18 Easy Party Food Ideas for Kids That Are Quick, Simple & Always a Hit
Birthday planning can be overwhelmingly exhausting with so many things to plan and execute. One of those things is obviously the birthday menu. Especially when you have to consider everyone’s likes and dislikes, options for picky-eaters, allergies and so much more. I have planned and experienced so many birthdays that by now I can safely say I know what’s popular and what is not.
So here’s what you should include for a fool-proof birthday menu that’s totally kid approved so you can skip out on the not so popular menu items. And avoid the disappointment of having massive leftovers, breaking the bank and having to deal with grumpy kids.
First thing’s first- I like to divide my menu planning into five sections. That way I can be sure there’s something for everyone.
- Main course
- Healthy options that kids actually eat
- Fun party snacks
- Desserts
- Drinks
Check out my FREE Birthday Party Meal Planner Guide here.
Now that you have a general guideline to follow. Here’s how I suggest going about it so the menu is perfectly balanced so it’s never too much or too little. I personally stick to two main meal options, any two snacks (I like to pick one from the healthy snack section and one from the fun party snacks), and one dessert. For the drinks, I always have water on hand (if you’re getting bottled water always get the smaller bottles for kids so you don’t have half drunk bottles everywhere) and one flavored drink of choice.
When it comes to kids' birthdays, I want as little mess and waste as possible so here’s how I manage that. I love finger foods because there’s very little need for extra utensils. Another tip that goes a long way is to reduce portion sizes as much as possible. This allows kids to help themselves to seconds and thirds but at the same time minimizes wastage.
I am sharing with you a curated list of kids birthday menu ideas that have worked for me and countless other parents to save you time from scouring the internet in search of the perfect menu.
So without further ado...
Main Course Ideas
Pizza: this one is unquestionably the most popular party food. You can never really go wrong with pizza. It’s easy to handle and distribute and is always a winner with all age groups. Even a simple cheese or margherita goes a long way. In fact, these are the varieties I like to stick with if it’s for the little ones only. If you’re hosting adults as well you can go a touch fancy on the toppings- opt for seafood, pepperoni and anything in between (don’t forget vegetarian options!).
Another great thing about pizza is that you can easily outsource it from your favorite local pizzeria or you can simply do it yourself- it’s your call so do what works best for you. I’ve done both. You can be creative with pizza bases since almost anything works- I’ve used thick crusty sandwich bread, naan, premade pizza bases for convenience and you can too!
Mac & Cheese: This is a super kid-friendly menu option. If you’re looking for an alternative to pizza this is an excellent sub as a carb meal. I like to bake these in a muffin tin for easy grab-and-go portions rather than serving it in a large baking dish. Less hassle and oh so convenient.
Chicken nuggets or tenders: Another kid favorite. The nice thing about this is that it's a very low mess option. Add a dipping sauce or ketchup for a little extra oomph.
Hot Dogs: We all love these don’t we! Like nuggets and tenders these are a tasty option that is low mess, simple and filling. I like to cut them up into small pieces.
Sandwiches or sliders: A little more on the fancier side but still a party favorite. I prefer this option with slightly older kids because it can be a little messy for super small hands. Choose anything from a cool cucumber and cream cheese sandwich to grilled cheese sandwiches or meaty sliders.
Healthy Snack Ideas
Fruit skewers: Make healthy skewers with your choice of fruit. I love the combination of strawberries, grapes, melon and pineapple. They make a colorful and appealing snack that also feels guilt-free.
Veggie cups with ranch: Cut up cucumbers, carrots and celery into sticks. Arrange them in assorted cups and pair them with ranch to make it a fun and tasty treat!
Cheese and crackers: Always a win and makes an easy snack station. I like getting the assorted cheese tray from Costco but you could go with just cheese cubes and pair with your favorite crackers.
Fun Party Snacks
Popcorn: Serve in small cups, themed containers or simply get snack-sized bags.
Chip varieties: Serve 2-3 varieties in serving bowls allowing children to fill up their snack cups with their favorite varieties. Alternatively, get an assorted box and hand out the snack-sized chip bags.
Rice Krispies Treats: A birthday favorite. Cut up into mini bars or squares and serve as a fun party snack.
Desserts
Cake/cupcakes: No birthday is complete without a cake so have fun with this one. There is so much to choose from from fancy custom-designed cakes to the standard birthday cake. Choose whatever works for you and your budget. I do, however, prefer cupcakes for smaller children because they are easier to serve and handle and are relatively low-mess while cakes work well for older kids.
Ice Cream cups or popsicles: I love this option on my dessert menu in the hotter months. Make it extra fun by adding fun toppings on the table like sprinkles and flavored sauces (chocolate, caramel).
Cookies: Easy yet fool-proof. Make your own or simply outsource it. I like to get the large cookie platter from Costco.
Donut Wall: Stack your favorite donuts or easily set up a donut wall for visual appeal which makes the dessert station look extra special.
Drinks
Juice: Juice boxes work best for kiddy parties because the last thing I want to worry about is having to deal with spills everywhere.
Lemonade/fruit punch: If you’re hosting older kids, to make things more exotic use a dispenser or two to serve your favorite drinks. I love lemonade, fruit punches or cordial. I love using the Lemonade Mix from Costco. It makes a great party drink at an affordable price. Plus, kids love being able to refill their cups throughout the party.
Water: Always have water on hand. I personally prefer getting small water bottles but you can simply fill up a dispenser if that works for you.
Did I miss your child’s favorite party snack? Tell me below—I’d love to add it!