What to Buy for a Kids' Disco

A kids' disco needs more than music and a dance floor. Plan drinks and snacks for the full guest list, then separate allergy-friendly portions before serving. Reusable cups, plates and serving tools keep the food table manageable, while coolers and thermos flasks help with drinks service. Check cables, power strips, lighting and the USB stick before anything is loaded into the hall. This list also covers the small items people often remember only after setup has started.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 30
Bar stoolsqty 4
Clothing rack
Folding table

Equipment

Active speakersqty 2
Mixer
Wireless microphone
Laptop
USB stickqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Lighting

LED light barsqty 4
Disco lightqty 2
String lightsqty 4

Decorations

Balloonsqty 150
Balloon pumpqty 2
Buntingqty 8
Paper starsqty 20
Tableclothsqty 8
Photo backdrop
Photo propsqty 20

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 120
Reusable platesqty 100
Reusable cutleryqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Tongs and spoonsqty 12

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 3
Knivesqty 4
Snack traysqty 12
Ice packsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Fruit squash - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salted popcorn - 6 bags
- Sweet popcorn - 6 bags
- Pretzels - 5 bags
- Mini cookies - 8 packs
- Rice cakes - 5 packs
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 8 trays
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Carrots - 6 bags
- Cherry tomatoes - 6 tubs
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Mini pizzas - 100 pieces
- Mini hot dogs - 100 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 100 pieces
- Poffertjes - 120 pieces
- Powdered sugar - 2 packs
- Allergy-free cookies - 6 packs
- Gluten-free crackers - 4 packs
- Vegan sandwiches - 20 pieces
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper straws - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 12
Rubber glovesqty 6

Sports equipment

Hoopsqty 12
Soft ballsqty 12
Ribbonsqty 30
Conesqty 20
Prize boxesqty 40

Safety

First aid kit
Flashlightsqty 4
Barrier tapeqty 2

Registration

Attendance listsqty 6
Name stickersqty 120
Pensqty 12
Wristbandsqty 120
Information boardsqty 6

Other

Storage cratesqty 10
Cable tiesqty 100
Gaffer tapeqty 4
Scissorsqty 6
Lost and found box

Tips

Plan 2–3 drinks per child for the first hour, then 1–2 more for each additional hour. Chill them before guests arrive and keep a separate supply available for volunteers.
Prepare at least 3 snack portions per child, plus a separate, clearly marked set for every dietary requirement collected from parents. Use serving platters, tongs and spoons rather than letting children reach into shared bowls.
Bring one reusable cup, plate and set of cutlery per child, plus 10% extra. For 30 children, that means 33 cups, 33 plates and 33 sets of cutlery.
Test the active speakers, mixing desk, wireless microphone, laptop and USB stick at least 24 hours before the disco. Pack extension cords and power strips with the equipment instead of leaving them to find on the day.
Allow 60–90 minutes for setup: clear the dance floor first, then place LED light bars, the disco light and string lights where cables cannot become trip hazards. Inflate balloons with the balloon pump and keep the photo backdrop outside the main dance area.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a kids' disco?: Allow 2–3 drinks per child for the first hour and 1–2 additional drinks for every extra hour. For 30 children at a two-hour disco, plan roughly 90–150 drinks, depending on their size and the weather.
How many snacks should I buy for a kids' disco?: Plan at least 3 snack portions per child, with extra portions for adults and volunteers. For 30 children, prepare a minimum of 90 portions and set allergy-friendly snacks aside before the table is opened.
How much tableware do I need for 30 children?: Bring 33 reusable cups, 33 plates and 33 sets of cutlery: one per child plus 10% spare. Add serving platters and at least one pair of tongs or serving spoons for each snack area.
When should I test the music and disco lights?: Test the speakers, mixing desk, microphone, laptop, USB stick and lights at least 24 hours before the event. Do a second check when setup begins, ideally 60–90 minutes before children arrive.

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