Pigs in the blanket, meatballs, chicken Waldorf salad with crackers, order tray of nuggets from chick-fil-a which was always a huge hit.

It was a brunch for my 5yr old:

Lox/cream cheese platter
Baked french toast
Home made tabouli
Bacon
pb & bananna sandwich triangles
Fruit bowl
Coctail meatballs
Egg casserole bake
Vegetables and spinach dip

It was served buffet style and people grazed the whole time

Taquitos, Little corn dogs (huge hit), guacamole and chips, shrimp cocktail, meats/cheese/antipasti

Pizza, fruit kabobs, and carrots with ranch dressing or hummus. I bought a sandwich platter one year and no one touched it, so I stick with pizza now.

Op here! Thanks for all the input!! Great ideas! (For the record, I thought the baseball theme was cute)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:hot dogs
fruit
chips
cracker jacks
gatorade

(It was a baseball-themed party)

That's cute! (C'mon, gross poster. Get in the spirit!)

Even better if you served beer on tap in plastic cups for the adults!

Anonymous wrote:hot dogs
fruit
chips
cracker jacks
gatorade

(It was a baseball-themed party)

That's cute! (C'mon, gross poster. Get in the spirit!)

Anonymous wrote:hot dogs
fruit
chips
cracker jacks
gatorade

(It was a baseball-themed party)

Gross.

Regular salad, make your own sandwiches, fruit (separate as some kids will not eat it in the same bowl), chips, veggie platter. Tried to make sure everyone has something to eat, especially vegetarian.

Like the brunch idea with regular and mini bagels, muffin, yogurt and cheese/cold cut tray but I would also add some fresh fruit and veggies.

I think the costco dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets go over well for big groups of kids - most kids like nuggets, they are not messy, and they are good "on the go" food, meaning the kids can eat one, run around, eat another, etc. I'd also have bowls of goldfish crackers, fruit salad, and possibly go gurts (yogurt). I'd probably also put out a pasta salad since you expect the adults to stay for the party - or order a wrap platter but just to serve 20 (the adults).
Anither idea is brunch food - bagels (mini bagels), muffins, fruit salad, yogurt, cheese/cold cut tray.

Sandwich platter (cream cheese & jam, ham & cheese); mixed meats and sliced cheese with crackers; fruit tray; veggie tray with Ranch dip and hummus. Kids were ages 3-7, it was well received. This was an "away" party where I couldn't use a stove or oven - I've previously grilled chicken thighs or made Mac & Cheese for parties at home.

With kids that little, I'd avoid hot dogs but I'm also very conservative about choking hazards.

DD's birthday was last month and our menu included a sandwich platter, veggies and crackers and hummus, fruit and cheese tray and cupcakes. Simple but food that works for both kids and adults.

hot dogs
fruit
chips
cracker jacks
gatorade

(It was a baseball-themed party)

For our spring birthday boy, we often do a backyard party and grill (chicken drumsticks & hot dogs last year) plus a big fruit salad and some other salad. Also veggies and dip and chips and salsa. I've also done big platters of different kinds of roll ups sliced into circles (fancy fillings for the grown ups, kid friendly for the kids) which went over well but took some time to assemble. I like to get creative, but almost every single kids party I've attended had pizza, which is fine too.

I'm in the early planning stages for my child's birthday party. Ages range from 2-6 year olds. About 20 kids/20 parents. Lunchtime party. So I'm collecting ideas! What did you serve at your last kids party? What went over well? Thanks!