What to Buy for a Family Quiz

A family quiz needs more than questions and prizes. Plan food and drinks for the full session, plus enough tableware for every participant and spare glasses, cups and answer forms. You will also need a reliable setup for the quizmaster, including a laptop, projector, speakers and tested power connections. This shopping list helps you cover the items that are easy to overlook, especially serving equipment, chilled drinks and backup batteries.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 7
Chairsqty 48
Buffet tablesqty 2
Tableclothsqty 7

Tableware

Platesqty 50
Cake platesqty 50
Drinking glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 50
Tea glassesqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving bowlsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 8
Pouring jugsqty 6

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 2
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving utensilsqty 8

Equipment

Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Speakersqty 2
Microphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Spare batteriesqty 2

Quiz materials

Answer formsqty 60
Scorecardsqty 12
Pensqty 60
Score tablesqty 6
Round cardsqty 8
Notepadsqty 12
Answer paddlesqty 12
Prizesqty 3

Decorations

Balloonsqty 40
Buntingqty 6
Table decorationsqty 7
Name badgesqty 60
Directional signsqty 4

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 3

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Broom and dustpan

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Coffee milk - 2 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Still mineral water - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Beer - 3 crates
- Non-alcoholic beer - 1 crate
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 3 bottles
- Bubbly - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Wraps - 4 packs
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Cream cheese - 3 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 1.5 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 1.5 kilos
- Vegetarian spread - 4 tubs
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Cucumbers - 5 pieces
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Cheese cubes - 2 kilos
- Olives - 4 jars
- Cocktail nuts - 4 bags
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 50 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 packs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Fresh mint - 3 bunches
- Napkins - 6 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 pack
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 2 packs

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Include water as well as coffee and tea, and chill the drinks before guests arrive.
Buy or bring one plate, glass and cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Spares cover breakages, dropped cutlery and guests who return for a second serving.
Allow one answer form per team for each quiz round, plus at least two spare forms. Keep the forms, pens and scoring materials together at the quiz table before check-in starts.
Prepare snacks in serving bowls and platters rather than leaving packets on the buffet. Bring at least one serving spoon or utensil for each dish, so queues do not form around one shared tool.
Test the laptop, projector, screen, speakers, microphone, extension cords and power strips at least one day before the quiz. Pack spare batteries and keep a backup copy of the questions and answers on the laptop.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a family quiz?: For the first hour, allow two to three drinks per person. Add one drink per person for every following hour, with extra water if the room is warm or the quiz lasts longer than three hours.
How many plates and glasses should I buy for a family quiz?: Count one plate, glass and cutlery set per guest, then add 10% spare. For 30 guests, that means at least 33 of each item, with separate coffee cups and tea glasses if both are served.
How many answer forms do I need for a family quiz?: Prepare one answer form for every team in every round, plus two spare forms. If there are six teams and eight rounds, bring 50 forms rather than only 48.
When should I test the family quiz equipment?: Test the laptop, projector, speakers, microphone and power connections at least one day before the event. Repeat a quick sound and image check 30 minutes before guests arrive.

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