Do I need to serve food (other than cake & ice cream) at my 3 year olds birthday party?

Question

We are having a party with 12 kids at a local kids activity center. The party is going to be from 11a-1p. The kids will doing activities for an hour and a half and have the party for the other 30 mins. Should I have sandwiches or snacks for the parents and kids in addition to the cake? Since we don't have much time to each and open presents I am torn between providing food and not. If I should provide more than just cake what should I provide? Something that does not require heating up, because they don't have any kitchen facilities at the activity center.

I don't want to have food delivered because there is another party starting at 1:15 and if the food is not delivered on time (within the 30 minute window for the party) then it won't work. If I have food I'd like to be able to bring it with me before the party starts.

Answer 1

I would have pizza delivered and order enough for the parents too.

Answer 2

Yes, you need to serve food,BUT do not go overboard. Serve food, don't feed them so much they won't need dinner! Go to subway or port a subs and get a couple of foot longs cut them into 4's or get a six foot ( get all condiments on the side)-You invited a lot of people. And bring it with you to the party so people can eat right away. Let the kids play for the full time and if time runs out, open the presents at home and just be sure to write down everything for your thank you cards. Remember it's YOUR child's birthday, no one else!
Another idea is to eat and let the kids run around at the center then come back to your house for cake and ice cream? Just a suggestion.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, having the party from 11 - 1, which traditionally includes lunch time, I think you've set yourself up to have to provide soomething with some protein, nutritional value. I agree with the 1st person to answer, pizza would be an easy choice. Kids like it, so they may actually eat part of a piece before charging up with cake & ice cream.
And, with that age group - make sure you have twice as many napkins than you think you need.
Bless your heart - having a party that large for 3 year olds - you're a brave woman. I hope you have a minute or two to really enjoy watching your little one celebrate and have fun. If you haven't already done so, recruit at least one helper so you can take pictures.

Answer 4

Since it is during lunchtime, I'd offer something besides the cake & ice cream.

Make sandwiches ahead of time, then cut then with cookie cutters into fun shapes - easy and the kids will get a kick out of it. Have some carrots & dip or chips or something else simple on the side and that would be enough.

If that isn't something like you'd want to do, is it too late to change the time of the party? Because at that time, cake is really not enough.

And yes, I have two young kids of my own, so I understand your dilemma! :)

Answer 5

It is during prime lunch hours so have some lunch for them too. Try some little healthy finger foods...I have made PB&J for my daughters party and cut them onto cute little shapes with cookie cutters. Just order some already made sandwiches for the adults. That will be enough in addition to the cake.

Answer 6

I would provide some healthy snacks to counterbalance all the sugar in the cake and ice cream, or otherwise you may have a batch of sugar-hyped kids. It doesn't have to be a complicated menu, either.

Small cheese sandwiches, pita triangles or veggies and dip, or other finger foods would be a good idea, and I'm sure the parents would appreciate them, too.

Answer 7

For kids: Tacos is good and easy to make. Buy the soft and hard taco shells from Walmart or some similar store in your are. For ingredients you need: kidney beans, chopped onion, tomato ketchup, butter and salt. There will be a lot of help once you have the settings on the table. For adults: Our usual, Pizza or order some Chinese. Usually the Chinese (Hakka Chinese) stores have meals for 20. I usually order separately - Shrimp fried rice in a tray around $22, Chilly Chicken (Dry) in a tray $35, Shrimp Pakkora for 15 - $25, Manchurian Beef in a tray $30 around $110 delivered. This is true for Toronto, must be cheaper in other places.

Answer 8

Maybe you should change the time of the party, since it is right during lunch. I would expect my kids to eat there during that time of the day. I never do food. Its too much of a hassle. Thats why I always have their party around 2 or 3. Sandwhiches & vegies sticks would be enough to get them through the party.

Answer 9

first off you invited too many kids the best rule is 1 guest per year of age plus at most 2 more. But Ya since you chose over lunch time you would be best to serve an assortment of sandwiches and fruit and some kind of non carbonated juice.

Answer 10

You can always do what I did. My 3 yr old party was mostly family with little kids. You can always do finger sandwiches. Little triangles without crust for the kids and homemade subs for the adults. For the kids, sandwiches with PB&J and Ham and cheese and for the adults EVERYTHING. I did a theme for my daughters party with little plastic bugs and ants. Kinda like a picnic. They loved it. Then instead of sodas I got a plastic punch bowl with green punch kids thought it was boogers LOL. If you need anything else let me know. [e-mail]

Answer 11

Some kids might not sit for an hour and a half to do crafts, and they should be hungry at that time. But don't make it so hard for yourself, just order pizza for everyone and enjoy the party.