Calculating food for children's party?

[Acunningruse]

Haute cuisine this is not...

First time 'catering'( I use the term loosely) a children's party. If hypothetically I was planning on feeding 25 children organic, hand picked chips, how many bags of frozen french fries would I need?

And would you give kids a choice of eg. Pizza or chicken nuggets or just do one, or do enough of both and have leftovers for adults on the day?

[Acunningruse]

Forgot to say thanks in advance for replies

[Mrschainsawuk]

Hahaha ok do both pizza and Nuggets and asda fries I would do 2 and a half to 3 bags I found it easier just doing half a sandwich each a bag a crisps a tube Yoghurt and a cupcake each less work involved

[Ironfloor269]

Add several bottles of gin to the shopping list, for you after the party, considering you are hosting 25 (25!!!) kids.

[Acunningruse]

Thanks both! It's funny you should say that @Mrschainsawuk I was going to do a sandwich crisps cake and fruit in a picnic box as that worked well at a friends party recently but then I panicked that as it's tea time (5pm) people will expect hot food?

Ha don't worry not in my house @Ironfloor269 😮😮😮but yes at the ready

[Mrschainsawuk]

Does not really matter on the hot food for tea time lol

[maternityleave234]

I’d stick to food you can’t mess up and that’s easy to cook;
Pizza chips hotdogs

I’d stir away from nuggets ( I only say this having been to a party in the summer where they weren’t properly cooked - que the mum running round removing all chicken from the plates so avoid mass food poisoning!)

Even at tea time my DS would be happy with cold pizza, sandwiches, cold hotdog sausages, mini sausage rolls etc

[maternityleave234]

Boxes work fine in my experience, get the parents to rsvp with their DC sandwich choice out of say tuna cheese and ham. Then they know it’s cold food too

[troppibambini]

Make it easy for yourself no one will expect hot food. Boxes so much easier.
Do ham, cheese and jam sandwiches chop them into fingers and every child gets a finger of each. If they don't like one they can swap with their friends.
A bag of crisps, squeezy yogurt, carton of juice (or a jug for everyone) and a chocolate treat.
Jobs a good un!

Oh and thread string through the box handles to make them easier to carry in one go.

[WindyScales]

I’d stick with box’s inc sandwich, frube, cake etc.. as that is easier to prep before and it’s all done. I never expect hot food for my child, I always give my kids a hot meal on a party day as party food is usually fast food or sandwiches and often my kids just eat the junk anyway

[BeanBag7]

I wouldnt expect hot food at a party, and I would probably give my DD a bigger lunch as they often dont eat much at parties due to the excitement! Boxes with sandwiches and crisps would be ideal and they can use the box to take home anything they dont finish.

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

It's sod's law with kids' parties though; you will either do masses of food, which they will only pick at, or you will cater for small appetites and they will all turn up famished.

[PazRaz10]

Even at tea time I don't expect hot food at a kids party - they are too excited to eat anyway!
Keep it simple, do sandwiches!
My DD party at the weekend - sandwiches, hoola hoops, pre made cup cakes, strawberries and cocktail sausages. Job done!
I tend to feed my kids a hot meal for lunch if they have an afternoon party and that way I don't fret if all they eat is crisps and cake!!

[PullingMySocksUp]

For ease I’d do:
Pizza
Sausages on sticks
Crisps
Cucumber and or/ carrot sticks
Strawberries and/or grapes
Iced gems or mini party rings

The sausages and pizza are fine warm or room temperature.

[dontpooyoureyesturnbrown]

Three bags of fries sounds about right

[dontpooyoureyesturnbrown]

I wouldn't do fries though, I would do something like
Pizza slices
Jam sandwiches
Ham sandwiches
Pick and mix type sweets
Crisps
Carrot and cucumber sticks
Squash and plain water
Nuggets and falafels

[Normandy144]

Don't bother with sandwiches, who frankly has the time? Ditto carrot sticks etc.
Stick with pizza and ice cream. Make it even easier and get pizza delivered!! That is what i do!

[Acunningruse]

Thanks everyone, sandwich crisps yogurt etc in boxes it is, sooo much easier!