What to Buy for a School Quiz

A school quiz needs more than questions and answer sheets. Plan drinks and snacks for the full quiz period, then add enough cups, plates, serving utensils and waste bins for quick breaks between rounds. This checklist also covers practical items that are easy to miss, such as pitchers, thermos flasks, coolers and labels for dietary requirements. Buy or gather everything a few days ahead, so the final shopping trip is limited to fresh food and chilled drinks.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 90
Registration desk
Presentation table
Buffet tablesqty 3
Waste binsqty 6

Equipment

Laptop
Projector
Projection screen
Speakersqty 2
Wireless microphone
Microphone stand
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
HDMI cableqty 2
USB stickqty 2
Timerqty 2
Calculatorsqty 4
Power banksqty 2

Tableware

Reusable glassesqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 40
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 6
Pitchersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 2
Kitchen knivesqty 3
Storage binsqty 12
Pliersqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2
Bottle openersqty 3

Decorations

Team table cardsqty 20
Round signsqty 8
Directional signsqty 8
Balloonsqty 80
Balloon ribbonqty 2
Tableclothsqty 12
Prize tablecloth
Wayfinding cardsqty 10

Lighting

Mood lightingqty 4
LED lightsqty 6

Cleaning

Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 2
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Mints - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Paprika chips - 5 bags
- Plain chips - 5 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Snack nuts - 3 bags
- Popcorn - 3 bags
- Cheese cubes - 2 kilogram
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Mini ice pops - 80 pieces
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Cocktail sauce - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini white rolls - 100 pieces
- Mini multigrain rolls - 60 pieces
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Back ham - 1 kilogram
- Chicken breast slices - 1 kilogram
- Hummus spread - 1 kilogram
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Cucumber salad - 3 tubs
- Pasta salad - 5 kilograms
- Potato salad - 5 kilograms
- Green salad - 4 trays
- Dextrose - 3 bags
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Chocolate bars - 80 pieces
- Vegan cookies - 3 packs
- Gluten-free crackers - 3 packs
- Gluten-free sandwiches - 12 pieces
- Vegan sandwiches - 20 pieces
- Vegan spread - 4 packs
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 shaker
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Napkins - 250 pieces
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Pedal bin liners - 20 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 packs
- Printer paper - 2 packs
- Ballpoint pens - 100 pieces
- Pencils - 30 pieces
- Erasers - 20 pieces
- Highlighters - 2 sets
- Packing tape - 4 rolls
- Kneadable eraser - 2 packs
- Paper envelopes - 30 pieces
- Gift vouchers - 3 pieces
- Medal ribbons - 3 sets

Tips

Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then add one drink per person for each additional hour. Include water as well as other drinks and chill them before participants arrive.
Plan one snack portion per person for every planned break, plus about 10% extra. Keep separate portions clearly labelled for each dietary requirement instead of placing them on one shared platter.
Bring one reusable glass or cup per person and keep at least 10% spare. For hot drinks, provide one coffee cup per expected coffee or tea drinker and use thermos flasks so service does not depend on a kitchen tap.
Match plates, cutlery sets, serving platters and serving spoons to the number of snack stations. Put out one waste bin per serving area and one near registration to prevent rubbish collecting on team tables.
Check the technical kit at least 48 hours before the quiz: laptop, projector, screen, speakers, microphone, HDMI cable, extension cords and power strips. Pack a USB stick with the presentation and backup questions, and charge power banks before leaving.

Frequently asked questions

How much food and drink do I need for a school quiz?: Plan two to three drinks per person during the first hour, then one more per person for every extra hour. Allow one snack portion per person per break and buy roughly 10% extra for late arrivals or larger appetites.
What tableware is needed for a school quiz?: Provide one reusable glass or cup per participant, with 10% spare, plus plates and cutlery for each person eating snacks. You will also need serving platters, serving spoons, pitchers and thermos flasks for the service points.
What should I buy for dietary requirements at a school quiz?: Use the confirmed registration information to prepare one clearly labelled portion or serving tray for each dietary requirement. Finalise the labels and separate food at least one day before the quiz, then keep those portions covered until serving.
When should I prepare the shopping for a school quiz?: Check the full list 3 to 5 days before the event and buy non-perishable supplies then. Purchase fresh food and chilled drinks no later than the day before, so drinks can cool and dietary items can be labelled in time.

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