If you're not set on individually wrapped things, we once bought a barrel of those big pretzel rods for a party at that age and they were a huge hit. For whatever reason, much more exciting than regular pretzels!

Chips, fruit, cupcakes, juice , water is fine. I wouldn’t expect pizza at a non meal time.

What you mentioned sounds good. We hosted an afternoon party at a venue that didn’t allow much set/up time, and the area for eating was small. I served Goldfish and pretzels, applesauce pouches, and a cookie cake. Also had juice boxes and small water bottles. If you have more space, I think cut up fruit or bags of pre-sliced apples are a good option.

This is where you buy snack size chips. Fruit would be a nice addition too. Either a fruit tray or some you bring yourself (like mandarins they can peel on their own).

We did a playground party with LOADS of chip options in pre-portioned bags, juice boxes and cupcakes only. It was 9:30-11am, so done before lunch. If it had been at lunch time I would have added fruit and pizza and cut down on the chips.

We do fruit, applesauce pouches, goldfish and pirate's booty if we're just doing snacks.

Anonymous wrote:Yes for parents. Get pizza, subs, fruit and cut veggies.

I would not expect all that for a party outside a mealtime.

Pirates Booty and fruit are always a big hit.

If you want to be cute, you can get paper snack cups and fill them wth pretzels or goldfish. I think that plus cupcake is plenty. I would never do bags of Frito Lay crap but that's just me. Lots of people don't give their kids that stuff.

Yes for parents. Get pizza, subs, fruit and cut veggies.

The standard setup is usually one of those giant boxes of Frito Lays snack sized chips, pouches of apple sauce, and fruit snacks. Next step up is a cheese platter and fruit salad. But I also feel like, regardless what time the party takes place, pizza is also served 99.999% of the time.

It's been so long since we hosted a birthday party!! We are having a party for our 5yo at a venue where we can bring our own food (refrigeration is available if needed). Will be mid-afternoon so I was thinking cupcakes and snacks. Plus drinks like juice boxes and sparking water. But what snacks would be appealing? Snack-size bags of things like pretzels and goldfish? Fruit? Something for the parents? Needs to be fairly simple as we don't have a ton of setup time but I don't want anyone to go hungry.