I would add something that's filling but not chicken. It's all chicken main dishes- nuggets, chicken sandwich, grilled chicken... Maybe add a pasta salad or some other veg-friendly filling dish? I also like the idea of having a vegetable tray with hummus.

So I would get the large tray of nuggets, large tray of sandwiches, add chips, and some kind of bulky veg option like the pasta salad or hummus/veg platter. If you're buying cookies, fine. If not, just make the cupcakes and don't worry about a second dessert. If you can get other families to bring drinks, ice, and chips, napkins, etc., that's even better!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I tend to, okay ALWAYS, make too much food. We're having a party at a park and only have ~15 minutes to set up, so I don't want to do too much. We currently have 12 kids (all under 5) and 13 adults for a noon party. Possible we might get more RSVP's, but I'd like to go ahead and order the food in case they give away time slots.

- 1 medium Chick-fil-a nugget tray for the kids (claims to serve 15-18, small claims 8-10)
- 1 large mixed chicken salad sandwich/grilled chicken wrap tray for the adults (claims to serve 7-14...should I order more or two of these instead?, small: 3-6, med: 5-10)
- mixed fruit tray (I'm making, not Chick-Fil-A)
- Goldfish (they fit the theme)
- cookies (or maybe just some M&M's)
- cupcakes (planning on just making 2 dozen because my recipe only doubles)

There are a lot of activities kids can do at the park, so I'm anticipating most will probably eat a quick lunch and then get to the activities planned. We'll probably do cupcakes after we eat so we don't have to try and wrangle everyone back to the party spot later on.

Get the large tray. Trust me. BTDT.

Ha! OK...that's 200 nuggets! My 4 YO rarely eats more than 4. $28 more expensive, too. You really think 120 isn't enough for that size party, or you'd worry more people would come than RSVPed? We're new to the preschool party circuit, but there were about 10 kids at the last one we attended.

But most people prefer the nuggets over the wraps. IME.

Anonymous wrote:I'm a grown up. I want nuggets. Not chicken salad. Dump the sandwiches, and do nuggets for all.

I'm eating nuggets, too. When no one is looking.

-OP

I'm a grown up. I want nuggets. Not chicken salad. Dump the sandwiches, and do nuggets for all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I tend to, okay ALWAYS, make too much food. We're having a party at a park and only have ~15 minutes to set up, so I don't want to do too much. We currently have 12 kids (all under 5) and 13 adults for a noon party. Possible we might get more RSVP's, but I'd like to go ahead and order the food in case they give away time slots.

- 1 medium Chick-fil-a nugget tray for the kids (claims to serve 15-18, small claims 8-10)
- 1 large mixed chicken salad sandwich/grilled chicken wrap tray for the adults (claims to serve 7-14...should I order more or two of these instead?, small: 3-6, med: 5-10)
- mixed fruit tray (I'm making, not Chick-Fil-A)
- Goldfish (they fit the theme)
- cookies (or maybe just some M&M's)
- cupcakes (planning on just making 2 dozen because my recipe only doubles)

There are a lot of activities kids can do at the park, so I'm anticipating most will probably eat a quick lunch and then get to the activities planned. We'll probably do cupcakes after we eat so we don't have to try and wrangle everyone back to the party spot later on.

Get the large tray. Trust me. BTDT.

Ha! OK...that's 200 nuggets! My 4 YO rarely eats more than 4. $28 more expensive, too. You really think 120 isn't enough for that size party, or you'd worry more people would come than RSVPed? We're new to the preschool party circuit, but there were about 10 kids at the last one we attended.

If you have a mini muffin pan, you may want to do what I do, which is fill up the mini muffins and then do the remainder regular cupcakes. They are just as zippy to frost with piped bag, even though you feel like you are doing a million. Lots of kids will just choose one or two minis, and moms too

Anonymous wrote:I tend to, okay ALWAYS, make too much food. We're having a party at a park and only have ~15 minutes to set up, so I don't want to do too much. We currently have 12 kids (all under 5) and 13 adults for a noon party. Possible we might get more RSVP's, but I'd like to go ahead and order the food in case they give away time slots.

