Toddler birthday party shopping list

A toddler birthday party needs more than cake and balloons. Plan for child-sized seating, spill-friendly tableware, simple activities, cold drinks, and a clear place for gifts. Check dietary needs before shopping, and prepare the serving equipment and decorations a few days ahead. This list also covers easy-to-miss items such as a cake knife, candle holders, a balloon pump, and equipment for setting up music or activities safely.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Children's tablesqty 2
Children's chairsqty 12
Adult chairsqty 6
Gift table

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 24
Children's platesqty 16
Children's cutlery setsqty 16
Serving plattersqty 4
Cake Knife

Decorations

Balloonqty 40
Balloon pump
Bannersqty 4
Tableclothsqty 2
Party hatsqty 16
Gift tagsqty 20
Gift wrapqty 2
Birthday candles

Equipment

Coolersqty 2
Bluetooth Speaker
Extension cord
Air pump
Camera

Kitchen

Cutting Boardsqty 2
Kitchen knivesqty 2
Serving tongsqty 3
Water jugqty 2
Cookie tinqty 2

Sports equipment

Soft ballsqty 6
Hoopsqty 4
Coloring pagesqty 20
Colored pencilsqty 2
Bubble solutionqty 4

Cleaning

Trash binsqty 3
Dustpan and Brush
Bucket
Mop

Catering

Groceries
- Birthday cake - 1 cake
- Mini cupcakes - 24 pieces
- Small rolls - 24 pieces
- Mini hot dogs - 24 pieces
- Puff pastry snacks - 30 pieces
- Cucumber - 3 pieces
- Snack tomatoes - 2 tubs
- Carrots - 1 bag
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 12 pieces
- Bananas - 12 pieces
- Strawberries - 2 tubs
- Plain chips - 2 bags
- Paprika chips - 2 bags
- Salted sticks - 2 bags
- Popcorn - 2 bags
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Applesauce - 1 jar
- Mild cheese - 500 grams
- Chicken breast slices - 400 grams
- Chocolate spread - 1 jar
- Butter - 1 pack
- Cola - 3 bottles
- Cola Zero - 2 bottles
- Orange soda - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 cartons
- Grape juice - 2 packs
- Spa Blauw - 2 packs
- Sparkling water - 1 pack
- Coffee - 1 pack
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk - 2 liters
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Oat milk - 1 liter
- Ice cubes - 2 bags
- Paper napkins - 2 packs
- Kitchen paper - 2 rolls
- Toilet paper - 1 pack
- Trash bags - 1 roll
- Dish soap - 1 bottle
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 1 pack
- Wet wipes - 2 packs
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll

Tips

Plan one child-sized table and chair for each young guest, then add adult seating for supervision. Set these up before guests arrive so children are not eating from laps or standing around the food.
Allow roughly two to three drinks per child during the first hour, with extra water available throughout the party. Chill drinks in advance and keep a water jug where children can reach it with help.
Buy one small plate and one reusable cup per child, plus at least two spare sets for spills. Keep serving bowls, tongs, cutting boards, and kitchen knives ready before the cake and snacks are brought out.
Prepare decorations at least one day ahead: inflate balloons with a pump, hang the streamers, and set out hats and tablecloths. Keep birthday candles and the cake knife together so they are not misplaced during the party.
Choose two or three short activities and prepare enough materials for every child, plus a few extras. Soft balls, hoops, and colouring sheets work well when attention spans are short and the group needs a quick change of pace.

Frequently asked questions

How many cups and plates do I need for a toddler birthday party?: Plan one reusable cup and one child-sized plate per child, plus two to four spare sets for spills. For 10 children, prepare at least 12 to 14 cups and plates.
How much food and drink should I buy for a toddler birthday?: For drinks, allow two to three small servings per child in the first hour, then keep extra water available. Buy several small snack portions per child rather than one large serving, because toddlers often eat in short bursts.
When should I buy birthday party decorations?: Buy and check decorations at least 3 to 5 days before the party. Inflate balloons and hang streamers on the day itself, ideally 1 to 2 hours before guests arrive.
What do I need for serving a birthday cake at a toddler party?: Keep the cake, candles, a cake knife, serving plates, and a serving utensil together before the party starts. Have at least one spare candle and enough plates for every child plus 2 to 4 extras.

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.