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We delayed DD's birthday party with her friends until the end of this month so we could budget it in.

There aren't many people coming, something I expected because of the summer but we will have around 10 total, ages 4-6.

I arranged to have an exotics animal presentation. (pays to be known in this hobby lol).

The party is scheduled from 11:30-2.

Animal presentation is from 12-1.

I have been making a list of ideas for food to serve and am in need of advice. Since its DS's birthday as well we have two cupcake cakes coming. (we are having a family party for him in the evening).

I want to do a carved watermelon with other fruit inside (saw this on fb). Grapes, apple slices, other melons etc.

Can I stick to just snack type things? Party mix, chips, cheese, crackers?

Or should I have hamburgers etc? My mother found mini hamburgers at Cosco. We only have a table top grill but it worked well when we cooked hamburgers before.

I'm also stuck on what to have for drinks. My kids rarely if ever get pop/soda. Fruit juice, milk and water are their staples. Should I even have pop/soda available?

The other night I woke up in a panic, feeling completely unprepared for this. I have since sat down, gone over my to do list and set out a plan. We have slowly been getting the things we need so really there isn't that much to do.

My anal side wanted to have the kitchen painted and the carpet in the living room replaced with flooring with just an area rug but I doubt that will happen lol. If I can just find patio stones and finish my walkway I'll be happy

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated

In this day and age with so many food allergies I try to stick with snack foods.

With the age ranges of the kids I'd go with a fruit salad, pretzels, juice boxes/pouches, etc...

They will be running all over and excited about the animals that they won't want to sit down to a full meal.

Thank you, thank you, thank you

I feel better now lol.

Since the party is during a meal time (noon = lunch), I think you kind of have to serve a meal.

However, since the animal presentation will be going on, it should be finger friendly food.

Make sure you have a protein option, even if it's just sandwiches, and some healthy veggies. Maybe a cheese tray? Kids like cheese...don't they? The mini burgers are a great idea if it's a small enough group that cooking them won't be overwhelming.

That's a good point. The hamburgers aren't difficult to do.

Sandwiches would be good too. I plan on having a cheese/cracker tray. I love that myself and so does DS. Dd loves crackers, won't touch the cheese

I was thinking finger sandwiches. It sounds fancy, but it is really just a regular sandwich sliced diagonally into 4. Or you could get a package of the little brown and serve rolls that are all stuck together. Cut the entire think in half, put the filling inside, and then cut into the individual rolls. You can make some different kinds like ham, turkey, pimento cheese. I would stay away from peanut butter because kids that age may not realize they have a peanut allergy. Keep the sandwiches simple with just meat and a little mayo and mustard. Maybe put cheese on a couple of them.

Other than that, party food is fine especially since you are planning to serve fruit. For drinks I would stick to juice. Some parents may not want their kids this age to drink soda.

I have been there done that.

I found the simplist thing to do was to order a big sandwich from subway, or to get a bunch of hot dogs, and brats, and do them up ahead of time, then put them in a crockpot to stay warm. Quick, easy, cheap.

Capri sun is a mom's best friend for these events. If you have canned soday you will find a bazillion half drank cans after, and it will be a sticky mess. Water, the little ones that are about the size of a fist, and capri-suns are a great choice.

Thank you all for your input!!!

I have a bit of anxiety over this.

This will be my first time hosting an event.

I did my first "family" dinner and it went great. (looking forward to hosting Thanksgiving here...my mom "hinted" that my oven is larger than hers )

Hosting a birthday party is a new experience. I went with dd to one earlier this year. It was fun. It was a "princess" birthday party but dd wasn't into dressing up or having her hair done. she was great at the party and interacted well though.

I guess I'm just scared of things not going well. Must remain calm lol

Costco sells really nice croissant sandwich trays (pre-cut into thirds), but they have lettuce and stuff on them, so picky eaters might be deterred.

Dont sweat it. Keep it simple. chips dips, veggie tray, and hot dogs for kids parties.

Trust me. No one cares.

What about something like this for veggies?

bell peppers, sugar peas, baby carrots + ranch dip. Easy to carry, easy to eat.

Amazonia

Those look delicious!!!

Chicken nuggets with a variety of dipping sauces.

I saw a cute one on a home show, all they did was make jam sandwiches and then use cookie cutters to cut them into shapes,put them on a serving platter, veggies and dip in little plastic cups, this way there is no double dipping, skewers with fruit pieces, skewers with meat,cheese, tomato, and bread so they can make their own little sandwiches,

I wouldn't offer them pop, water, juice, milk all seem like healthier ideas,you could have a few different kinds of juice

Amazing ideas!!! Thank you all so much!

If you want more ideas ( ) you could check out pinterest:

http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=kid%20party%20food

Just a quick glance, and the baked mac and cheese cupcakes, fruit skewers, fries in ketchup cups, mummy hot dogs, and many others look easy and kid friendly to me.

I remember having hot dogs at one of my kiddos earlier parties. My mom put them in the bun and then cut them in half. I looked at her like 'whatta heck?'.

She said it is easier for them to handle plus kids at this age do not eat a lot. If they wanted more, they could have another.

She was right. Half a hotdog/bun was perfect sized and very portable.

Just because it's during a meal time doesn't mean you have to serve a meal. Don't stress over it. The kids are going to be too busy playing to notice. Trust me. I've hosted plenty of "kid" parties and been invited to many others. Most just serve snack type food. Keep it simple. They're not going to go home after and say "man those burgers were fantastic." or "Can you believe she didn't serve a meal?" They're going to be to busy with the animals and their friends.

Don't stress.

[This message edited by simplydevastated at 8:58 PM, July 19th (Friday)]

Maybe I'm way overprotective or just a worry wart...

But hot dogs scare me as a choking hazard. I doubt they will sit down for lunch and I can just see some kid running with a hot dog bite in their mouth, falling down and choking.

I think snack foods and sandwiches would be fine.

They're young. No need for anything elaborate. I love the cups with veggie sticks and ranch dressing! Very smart. Cheese sticks are a great idea as well. Mini bananas if you want something a little wacky -- there are red skinned ones! Go with easy to prep, easy to eat, easy to clean up.