What to buy for a raft building day

A raft building day needs more than barrels and rope. You will need enough construction materials for each team, properly fitted safety equipment, tools that can handle outdoor assembly, and waterproof storage for phones and valuables. Food, chilled groceries, drinks and serving supplies also need a transport and cooling plan. Use this list to shop early, then check quantities against your participant count and team setup before loading the materials.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 30
Beer tablesqty 4
Coolersqty 4

Raft materials

Plastic barrelsqty 16
Wooden support beamsqty 32
Wooden planksqty 24
Rope rollsqty 6
Ratchet strapsqty 24
Cable tiesqty 200
Paddlesqty 12
Waterproof storage cratesqty 8

Safety

Life jacketsqty 30
Safety helmetsqty 30
Work glovesqty 30
Rescue linesqty 4
Whistlesqty 30
First aid kitsqty 2
Waterproof phone casesqty 6

Tools

Rubber malletsqty 6
Hand sawsqty 4
Cordless drill driversqty 4
Measuring tapesqty 4
Bench visesqty 2
Wrench setsqty 4
Screwdriver setsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable drinking cupsqty 80
Reusable platesqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 8

Kitchen

Gas barbecuesqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 2
Barbecue tongsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Ice packsqty 24

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 8
String lightsqty 4

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Bucketsqty 8
Spongesqty 12
Hand broomsqty 4
Floor squeegeesqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 48 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 4 bottles
- Beer - 72 cans
- Alcohol-free beer - 24 cans
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Ice cubes - 20 kilo
- Beef burgers - 30 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 10 pieces
- Barbecue sausages - 30 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 30 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 40 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 30 pieces
- Sliced cheese - 2 packs
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Onions - 2 kilos
- Potato salad - 4 kilos
- Coleslaw - 4 kilo
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Peanuts - 4 bags
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 24 pieces
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Wet wipes - 4 packs

Tips

Plan one complete building set per team rather than making teams share basic equipment. Count plastic barrels, wooden supports, planks and rope rolls first, then add ratchet straps and cable ties for securing the frame.
Provide one life jacket and one safety helmet for every participant who will be on or near the water. Add work gloves for builders, plus at least one rescue line, whistle and first aid kit at the waterfront.
Check tools before the event and bring backups for the items most likely to cause delays. For several teams, shared drills, saws, measuring tapes and wrench sets can create a queue, so match the number of tools to the team schedule.
Keep phones, keys and paperwork in waterproof storage crates or phone cases from the start. Do not leave these items on the raft, beside the water or in open bags while teams are building.
Buy chilled groceries close to the event and transport them in coolers. Chill drinks before setup, and bring enough reusable cups, plates and cutlery for the full group plus a small reserve for lost or damaged items.

Frequently asked questions

How many life jackets do I need for raft building?: Buy one life jacket for every participant who will enter the water, and keep a few spare sizes if attendance is uncertain. Check the venue rules before ordering, because some sites require specific buoyancy ratings.
What materials are needed to build a raft?: A typical team needs plastic barrels, wooden support beams, wooden planks, rope, ratchet straps and cable ties. Confirm the required quantity and weight limit with the venue or activity provider at least one week before the event.
What tools should I bring for raft building?: Plan for rubber mallets, hand saws, cordless drill drivers, measuring tapes, bench vises, wrench sets and screwdriver sets. Test battery tools the day before and charge spare batteries overnight.
When should I buy food and drinks for a raft building event?: Buy non-refrigerated groceries two to three days before the event, then purchase chilled food and drinks one day before. Load coolers shortly before leaving so perishable items stay cold during transport and setup.

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