I would still serve pizza and cake. The kids will be hungry by 4:00. If you decide not to serve pizza, please put that on the invitation.

Just posted this in a "pizza" thread

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/456360.page#6624773

Our party was in the afternoon like yours.

Anonymous wrote:I agree that fruit/veggies and cake is plenty.

Whatever you do, make sure it's clear on the invite "snacks and cake will be served" or "pizza and cake will be served" so parents can plan accordingly.

Given the consensus here regarding snacks, not pizza, do I really need to state this? Sounds like no one would expect a full meal at that hour. There will be LOTS of snack food (qty and variety).

I would pick a few snacks to put out (fruit plate, veggie plate, crackers & cheese, pita & hummus, tortilla chips & salsa, etc.) & then serve cake. 2:30-4:30 doesn't really cover a meal time so I wouldn't serve pizza; the guests will almost certainly have eaten lunch before the party & won't plan on having dinner until after the party.

Main thing too is that if you just do cake and/or cake and fruit, plan an activity because it won't take an hour to eat cake and sing happy birthday. The eating part will most likely only take maybe 20 minutes...if that.

I agree that fruit/veggies and cake is plenty.

Whatever you do, make sure it's clear on the invite "snacks and cake will be served" or "pizza and cake will be served" so parents can plan accordingly.

We did pizza, nuggets and fruit. Almost all the pizza and all the nuggets were gone! This was my son's 6th bday a few months back.

just attended the same party/time slot. mini carrots, fruit, string cheese, mini waters and juice boexes -- then cake was the menu. it was perfect.

Fabulous, thank you! I figured as much, but def. don't want be cheap. Will have a nice snack spread. (So tired of pizza.)

I agree no one will expect a meal. I think it is nice to offer some non-sweet items like veggies/dip and cheese/crackers.

That's a snack time. No one will expect a meal. Offer fruit plate and hummus/veggies/pita/cracker plate.

I would probably do fruit plate, veggie plate, pita/hummus, cheese and crackers.

With cake, I would go with some fruit.

I would bring cake, of course, and maybe a fruit/veggie plate. As a guest, I would only expect cake and would plan accordingly.

DS's 5th birthday party venue only has a 2:30-4:30 time slot, so we'll be in the party room from 3:30-4:30 (Sunday, if it matters). What food to serve with the cake? Pizza? Mini sandwiches? Fruit/cheese/crackers? We can bring in any food, inc. homemade, that we want, but we won't have access to a fridge or kitchen.