Anonymous
Post 05/29/2015 15:59     Subject: s/o Party 10-Noon what food to serve?
Most of the kids' parties I've been to did NOT serve pizza. A couple were brunch-type foods, one was macaroni and cheese and sides, one was grilled hot dogs and burgers, and some were just snacks and cake. Pizza might be common but it's hardly "traditional."

And frankly, just because some kids are really picky eaters is no reason for everyone to serve the same boring food at parties. There are lots of good options, even within the bounds of "kid food."
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2015 15:53     Subject: s/o Party 10-Noon what food to serve?
Anonymous wrote:Well my main point isn't exactly how much carbs are or aren't in whatever food but that a traditional kid's party is pizza and cake. Every party I attend that doesn't have pizza, leaves kids asking, where's the pizza. They don't seem to be rude about it, they are just looking forward to their traditional food. It is helpful if you specify what food you are serving in the invite so that I can tell my dd what to expect. She is very picky and loves cheese pizza, but won't eat many of the other things mentioned on this thread. But if you can't have pizza, then you can't.


Not sure if your kids are still young but our experience has been that as the kids get older the menus branch out in all different directions. The partygoers tend to go with the flow. They either try what is served or they just eat when they get home and it isn't a big deal. It isn't as much about whether OP can have pizza, maybe they prefer not to and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2015 15:49     Subject: Re:s/o Party 10-Noon what food to serve?
There certainly are a lot of particular parents about food. My kid doesn't even eat breakfast until 9-10 on the weekends. So he isn't hungry for lunch. He might have a snack in the afternoon and then we eat dinner between 5-7.
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2015 15:42     Subject: Re:s/o Party 10-Noon what food to serve?
It's fine, OP. Most families I know, even those with young kids, don't eat lunch before 12 on the weekends & I've yet to meet a kid who doesn't like bagels. A lot of parents will probably be happy for a break from the usual pizza they are served at parties!
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2015 15:38     Subject: s/o Party 10-Noon what food to serve?
Anonymous wrote:You'll need lunch food. My kid would not touch bagels with tomatos and cream cheese, he might nibble on a plain bagel but that's not lunch. The breakfast spread is great for adults but get some pizza or even PBJs for the kids before giving them cake!


Then give him something else for lunch after the party ends at 12.
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2015 15:34     Subject: s/o Party 10-Noon what food to serve?
Bagel spread sounds great to me for kids and adults. My kids love lox!! We have done parties at this time and usually do something similar but add a quiche. We bring it warm and then guests are happy to eat it after it cools off. Whisked makes great ones and you can order ahead.

You could also have some yogurt squeezers on hand if your friends aren't too anti sugar.
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2015 15:30     Subject: s/o Party 10-Noon what food to serve?
Well my main point isn't exactly how much carbs are or aren't in whatever food but that a traditional kid's party is pizza and cake. Every party I attend that doesn't have pizza, leaves kids asking, where's the pizza. They don't seem to be rude about it, they are just looking forward to their traditional food. It is helpful if you specify what food you are serving in the invite so that I can tell my dd what to expect. She is very picky and loves cheese pizza, but won't eat many of the other things mentioned on this thread. But if you can't have pizza, then you can't.
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2015 15:15     Subject: Re:s/o Party 10-Noon what food to serve?
The brunch bagel spread sounds great. Also naysayers, pretty sure that a nice brunch spread is way more time consuming and expensive than serving crappy Dominos pizza.
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2015 14:58     Subject: s/o Party 10-Noon what food to serve?
OP here. We won't be able to heat up quiches or have pizza delivered but we'll add some kind of extra protein. Not trying to be cheap or stingy but have always done bagels at the park for our kid. We used to do it earlier and I just now realized the lunch time issue for our new time. (Btw I'm not sure pizza and cupcakes is all that much better than bagel and cupcakes in terms of carb overload).
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2015 14:55     Subject: s/o Party 10-Noon what food to serve?
Anonymous wrote:I think a brunch-type buffet is fine for that time period. I've been to parties with a similar spread and it was just right.


I agree.
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2015 14:53     Subject: Re:s/o Party 10-Noon what food to serve?
I am having a party for my 3yo in June from 1030-12.
Were having Pizza, some kind of fruit, and an ice cream cake. As an activity the kids are going to decorate cookies so they will have a cookie too.
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2015 14:18     Subject: s/o Party 10-Noon what food to serve?
We just went to a party from about 10-noon that included kids from about 2-6 years old. The host family served bagels, smoked salmon, fruit salad, and mini-quiches. They had cupcakes at the end. I didn't not think they were being cheap or lazy or stingy--I thought it was a nice spread with plenty of options. The food was eaten by kids and parents alike (yes, some kids eat food other than chicken nuggets), and everyone seemed to have a great time.
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2015 14:07     Subject: s/o Party 10-Noon what food to serve?
You'll need lunch food. My kid would not touch bagels with tomatos and cream cheese, he might nibble on a plain bagel but that's not lunch. The breakfast spread is great for adults but get some pizza or even PBJs for the kids before giving them cake!
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2015 14:04     Subject: Re:s/o Party 10-Noon what food to serve?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My 5yr old usually eats lunch around 11:15 or 11:30 so I wouldn't be thrilled to feed her a cupcake and then hold off on lunch until we are home which would probably be closer to 12:30 or 12:45. Combination probably guarantees a hyper but cranky-hungry kid.

13:45 here again.


What is with all these posts. Just serve your guests a proper meal for crying out loud!! It's not that hard!


yes yes I agree. Who needs a bagel and then a cupcake. That is too many carbs. I went to a kid's party where they handed out muffins, and then cupcakes! I mean really? Just order a few pizzas. Like I said in the other thread - a birthday party = pizza and cake. And what kid eats breakfast casseroles? Mine won't touch any sort of casserole.


Yes, to the PPs. SERVE LUNCH. This doesn't need to be difficult OR expensive. Order Pizza. Order chicken nuggest/fingers. Or pinwheel sandwiches. Add a fruit and veggie tray. And drinks. Do not serve bagels and then cupcakes. My kids eat a lot, but they would NOT eat smoked salmon bagels with cucumbers and tomatoes (though I would love it). Serve real food. Please and thank you.
Anonymous
Post 05/29/2015 14:00     Subject: Re:s/o Party 10-Noon what food to serve?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My 5yr old usually eats lunch around 11:15 or 11:30 so I wouldn't be thrilled to feed her a cupcake and then hold off on lunch until we are home which would probably be closer to 12:30 or 12:45. Combination probably guarantees a hyper but cranky-hungry kid.

13:45 here again.


What is with all these posts. Just serve your guests a proper meal for crying out loud!! It's not that hard!


Sure, it's not that hard, but a two-hour party will not always fall during a normal meal time. No reason for a full spread mid-afternoon. If you offer a full dinner after guests just had lunch, food will go to waste. And on the other side, parents don't always like having their kids' appetite for dinner ruined.


So don't have your party at a weird time! The last thing I want to do is rush home from your party with a hyper hangry kid!