Anonymous wrote:I make a point never to host a party during a meal time (either 10-11:30 or 2-4). That way, you just really need to serve the cake/cupcakes/donuts and some drinks. Easy and cheap!

Yes and everyone talks about your cheapness behind your back

Mini muffins
Rainbow bagels from Bethesda bagels
Mandarin oranges
Pizza

Pizza, always a couple cheese pizza at least. And a couple other with various toppings. Majority of kids like it. It is safest. Most parents don’t want to eat anything at kids parties

Not sandwiches. They always taste a day old and sale like they were picked the previous day. Pizza is always hot and fresh and reliable.

In the past mac and cheese and french fries were a huge hit. I have done a taco bar for the adults separately and saw that a lot of the kids liked the chips and some of the toppings. For our block parties the chikfila nugget trays are always a hit (but not for my vegetarian kids).

No matter what I serve I always have a lot of individual snacks like fruit cups, applesauce/yogurt pouches, string cheese, veggie straws, goldfish, fruit snacks, etc. That way if a kid doesn't like the main like pizza or mac and cheese they can usually find something to eat. Typically my kids are so excited to be at a party they're not eating a ton anyway so a quick snack is my way of getting something into them. Cut-up fruit is always a hit.

I make a point never to host a party during a meal time (either 10-11:30 or 2-4). That way, you just really need to serve the cake/cupcakes/donuts and some drinks. Easy and cheap!

Depends on the age. We had a party last month for 7 year olds. It was early afternoon (but clearly after lunch), so we did snacks: cut fruit, Goldfish, pretzels, guac and chips (all from Giant). What people ate the most of was watermelon and guac.

And not a single juice box was drunk. Everyone drank water and parents drank a couple of sodas.

We love pizza and usually add chicken tenders for those who don't like it.

I wanted to recommend chipotle kids meals though - a friend recently did these and they were a hit and pretty economical too considering you get a chips and a juice box with it too. $5 per kid and she had a dozen. No need for a fruit or veggie tray, etc. or even plates.

hoodsie cups!

In a pre-covid world, we've done taco bar and it's very successful.

Are you trying to feed kids or make a nice spread for the adults? Kids do best with pizza, chicken nuggets/tenders, bagels, and very basic de-constructed taco bars (tortillas, plain white rice, black beans, plain-ish chicken, cheese quesadillas). Plus fruit and veggie trays, and crunchy snacks. We just did a mid-meal party and had charcuterie (meat and cheese trays, crackers, hummus, fruit and veggies) and that was eaten more heavily than I anticipated. People will grab cheese and crackers even if they're not hungry, and there's enough variety that most kids can find something they'll eat.

I would do pizza or chick fil a. Add some fruit. It’s not your birthday OP it’s your kids, so do the pizza.

We've done a lot of younger b-day parties from 10:30-12:30 and people really love bagels, cream cheese, lox, fruit, etc.

The items that always went the fastest at our kids parties were:
Chick fil A nugget tray
pigs in blankets
chicken or bean taquitos
hummus and carrots
cut up fruit- not mixed together but put in separate bowls
home made crock pot of mac n cheese-no crunchy stuff on top just oey gooey pasta and cheese

I personally hate pizza but I know this is probably easiest.

Would it be a bad idea to get cava or bar taco type food?

I once put out a spread of sandwiches and salad at a my gym party and barely anyone ate. I want to say we took 90% of the food home.