What to buy and bring for a Family Day

A Family Day needs more than food and drinks. You also need enough tableware for shared meals, equipment to keep catering warm or chilled, and practical supplies for children and outdoor seating. Use the guest list to calculate quantities, then check what the venue already provides before shopping. Arrange deliveries, refrigeration and tent setup early so the final day is spent welcoming families rather than solving missing-equipment problems.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 80
Buffet tablesqty 3
Bar stoolsqty 6
Waste binsqty 6

Tableware

Platesqty 90
Dessert platesqty 90
Glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 60
Knivesqty 90
Forksqty 90
Spoonsqty 90
Serving spoonsqty 12
Small bowlsqty 20
Serving traysqty 8
Coffee potsqty 3
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 8
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 3
Pliersqty 8
Coolersqty 5
Coolersqty 3

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Food warmersqty 6
Induction hobsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Music player
Extension cordsqty 3

Decorations

Balloonsqty 150
Buntingqty 12
Tableclothsqty 10
Name badgesqty 80
Balloon pumpqty 2
Tapeqty 6
Ropeqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lampsqty 10
Lanternsqty 8

Sports equipment

Footballsqty 4
Volleyballqty 2
Badminton setsqty 4
Conesqty 20
Skipping ropesqty 8
Frisbeesqty 6
Water balloonsqty 200
Game matsqty 6
Board gamesqty 8
Quiz boardsqty 10
Pensqty 30
Prizesqty 15

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Dish brushesqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Chicken breast - 8 kilogram
- Beef burgers - 80 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 20 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 110 pieces
- Hot dog sausages - 80 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 80 pieces
- Baby potatoes - 10 kilogram
- Rice - 5 kilograms
- Pasta - 5 kilogram
- Gluten-free pasta - 1 kilogram
- Mixed salad - 5 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 6 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Corn - 12 cans
- Kidney beans - 10 cans
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Lemons - 20 pieces
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Bananas - 6 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Melons - 4 pieces
- Strawberries - 4 kilogram
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Chocolate cake - 4 cakes
- Apple pie - 4 pies
- Whipped cream - 12 cans
- Vanilla ice cream - 8 liters
- Bread - 12 loaves
- Baguettes - 15 pieces
- Herb butter - 20 tubs
- Cheese - 3 kilograms
- Ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Lactose-free young cheese - 1 kilogram
- Mayonnaise - 3 liters
- Ketchup - 3 liters
- Mustard - 2 liters
- Garlic sauce - 3 liters
- Barbecue sauce - 3 liters
- Satay sauce - 3 liter
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Sunflower oil - 2 liters
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Curry powder - 250 grams
- Italian herbs - 250 grams
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Tea - 150 bags
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 6 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Beer - 120 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 36 bottles
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 8 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Party nuts - 4 kilograms
- Salted breadsticks - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 3 kilograms
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 50 pieces
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Nitrile gloves - 200 pieces
- Toothpicks - 300 pieces
- Matches - 4 boxes

Tips

Plan tableware for every confirmed guest, plus 10% extra plates, glasses, cups and cutlery. Extra pieces cover dropped items, seconds and unexpected guests without interrupting the buffet.
Keep drinks refrigerated before guests arrive. For an outdoor Family Day, arrange coolers and ice at least one day ahead; warm drinks are difficult to chill quickly once the event is underway.
Set aside separate service equipment for coffee and hot food. Check that coffee machines, kettles, thermos flasks, food warmers and induction hobs match the venue’s available power.
Count serving equipment separately from guest tableware. A buffet for several dishes needs serving spoons, trays and small bowls, while cutting boards, mixing bowls and knives belong in the preparation area.
Do not leave outdoor setup until the morning of the event. Confirm party tents, tables, chairs, waste bins and extension cords at least 48 hours beforehand, especially if weather or delivery timing could change.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for a Family Day?: Start with one plate, dessert plate, glass and complete set of cutlery per confirmed guest, then add 10% spare. For 50 guests, that means at least 55 of each frequently used item.
How many drinks should I buy for a Family Day?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Add extra water for children and hot-weather conditions, and keep the drinks chilled before serving.
When should I arrange Family Day catering and equipment?: Confirm catering deliveries, reservations and hired equipment at least one week before the event. Check quantities again 48 hours beforehand, when there is still time to replace missing tables, coolers or serving equipment.
What do I need for a Family Day buffet?: Prepare one serving utensil for each dish, plus trays, small bowls and enough plates and cutlery for all guests. Set up food warmers or cooling equipment before the buffet opens, and keep preparation knives and cutting boards separate from serving areas.

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