What to Buy for a Family Day

A Family Day needs more than food and drinks. You also need enough seating, serving equipment, shade, cold storage, and supplies for children’s activities. Use the confirmed guest count to calculate portions, then check what you already have before shopping. Buy chilled items close to the event, and set aside non-perishables earlier so missing essentials are easy to spot.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 3
High tablesqty 4
Tableclothsqty 12
Parasolsqty 3
Stoolsqty 8

Tableware

Platesqty 80
Bowlsqty 70
Glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 60
Mugsqty 30
Forksqty 80
Knivesqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 12
Pouring jugsqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Aluminum traysqty 12
Storage binsqty 12
Serving utensilsqty 12
Oven mittsqty 4
Tea towelsqty 12
Coolersqty 4

Equipment

Barbecueqty 2
Barbecue tongsqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Refrigerators
Bluetooth speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Power banksqty 3

Decorations

Balloonsqty 100
Balloon pumpqty 2
Buntingqty 12
Buntingqty 4
Table décorqty 12
Name badgesqty 80
Markersqty 12
Tapeqty 6
Ropeqty 3
Directional signsqty 8

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 3
Volleyballqty 2
Frisbeesqty 4
Pogo ballsqty 4
Skipping ropesqty 6
Conesqty 20
Hoopsqty 8
Water balloonsqty 200
Game cardsqty 4
Board gamesqty 6
Tug of war rope

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 8
Lanternsqty 6

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Waste binsqty 6
Hand soap dispensersqty 3
Towel holdersqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Beer - 5 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Bread rolls - 60 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 50 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 40 pieces
- Hamburgers - 50 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 15 pieces
- Hot dogs - 40 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 15 pieces
- Potato salad - 5 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 4 kilograms
- Raw vegetables - 3 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Corn - 8 cans
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 1 kilogram
- Ham - 1 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Butter - 4 packs
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 3 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Barbecue seasoning - 2 jars
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Apples - 4 kilograms
- Bananas - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Watermelons - 2 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 5 bags
- Party nuts - 3 bags
- Salty sticks - 4 bags
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 4 boxes
- Ice cream - 8 liter
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Chocolate sauce - 2 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 3 bottles
- Candy - 3 kilograms
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Small trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 3 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Barbecue charcoal - 4 bags
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Paper cups - 100 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 2 packs
- Toothpicks - 2 boxes
- Bread bags - 2 packs
- Cooling elements - 12 pieces

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per person for each additional hour. Include water and options that meet the dietary requirements you collected.
Allow one plate, bowl, glass, fork, knife, and spoon per guest, plus about 10% extra for breakages and second servings. Count coffee cups and mugs separately if you will serve hot drinks.
For an outdoor Family Day, provide seating for every guest and shade for the area where people will eat. Put tables, chairs, party tents, parasols, and tablecloths on the shopping check before the final guest count is closed.
Keep chilled food and drinks in enough coolers to avoid opening one container constantly. Wash vegetables, prepare sauces, and chill drinks no earlier than needed, while checking deliveries before guests arrive.
Pack children’s activity supplies in labelled storage bins and keep serving equipment separate from game equipment. Set out name tags, serving platters, pouring jugs, thermos flasks, tea towels, and oven mitts before food preparation starts.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a Family Day?: Use the final guest count and plan roughly 400–600 grams of food per adult for a meal, including side dishes. Add about 250–400 grams per child, depending on age and how many activities are scheduled.
How many drinks should I buy for a Family Day?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one drink per person for every following hour. Add extra water for warm weather and provide enough chilled storage for the full supply.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a Family Day?: Count one plate, bowl, glass, fork, knife, and spoon per guest, then add 10% extra. For 50 guests, that means at least 55 of each frequently used item.
When should I do the Family Day shopping?: Buy non-perishable food, tableware, kitchen supplies, and activity equipment three to seven days beforehand. Buy fresh produce one to two days before the event, and chill drinks and other cold items on the day itself.

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