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Original poster

Can I do a 5th birthday party with just snacks?

17 replies

someladdersandsnakes · 05/09/2023 15:59

We're having DD's 5th birthday at a sports hall with a bouncy castle and you have half an hour in the food room after. We have no car and have to cater it ourselves. Last year we loaded up sandwiches etc in big tupperwares and carried it over in a suitcase! That was the nursery crowd though and there will be more children and older this year. If we took the 3-4.30 slot could we get away with snacky bits only and no real lunch, considering it's not a mealtime? I just don't know if that takes the piss since I've never been to a kids party where there wasn't sandwiches, even one we went to that was a similar timeslot. Also we have a whole half hour in the food room but if I'm only doing snacks do you think we'd have time to fit in a pass the parcel or something in that time?

To pre-empt questions - we don't have the option to have the party at home, and because of the lack of car and the fact that it'll be winter there aren't a lot of other options for venue. And we don't have anyone who can help with driving.

OP posts:
Turtlegurl888 · 05/09/2023 16:02

I wouldn't be bothered as a parent if there were only snacks. Are you doing cake? I wouldn't expect to not have to feed my kid when we got home from a party at that time.

Or you could get a taxi over with the food?

redskytonights · 05/09/2023 16:03

I would describe "normal" party food as snacks so not sure exactly what you mean. If you're thinking you'll just provide some crisps and biscuits, then I'd suggest most people would expect more.

If you don't want to take sandwiches why not chicken nuggets, mini sausages, chunks of cheese ...

I wouldn't try to fit anything else into your food slot.

BarnacleBeasley · 05/09/2023 16:03

I went to a sports/activity party at 5pm recently and the party finishing up just before us only did cake.

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PerspiringElizabeth · 05/09/2023 16:03

Posted the exact thread for my son’s 5th in November and the answer was a resounding NO.

Apparently people will plan their kids’ meals around one child having party food at 3pm 🤷🏻‍♀️

YouHoooo · 05/09/2023 16:05

I think it’s fine - no one will be eating a meal then. We went to a 4th birthday last week which did exactly this, and I didn’t hear any complaints.

everycowandagain · 05/09/2023 16:09

We have been to a couple of mid morning or mid afternoon parties recently where the invitation made clear that it would be snacks and drinks, it's completely fine. Especially when it's a party that doesn't go over a typical kids meal time. If it's 12-2 you need to do lunch but 2-4 snacks are fine.

Legomania · 05/09/2023 16:10

Kids' parties have a fairly set format so yes I think people will expect food. It also breaks the time up.

Certainly for my kids the sit down part is a big deal.

MrJollyLivesNextDoor · 05/09/2023 16:10

someladdersandsnakes · 05/09/2023 15:59

We're having DD's 5th birthday at a sports hall with a bouncy castle and you have half an hour in the food room after. We have no car and have to cater it ourselves. Last year we loaded up sandwiches etc in big tupperwares and carried it over in a suitcase! That was the nursery crowd though and there will be more children and older this year. If we took the 3-4.30 slot could we get away with snacky bits only and no real lunch, considering it's not a mealtime? I just don't know if that takes the piss since I've never been to a kids party where there wasn't sandwiches, even one we went to that was a similar timeslot. Also we have a whole half hour in the food room but if I'm only doing snacks do you think we'd have time to fit in a pass the parcel or something in that time?

To pre-empt questions - we don't have the option to have the party at home, and because of the lack of car and the fact that it'll be winter there aren't a lot of other options for venue. And we don't have anyone who can help with driving.

Kids generally only want to eat cakes and biscuits anyway!

Definitely fine to do snacks only, keep it as simple as possible (sandwiches if you can/sausage rolls/crisps/cheddars/chocolate fingers)

SuperbOwls · 05/09/2023 16:14

It's fine! The last couple of parties I did (bouncy castles) I went for the 3pm slot and did just this.
Lots of cut up fruit (watermelon was popular), carrot/cucumber, breadsticks and hummus, party rings and popcorn. It went down very well!

Welcometotheocbitch · 05/09/2023 16:27

We went to one recently with just a few snacks and my child was less than impressed as they were looking forward to the party food! We also didn’t get cake to take home which again she was less than impressed with!

Floralnomad · 05/09/2023 16:29

It’s fine as long as you say on the invite that you will be providing drinks and nibbles not a party tea . That way people know what to expect .

ScrummyDiva2 · 05/09/2023 17:01

Just bring a few cold pizzas, crisps, party rings - and some fruit to give a nod to 'healthy' bits! Sandwiches never get eaten.

reluctantbrit · 05/09/2023 17:24

We did this but it was a 7th birthday party. And after that all the time as it worked really well.

I find it hillarious that people assume that a small child eats enough at a party at 4pm to not need dinner.

Saying that, we always eat togther as a family at 7pm and DD may snacked on the food offered.

Orange67 · 05/09/2023 18:14

PerspiringElizabeth · 05/09/2023 16:03

Posted the exact thread for my son’s 5th in November and the answer was a resounding NO.

Apparently people will plan their kids’ meals around one child having party food at 3pm 🤷🏻‍♀️

I also would, my daughter has her dinner at 3pm every day at nursery

PuttingDownRoots · 05/09/2023 18:17

We worded the invitation to make it clear there was no actual meal... we said it was Activity followed by Cake and Ice cream.

BoopK · 05/09/2023 18:29

I think parents and children would expect food so make it clear on the invite if you're not providing this.

How many children? Could you get pizzas delivered from a local takeaway if funds allow or a local bakery that offers afternoon tea / buffet style things they could drop off at the venue

TropicalTrama · 05/09/2023 18:32

I find it hillarious that people assume that a small child eats enough at a party at 4pm to not need dinner.
Yeah this. Who in their right mind assumes a lick of a jam sandwich and a fist full of hoola hoops means no dinner needed?
It’s fine OP. I’d just make sure you have enough of the snack food to make them sit at the table and not go mad running round and round and round it!

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