Party food for reception children. ...can i get away with this?

[Feelingtherain]

Variations on this theme have been posted a lot but here we go anyway....

DS2s 5th birthday, thinking about food. I can't see the point in proper food. So thinking of a snack box/bag each with juice carton, crisps, cheese roll, chocolate treat like mini box smarties and mini haribo. Thinking if a child doesn't like cheese they aren't going to starve mid afternoon.

Does it need token fruit? Is it fun enough?

I'd only go with something like that if you find out beforehand what each child eats in a roll. It's not a good idea to assume that they all eat cheese.

It’s fine! They don’t eat much at parties anyway (mine would leave the sandwich for more time playing!) and it’s enough to count as a meal from a parent’s point of view!

Neither of mine would eat a cheese roll (6yo fussy and 4yo eats most things but just doesn't like cheese) but they'd eat the rest and as you say they wouldn't starve.

That's why I did and what has happened at most parties we went to in YR and Y1. Loads easier, if they don't eat the roll they can eat the rest if it. They won't starve.

tbh I would (and did!) serve just crisps and biscuits and some fruit like grapes. juice cartons and jugs of water.

Pasties/sausage rolls instead of a roll? Or pizza?

Sounds fine OP. You could put in a box of raisins for the health police.

Id do the boxes and makes a selection of sandwiches so they can chose on the day.

I do ham, cheese and jam sandwiches on sliced bread then cut crusts off and cut into thirds.
But a ham,cheese and jam finger in each box they will eat at least one of them.

That's pretty much what I do for parties but I give the option of ham, cheese or turkey on the invitation and ask them to let me know when they rsvp

Sounds fine. My 4yo would be happy with this. She loves when party food comes in the little boxes.

I think it needs fruit

I do ham, cheese and jam sandwiches on sliced bread then cut crusts off and cut into thirds.
But a ham,cheese and jam finger in each box they will eat at least one of them

This idea sounds perfect for you, OP!

I've been at parties a few times where they get 3 smaller sandwiches. Jam, cheese and ham usually. Parents often swap with other parents if their kid doesn't eat one or the other. Id swap the haribo for one of those cheap multipack iced fairy cakes. You could do a fruit platter one on each end of the table.

You don't 'need' fruit at a party!

Why not just have large plates of food that way there will be something for them to eat even if it’s twebty of the same item. Neither of mind would eat a cheese roll because they are too fussy. Shouldn’t be a problem but it might be if the party is long/over lunch time. I always do lots of food just in case because children that age are horrid when hungry.

I'm aiming for simple. Pizza and shared platters/bowls feels more complicated.

Also space wise I'm hoping to avoid 30 mums hovering behind their child to help them reach food etc. I assume with a box parents can leave them to it.

I have made sandwiches before and chucked most. Sandwiches cut in thirds minus crusts for 30 kids is quite laborious. Or maybe I'm lazy. I might consider the ham, cheese, jam thing thanks.

(To be honest DS2 won't eat the cheese roll either!)

Id swap the haribo for one of those cheap multipack iced fairy cakes.
Good idea thanks.

Sounds harder than it
Make four at a time stack on top of each other and chop, takes no more than 15 minutes.
Or leave the crusts I only do it because it looks neater. Definitely think boxes are the way to go so so much easier. I have 6 dc and have done a lot of parties!!!

I’d add fruit, raisins, cheese string, tube yogurt or other little bits.

DS1 has previously said if you have hula hoops and party rings you're covered!

I've done the jam, cheese, ham fingers and it worked well and was quick to do. If you have help get a production line going and it won't take more than half an hour.

Yes to swapping the haribo for a box of raisins. You could chuck a satsuma into every box but accept that most will come home again!

When you've done the boxes thread a piece of string or wrapping ribbon through the handles and tie makes them easy to transport. I do them in groups of ten. Same for party bags.

Yes to party rings and hoops
You can get mini party rings in individual bags!

In theory fine but you're never going to find one sandwich all children will eat - one of mine wouldn't eat cheese, and one of mine can't. I'd do have the boxes cheese and half ham and get them to chose, with the dietary requirements named out beforehand