Party food at 2pm

[Findahouse21]

Hi all,

It's my daughter's 7th birthday soon and we are going somewhere where the entertainment etc is provided and there is 30 min gap for food at about 2pm. Party is from 1-3. I'm assuming children will have lunch beforehand so just wondering what to serve?

It has to be in individual boxes due to restrictions at the venue so wondering whether just to do a few snacks in each one, or if people will still expect a 'meal' as such and to include a sandwich, Crisps, fruit etc?

Please could you let me know what you would prefer/expect

Thanks

If the party started at 1 and they were 7 years old I'd expect lunch.

I'd rather be safe than sorry and pop a sandwich in.

Alternatively make it clear that light snacks / cakes will be served at 2 so best to feed children lunch prior. I'd be happy with knowing a full lunch wasn't being served, but I'd assume you were.

I'd put something like 'snack box' provided on the invitation, so parents can give their kids lunch if they want to.

Most kids are too excited to eat much at birthday dos anyway.

I doubt they would have waten b4 a 1pm party. Especially if they have to have time to get ready and get to the party.. I'd do food without a doubt.

It's an awkward time for food (but a really common time for children's parties). Where DC have been at parties at that time the buffet was a lunch type, including sausage rolls, sandwiches etc though I'd normally have fed a light lunch beforehand.

Agree with PP - it's fine for it to be a snack, but best to make that clear.

Sandwich, crisps, biscuit, yogurt/fruit

I don’t think lunch would be expected at 2pm. I’d state on the invitation “light snack box provided at 2pm”, then they can arrange lunch for themselves.

When we had a party at that time I put on the invite it would only be a snack so no one turned up expecting lunch (too weird a time for a meal imo) and have drinks, biscuits, crisps & cake. You buy all that in individually wrapped packs

Nope, wouldn't expect lunch to be provided if party was 1 to 3pm.

Yes if 11 to 1, or 12 to 2.

I'd give them a late breakfast and expect lunch. DS 9's lunchtime at that time was around 12, but it really depends when the children normally eat lunch at home.

It’s a party so I’d sack the sandwich off and go party food. That’s the reason we all eat healthily 99% of the time, so that when we go to parties etc we can eat ‘naughty stuff’ without any guilt whatsoever. That’s the theory I’ve used with my kids anyway and they became normal adults. Also they never went to parties and stood at the food table eating constantly because it was ‘treat food’, too busy playing. If you get any of ‘those’ parents tut tut your party food box while suggesting cucumber sticks would have been better, just look at them in a very confused manner and say ‘no, it’s not a garden tea, it’s a party’ followed by tinkly laugh. Then make sure their child gets a few extra red lollies to round it out.

Been to loads of soft play 7 year old kids parties over the years, and it's definitely the norm to have party food at a a 1pm start party.
As a pp said, I'd give a later breakfast as I'd assume there'd be party food there for lunch

A lunch box with sandwich (check for allergies first and dietary needs), crisps, fruit and a cupcake would be fine.

For a party at that time I'd assume lunch would be provided

But if you don't provide lunch only a snack make sure you tell the parents because as shown on this thread expectations can be polar opposites