Birthday party
A birthday for a crowd: cake and candles, plates and cups for everyone, drinks, decorations and favors.
Amounts below are for 20 people, 12 kids. They are planning estimates; change any of them on your list.
Saves the 15 must-haves, 5 easy-to-forget items and 3 things to do to a list on this device. Upgrades are up to you. Then shop the list item by item and tick things off.
At a glance
- 🔎 Birthday cake or cupcakes20 servings
- 🔎 Candles and lighter1 set
- 🔎 Number candles1 set
- 🔎 Paper plates30 plates
- 🔎 Cups40 cups
- 🔎 Napkins60 napkins
- 🔎 Plastic utensils30 sets
- 🔎 Juice boxes24 juice boxes
- 🔎 Pizza8 pizzas
- 🔎 Chips3 bags
- 🔎 Balloons24 balloons
- 🔎 Banner1 banner
- 🔎 Party favors12 favors
- 🔎 Ice20 pounds
- 🔎 Trash bags10 bags
🛒 0 exact products we picked · 🔎 15 Amazon searches, so you choose the brand and size.
Must-haves (15)
Birthday cake or cupcakes
One serving each. Bakery cakes list servings on the box.
Get about 20 servings
20 people × 1 = 20 servings
Candles and lighter
Get about 1 set
1 set for the group
Amazon search: “birthday candles”
Number candles
Get about 1 set
1 set for the group
- Must-have
Paper plates
Our rule: one and a half per person per meal; people grab seconds.
Get about 30 plates (1 × 100-pack)
20 people × 1 meal × 1.5 = 30 plates
- Must-have
Cups
Get about 40 cups (1 × 50-pack)
20 people × 1 meal × 2 = 40 cups
Amazon search: “disposable cups”
- Must-have
Napkins
Get about 60 napkins (1 × 250-pack)
20 people × 1 meal × 3 = 60 napkins
- Must-have
Plastic utensils
Get about 30 sets (1 × 100-pack)
20 people × 1 meal × 1.5 = 30 sets
Amazon search: “disposable cutlery set”
Juice boxes
Get about 24 juice boxes (1 × 32-pack)
12 kids × 1 day × 2 = 24 juice boxes
Pizza
Our rule: about 3 slices each, 8 slices a pizza. Kids often eat less.
Get about 8 pizzas
20 people × 0.4 = 8 pizzas
Amazon search: “frozen pizza”
Chips
Our rule: a family-size bag feeds about 6–7.
Get about 3 bags
20 people × 0.15 = 3 bags
Amazon search: “chips variety pack”
Balloons
Get about 24 balloons (1 × 24-pack)
24 balloons for the group
Banner
Get about 1 banner
1 banner for the group
Amazon search: “happy birthday banner”
Party favors
Get about 12 favors
12 kids × 1 = 12 favors
Amazon search: “party favors for kids”
Ice
Our rule: about a pound per person per day for drinks; more if the cooler holds food.
Get about 20 pounds
20 people × 1 day × 1 = 20 pounds
Amazon search: “bagged ice”
- Must-have
Trash bags
Our rule: half a bag per person per day; at least one per day.
Get about 10 bags (1 × 50-pack)
20 people × 1 day × 0.5 = 10 bags
Amazon search: “heavy duty trash bags”
Easy to forget (5)
Cake knife and server
Get about 1 set
1 set for the group
Amazon search: “cake server set”
Gift bags
Get about 12 bags (1 × 12-pack)
12 kids × 1 = 12 bags
Ice cream
Our rule: a 1.5-quart tub serves about 8.
Get about 3 tubs
20 people × 0.12 = 3 tubs (rounded up)
Thank-you cards
Get about 1 pack
1 pack for the group
- Must-haveOur pick
Cooler
Coleman 62-quart wheeled cooler
A big wheeled cooler for camp, games and outages.
Good for: Camping and outages
Get about 3 coolers
20 people × 0.15 = 3 coolers
Our rule: one large cooler for every six or seven people.
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Upgrades (5)
Balloon arch kit
Get about 1 kit
1 kit for the group
Helium tank
Get about 1 tank
1 tank for the group
Amazon search: “helium tank for balloons”
Pinata
Get about 1 pinata
1 pinata for the group
Photo backdrop and props
Get about 1 set
1 set for the group
Amazon search: “photo booth props”
Party plates with a theme
Get about 30 plates
20 people × 1.5 = 30 plates
Amazon search: “birthday party plates”
Spend less (1)
Instead of balloon arch kit:
Streamers and confetti
Get about 1 pack
1 pack for the group
Amazon search: “party streamers”
Things to do (3)
- ✅ Guest list and RSVPsAsk about food allergies when people reply.
- ✅ Ask families about allergies
- ✅ Confirm the headcount
More in parties and entertaining
General planning information, not professional or medical advice. A list does not guarantee anyone’s safety. In any emergency, call your local emergency number and follow official guidance from local authorities.
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