OP here.

Ok, so pizza is enough!

These forums crack me up. On *MOST* party questions, the host asks "Is pizza enough?" and people say "No, you need fruit/hummus/goldish/salad for adults" and on and on. I always thought that was crazy.

Now, we went to a party with just pizza. It was from 11:30-1:30, so exactly lunch time. After an hour of jumping, everyone was pretty hungry.

Food service isn't sufficient.

And yes, there was cake.

At 3, my son was the youngest. Everyone else was 5-9 years old.

First off OP never expect to be served food at a kid party. The bounce house places provide the amount of food per child. An adult can wait until 1:30 to eat.

Second, how was pizza and cake not enough to satisfy one meal for a 3 year old? Why was your child “starving”?

Why wasn’t pizza enough for a 3 yr old? It wasn’t a party for 15 yr old boys. Then pizza would be the appetizer. My kid doesn’t like pizza so 8 always made him eat something before he went to a party since most of them have pizza.

Wasn’t there cake?!?

Catered food is a must, pizza is ehh

Yeah just eat more pizza if you’re hungry. But that said when we had a pizza party where the kids played first we put out pretzels, tangerines, and maybe 1-2 similar snacks before pizza was served.

Pp who posted "If hosting..." post.

If you are a guest, expect the worst and be prepared. This may require you to bring food.

If hosting during a mealtime, provide an entree food (in addition to cake). Provide an ample amount for all guests, including parents if the party is for an age group where parents commonly stay. If nothing was left over, you didn't provide enough food. I appreciate when parents add fruit and veggies to a party lunch, but I don't expect it.

If not, provide some snacks like popcorn or fruit and cake.

Whatever you are providing (or not) indicate it on the invitation so people know whether they should expect to feed their kids a meal.

If kids are little, lunch should not be served later than most kids usually eat it at home. For me, that would mean serving lunch by noon, but it might vary by community and culture.

Go buy your own food, then.

Yea, you’re early on this journey. Plan on it being pizza and go from there. People are limited by the venues. Weird times, pizza only, pizza served at non-meal times. We just roll with it.

Why were you and your kid starving, OP? Was there not enough pizza to go around? Otherwise it seems like the pizza could hold you over for a couple hours, at least.

When we do parties at the -Zone type places, we order the pizza they provide (from Armand's) and their vegetable trays. The kids typically don't touch the vegetables, so it's kind of a waste, but a parent or two will take a nibble.

1. Why was your son starving? Does he not like pizza?

2. Why are you complaining about starving? You're an adult -- it's not a big deal to have a late lunch once in a while. Eat what you want when you get home. Or keep an emergency protein bar in your purse.

How does pizza not satisfy a 3 year old? There wasn’t enough for kids to have 1 or 2 slices? Who brings their own lunch to a birthday party unless there are allergy reasons? Strange guest behavior. Go home and eat more or stop somewhere on the way home if pizza isn’t enough for your 3 year old or you.

I like to offer more than pizza because not all kids like pizza--but sometimes venues are restrictive about what you can bring in and what they offer. I try to make clear on the invitation what food will be offered so people have some idea.

On the other hand, if your party isn't over a meal time I don't think you even need pizza just snacks.

I admit to being one of the "pizza is enough for a party!" believers. That was before I had kids who were old enough for parties. Oh, what I'm learning...

My son went to a birthday party at a trampoline place yesterday from 11:30-1:30. It was our first time going to a party at a place like that (he's only 3). He bounced for an hour and then we went to the party room.

They ONLY served pizza (the pizza provided by the trampoline place). My son was starving and so was I. This was one time I hadn't packed a lunch for myself and him. Stupid mistake. He was starving. I was starving. Adults were starving.

So, what team are you on?

1. Assume only pizza. Bring your own food or purchase from the arcade.

2. Serve fruit and vegetables, people!