What to Buy for a Youth Barbecue

A youth barbecue needs more than burgers and soft drinks. Plan food for different diets, enough cold drinks, and serving equipment that can handle a group moving through a buffet. You will also need barbecue tools, coolers, tables, shelter and lighting if the event runs into the evening. This shopping list helps you check the items people often forget, including thermometers, ice packs, water jugs, extension cords and oven mitts.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 45
Buffet tablesqty 3
Coolersqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable drinking cupsqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 50
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Soup ladlesqty 4
Water jugsqty 6

Equipment

Barbecuesqty 3
Barbecue tongsqty 6
Barbecue spatulasqty 3
Digital thermometersqty 3
Extension cordsqty 3
Bluetooth speakersqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Ice packsqty 16
Aluminum traysqty 12
Oven mittsqty 4
Kitchen scale

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Tableclothsqty 9
Table décorqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lampsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Cleaning bucketsqty 3
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Washing-up tubsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburgers - 50 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 40 pieces
- Pork satay - 40 pieces
- Barbecue sausages - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 15 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 15 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 55 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 45 pieces
- Chicken satay marinade - 2 bottles
- Hamburger sauce - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Sambal - 2 jars
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 2 packs
- Pepper - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Potato salad - 4 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 4 kilograms
- Green salad - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Red onions - 1 kilogram
- Corn cobs - 40 pieces
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Zucchini - 2 kilogram
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Herb butter bread - 6 pcs
- Water - 40 liter
- Sparkling water - 20 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 10 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 3 bottles
- Lemons - 2 kilograms
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa dip - 6 jars
- Peanut-free snack mix - 4 kilograms
- Watermelons - 4 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Brownies - 50 pieces
- Marshmallows - 2 kilograms
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Honey - 1 jar
- Charcoal - 30 kilograms
- Firelighters - 3 boxes
- Matches - 3 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Napkins - 250 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 6 pairs
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Plan around 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then about 1 drink per hour. Add extra water and use coolers with ice packs so drinks stay cold throughout the event.
Buy vegetarian food separately from the meat and keep it on its own serving platter. Set aside dedicated tongs to prevent mix-ups with dietary requirements.
Allow at least one reusable plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra. Serving platters, tongs, water jugs and tablecloths are easy to overlook when shopping.
Bring a digital thermometer, barbecue tongs, spatulas, oven mitts and aluminum trays. Check the center of meat with the thermometer rather than relying only on cooking time.
If the barbecue continues after sunset, take string lights and extension cords, but check the venue first. Party tents, tables, chairs and coolers should be confirmed or collected before the shopping day.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a youth barbecue?: Plan about 300–400 g of food per person, including meat, vegetarian products, vegetables, bread and sides. Add around 10% extra if guests are likely to arrive hungry or stay for several hours.
How many drinks should I buy for a youth barbecue?: Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and 1 drink per person for each additional hour. Provide water throughout, and keep the drinks chilled in coolers with ice packs.
What barbecue equipment is easy to forget?: Check for barbecue tongs, spatulas, a digital thermometer, oven mitts and aluminum trays. Have these ready at least 1 hour before lighting the barbecue so preparation does not stop once cooking begins.
How many plates and cups do I need for the group?: Start with 1 reusable plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per guest, then add 10% extra. For 30 guests, that means at least 33 of each item, plus serving platters, tongs and water jugs.

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