What to buy for a family six-event competition

A family six-event competition needs more than sports equipment. You will also need clearly marked stations, places for teams to register and rest, supplies for scoring, and enough food and drinks for the full programme. Plan equipment for every event before ordering groceries, because items such as ropes, batons, blindfolds and waterproof score folders are easy to overlook. Use this list alongside your run sheet so deliveries, chilled drinks and prizes are ready before guests arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Beer tablesqty 4
Buffet tablesqty 3
Prize table
Coat racksqty 2

Sports equipment

Conesqty 40
Marking tapeqty 4
Tug of war rope
Relay batonsqty 6
Buckets of waterqty 8
Sponge ballsqty 20
Large soft ballsqty 6
Frisbeesqty 6
Hoopsqty 12
Blindfoldsqty 6
Sponge relay racesqty 6
Scoreboardsqty 6
Stopwatchesqty 6
Whistlesqty 6
Team bibsqty 60
Start and finish flagsqty 6
Plastic binsqty 12
Crawl tunnel
Balance beam
Sandbagsqty 12
Measuring tapeqty 2
Waterproof score foldersqty 6

Equipment

Portable speaker
Wireless microphone
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Barbecueqty 2
BBQ toolsqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 2

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 70
Reusable bowlsqty 70
Reusable cupsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 50
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 8
Scissorsqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Balloon archesqty 2
Team flagsqty 6
Prize ribbon
Tableclothsqty 8
Name badgesqty 70
Markersqty 12
Clipboardsqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lanternsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving tongsqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Aluminum baking traysqty 4
Kitchen scale

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Catering

Prizesqty 6
Medalsqty 60
First aid kit
Sunscreen dispensersqty 2
Groceries
- Hamburgers - 70 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 15 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 70 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 15 pieces
- Sausages - 70 pieces
- Vegetarian Sausages - 15 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 80 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 80 pieces
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Mixed salad - 8 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 6 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Corn - 12 cans
- Pickles - 6 jars
- Grated cheese - 3 kilogram
- Ketchup - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 4 bottles
- Mustard - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Chocolate cake - 4 pieces
- Apple pie - 4 pieces
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Popsicles - 80 pieces
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Bananas - 6 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Peanuts - 3 bags
- Popcorn - 4 bags
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Lemon - 2 kilogram
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Charcoal - 6 bags
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Microfiber cloths - 2 packs
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Bandages - 2 boxes
- Gauze bandages - 2 boxes
- Sports tape - 4 rolls
- Cold packs - 6 pcs

Tips

Buy or borrow spare cones, marking tape and start-and-finish flags so every station can be set up without moving equipment between events. Keep the spares in labelled plastic bins.
Plan one scoring set for each active station: a scoreboard, stopwatch, whistle and waterproof score folder. Add extra pens and a clipboard, since wet or missing score sheets can stop the results process.
Provide enough seating and shade for families waiting between events. Party tents, tables, chairs and beer tables should be arranged before registration opens, not during the first competition.
Order drinks and groceries against the registration count, then add a small buffer for helpers and late arrivals. Chill the drinks before the venue opens and keep water available throughout the programme.
Prepare the prize table separately from the game equipment. Count the prizes and medals at least one day before the event, and keep team bibs, rules and registration forms together at the entrance.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a family six-event competition?: Plan the equipment for all six events before buying anything. The core kit includes cones, marking tape, a tug-of-war rope, relay batons, water buckets, sponge balls, large soft balls, frisbees, hoops, blindfolds and station-specific equipment such as a crawl tunnel and balance beam.
How many tables and chairs do I need for the competition?: Start with one registration table, one prize table and one buffet table, then add seating for the number of families waiting between events. Confirm the final count after registrations close, ideally at least 3 days before the competition.
How much food and drink should I buy for a family sports day?: Use the final registration count as your base and include children, adults and helpers. As a practical starting point, allow 2 to 3 drinks per person for the first hour, then add more for the remaining programme and keep extra water available.
What should I prepare the day before a family competition?: Check every item, charge the portable speaker and any rechargeable equipment, count the prizes, sort the team bibs and assemble the station supplies. Put weather-sensitive items and waterproof score folders together, and confirm deliveries no later than the day before.

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