- 1 medium Chick-fil-a nugget tray for the kids (claims to serve 15-18, small claims 8-10)
- 1 large mixed chicken salad sandwich/grilled chicken wrap tray for the adults (claims to serve 7-14...should I order more or two of these instead?, small: 3-6, med: 5-10)
- mixed fruit tray (I'm making, not Chick-Fil-A)
- Goldfish (they fit the theme)
- cookies (or maybe just some M&M's)
- cupcakes (planning on just making 2 dozen because my recipe only doubles)

There are a lot of activities kids can do at the park, so I'm anticipating most will probably eat a quick lunch and then get to the activities planned. We'll probably do cupcakes after we eat so we don't have to try and wrangle everyone back to the party spot later on.

Get the large tray. Trust me. BTDT.

Anonymous wrote:You don't list any drinks. Even if you just bring Dixie or Solo cups and two gallons of cold water that will be better than nothing.

Thanks for the reminder. I will probably do Honest juice boxes, bottled waters, and maybe a soda option (cans) for the adults. I don't want to mess with cups. Since it's at a park and it will be warm, I'll make sure to have extra waters available for after we eat.

Anonymous wrote:We got subway and all the adults and kids ate. We expected a lot more food left over (which was fine as the staff where we were doing it wanted it for their lunch). Parents eating depends on the food served. We are vegetarian, so we would not be eating (I would not say anything and just decline eating). I'd make a simple pasta salad with pasta, some veggies, cheese and italian dressing. I'd also make sure that everyone eats chicken.

I'm trying to avoid needing forks and knives. What about adding a veggie platter with tomatoes, carrots, celery, and hummus? I asked for dietary restrictions in the invite, and no one has indicated anything thus far. Of the people I know who are coming, I know there are no restrictions.

You don't list any drinks. Even if you just bring Dixie or Solo cups and two gallons of cold water that will be better than nothing.

I think you're fine.

We got subway and all the adults and kids ate. We expected a lot more food left over (which was fine as the staff where we were doing it wanted it for their lunch). Parents eating depends on the food served. We are vegetarian, so we would not be eating (I would not say anything and just decline eating). I'd make a simple pasta salad with pasta, some veggies, cheese and italian dressing. I'd also make sure that everyone eats chicken.

Anonymous wrote:We just had a bday party for a 4 year old, and the adults didn't eat. So, I think that sounds like enough!

That's been my experience, too, especially with parties that are mostly preschool parents. I think parents will eat when they're all friends, because last year we had no preschool party, parent/kid friends only, and people ate a lot, but we don't know many of the parents coming to this party very well.

We just had a bday party for a 4 year old, and the adults didn't eat. So, I think that sounds like enough!

I tend to, okay ALWAYS, make too much food. We're having a party at a park and only have ~15 minutes to set up, so I don't want to do too much. We currently have 12 kids (all under 5) and 13 adults for a noon party. Possible we might get more RSVP's, but I'd like to go ahead and order the food in case they give away time slots.

- 1 medium Chick-fil-a nugget tray for the kids (claims to serve 15-18, small claims 8-10)
- 1 large mixed chicken salad sandwich/grilled chicken wrap tray for the adults (claims to serve 7-14...should I order more or two of these instead?, small: 3-6, med: 5-10)
- mixed fruit tray (I'm making, not Chick-Fil-A)
- Goldfish (they fit the theme)
- cookies (or maybe just some M&M's)
- cupcakes (planning on just making 2 dozen because my recipe only doubles)

There are a lot of activities kids can do at the park, so I'm anticipating most will probably eat a quick lunch and then get to the activities planned. We'll probably do cupcakes after we eat so we don't have to try and wrangle everyone back to the party spot later on.