate
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 3 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Mini rolls - 80 pieces
- Whole wheat bread - 4 loaves
- Pistolets - 40 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Brie - 1 kilo
- Back ham - 1 kilo
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Egg salad - 6 tubs
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Bell peppers - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilo
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 5 kilo
- Bananas - 3 kilos
- Melon - 3 pieces
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 2 kilos
- Snack mix - 2 kilos
- Olives - 6 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Mini meatballs - 5 kilos
- Chicken skewers - 60 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 20 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 60 pieces
- Potato salad - 5 kilos
- Pasta salad - 5 kilos
- Raw vegetable salad - 4 kilo
- Corn - 6 cans
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Oregano - 1 pot
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Vinegar - 1 bottle
- Dressing - 3 bottles
- Cupcakes - 60 pieces
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Vanilla ice cream - 5 liters
- Chocolate sauce - 2 bottles
- Decorative sprinkles - 4 boxes
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Ice pops - 60 pieces
- Coffee filters - 1 pack
- Wooden stirring sticks - 1 pack
- Paper napkins - 8 packs
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 packs

Tips

Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person for each additional hour. Keep extra water available, especially if activities take place outdoors.
Plan at least one reusable plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra for dropped or misplaced items. Add serving spoons, platters and tongs so guests do not use personal cutlery.
Buy ice the day before and keep drinks in cool boxes until serving. Use food storage containers and aluminum foil for leftovers instead of relying on serving dishes for storage.
Count seating before the event: provide one folding chair per seated guest, then add picnic blankets for people who can sit outdoors. Check that tables are large enough for food, drinks and tableware.
Pack the practical equipment together: coffee maker, kettle, thermos, extension cord, power strip and power bank. Test powered equipment before leaving and bring the correct cables for the venue.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for a Family Day?: Buy food and drinks for the confirmed guest count, along with reusable plates, bowls, glasses, cups and cutlery. Also plan for serving utensils, coffee and tea equipment, cool boxes, ice, seating, tables and weather cover.
How many drinks do I need for a Family Day?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by about one drink per person for every additional hour. Add water and check dietary or drink requirements before finalising the shopping list.
How much tableware do I need for a Family Day?: Plan one plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, with at least 10% extra. For 30 guests, that means 33 of each reusable item where possible, plus enough serving spoons, platters and tongs.
When should I buy ice and chill the drinks?: Buy ice the day before and chill drinks several hours before guests arrive. Keep the drinks in cool boxes until serving so the refrigerator is not overloaded on the day.

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