What to buy for a kids barbecue

A kids barbecue needs more than burgers and sausages. Plan food that cooks quickly, drinks that stay cold, child-sized tableware and enough serving equipment for several children eating at once. Check dietary requirements before shopping, then allow time to wash and cut vegetables, prepare salads and chill the food. This list also covers the easily forgotten items, such as meat thermometers, coolers, hand soap and extra waste bins.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 36
Buffet tablesqty 2
Waste binsqty 4

Equipment

Barbecuesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Barbecue tongsqty 4
Barbecue spatulasqty 2
Meat thermometersqty 2
Portable speaker
Extension cordsqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable cupsqty 60
Water glassesqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Children's cutleryqty 20
Serving spoonsqty 6

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Balloonsqty 50
Buntingqty 4
Table décorqty 6

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 3
LED lanternsqty 4

Cleaning

Hand soap dispensersqty 2
Washing-up basinsqty 2
Spongesqty 6
Broom and dustpan
Bucketsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Beef burgers - 36 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 36 pieces
- Barbecue sausages - 30 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 40 pieces
- Baguettes - 6 pieces
- Corn on the cob - 24 pieces
- Zucchini - 8 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Mushrooms - 1,5 kg
- Romaine lettuce - 6 heads
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kg
- Red onions - 1 kg
- Feta salad - 1.5 kg
- Pasta salad - 2 kg
- Potato salad - 2 kg
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 1 jar
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Chicken herb mix - 1 jar
- Plain potato chips - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Salty breadsticks - 3 bags
- Still water - 8 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Multifruit juice - 4 packs
- Lemonade syrup - 2 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Ice lollies - 40 pieces
- Strawberries - 2 kg
- Grapes - 2 kg
- Bananas - 24 pieces
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Barbecue charcoal - 3 bags
- Firelighters - 2 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 2 bottles

Tips

Plan around 250–350 g of food per child, including meat, vegetables, bread and salads. Buy a little extra if the barbecue lasts more than two hours or includes older children.
Allow 2–3 drinks per child for the first hour, then one drink per hour afterwards. Keep water separate from sweet drinks and chill everything before guests arrive.
Buy or set aside at least 1 reusable plate, 1 cup, 1 water glass and 1 cutlery set per child, plus 10–15% extra for dropped or misplaced items. Include children's cutlery for younger guests.
Prepare vegetables and salads no more than 24 hours in advance, and keep meat and cut vegetables chilled until cooking. Use separate cutting boards and serving platters for raw and cooked food.
For an outdoor setup, provide one cooler for drinks and at least one for meat and vegetables. Add hand soap, waste bins and enough serving spoons before setting up the buffet tables.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a kids barbecue?: Allow about 250–350 g of total food per child, counting meat, vegetables, bread and salads. Add 10–15% extra when children are older or the barbecue will run for more than two hours.
How many drinks should I buy for a kids barbecue?: Plan 2–3 drinks per child for the first hour and one additional drink per hour afterwards. For a three-hour barbecue, that is roughly 4–5 drinks per child, including water.
How many plates and cups do I need for a kids barbecue?: Provide one plate, cup, water glass and cutlery set per child, then add 10–15% spare. For 20 children, prepare at least 22 of each item where possible.
When should I prepare food for a kids barbecue?: Wash and cut vegetables and prepare salads up to 24 hours before the barbecue. Keep raw meat, vegetables and drinks chilled, and do the main shopping no earlier than one day in advance.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.