What to Buy for a School Disco

A school disco needs more than music and a dance floor. You’ll need drinks and snacks, allergy-safe portions, labels or wristbands, bins, lighting, decorations and the equipment to keep sound and cables under control. Plan quantities around the number of pupils, volunteers and event hours rather than buying by guesswork. Keep non-perishable food ready before the day, chill drinks in advance, and check every power lead and audio item before families arrive.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 30
Buffet tablesqty 4
Coat racksqty 4
Bar stoolsqty 6
Waste binsqty 8

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Audio mixer
Music laptop
DJ controller
Microphonesqty 2
Microphone stand
Headphones
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 8
Cable traysqty 12
Coolersqty 4
Charging station

Lighting

Disco lightsqty 4
LED light tubesqty 6
LED spotlightsqty 4
Light standsqty 2

Decorations

Balloonsqty 300
Balloon pumpqty 2
Buntingqty 12
Metallic curtainsqty 6
Disco sheetsqty 8
Adhesive stripsqty 6
Tableclothsqty 10
Arrow signsqty 12
Photo frame

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 220
Platesqty 180
Cutlery setsqty 180
Serving bowlsqty 12
Serving plattersqty 10
Pliersqty 8
Serving jugsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Kettlesqty 2
Coffee maker
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Cooler cratesqty 6
Storage binsqty 12

Safety

Non-slip matsqty 6
Flashlightsqty 4
Barrier tapeqty 2
Pictogram signsqty 10
Safety vestsqty 8

Cleaning

Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Trash bag holdersqty 8
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Hand broomsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Cola - 24 liters
- Cola Zero - 12 liters
- Orange Soda - 12 liter
- Sprite - 12 liters
- Iced tea - 12 liters
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Lemonade syrup - 4 liters
- Spa Blauw - 36 liters
- Spa Rood - 12 liters
- Ice cubes - 12 kilograms
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea bags - 100 pieces
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Mints - 1 box
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Cheese and onion chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 5 kilograms
- Pretzels - 5 bags
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Mini cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 180 pieces
- Mini muffins - 180 pieces
- Fruit squeeze pouches - 60 pieces
- Apples - 80 pieces
- Bananas - 60 pieces
- Grapes - 6 kilograms
- Mandarins - 6 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Carrots - 5 kilograms
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Herb cheese - 1 kilogram
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Gluten-free crackers - 6 packs
- Gluten-free cookies - 6 packs
- Vegan brownies - 40 pieces
- Vegan muffins - 40 pieces
- Vegan hummus - 1 kilogram
- Nut-free muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Coffee creamer cups - 100 pieces
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Lemon tea - 40 bags
- Mint tea - 30 bags
- Rooibos tea - 30 bags
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Floor cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 12 pairs
- Large trash bags - 100 pieces
- Small trash bags - 50 pieces
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Label stickers - 4 sheets
- Waterproof markers - 2 packs
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Bandages - 2 boxes
- Cold packs - 4 pieces
- Tissues - 12 boxes
- Earplugs - 30 pairs

Tips

Plan two to three drinks per child for the first hour, then add one drink per child for each additional hour. Keep extra water available for volunteers and children who do not want fizzy drinks.
Prepare at least one clearly separated allergy-free portion for every stated dietary requirement, and label those portions before the buffet is opened. Do not leave allergy-safe food on a shared serving tray.
Allow one waste bin for roughly every 25 to 30 guests, with extra bins beside the buffet and cloakroom. Empty them before they overflow, not only at the end of the disco.
Use cable trays or secure adhesive strips wherever extension cords cross a route used by children. Test speakers, microphones, lights and the charging station together at least one day beforehand.
Buy or bring labels and wristbands for every registered child, plus a small reserve of about 10% for replacements. Set up arrow signs before doors open so the cloakroom, toilets and dance floor are easy to find.

Frequently asked questions

How many drinks do I need for a school disco?: Budget two to three drinks per child for the first hour, then one additional drink per child for every extra hour. Add a separate supply of water for volunteers and keep the drinks chilled before the event starts.
What snacks should I buy for a school disco?: Choose easy-to-serve, non-perishable snacks and prepare enough for every registered child, with extra portions for late arrivals. Set aside and label allergy-free portions before putting the main buffet out.
What equipment is needed for a school disco?: Plan for speakers, an audio mixer, a music laptop or DJ controller, microphones, extension cords, power strips and cable trays. Test the full setup at least 24 hours before the disco and bring spare charging options for essential devices.
How many labels or wristbands should I buy?: Prepare one label or wristband per registered child and add a reserve of about 10% for lost or damaged items. Keep the reserve at the check-in table so replacements can be issued quickly.

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.