Just snacks at kids party

[JuniorMint14]

First time organising a kids birthday party and in a quandary re food. The venue we have booked have expensive options for hot and cold lunch boxes and don't allow outside catering except for snack items like crisps. (I didn't realise this at the time of booking - you live and learn!)

The party is 10-12, I'm wondering if I can get away with just a selection of packet snacks like crisps, biscuits, packs of raisins and some juice? I'd make sure there was plenty so each child could have 2-3 things. I would personally not mind that as it finishes before proper lunch time but don't want to look tight if something more substantial is expected! Thoughts?

It’s strange they allow snacks but not food

most places say only food bought at venue but you live and learn as prob your first party

lots of snacks then of crisps biscuits (little bags of party rings /choc cookies etc ) chopped cucumber carrot pepper. All snacks

@harrietm87 7/8/9yr eat non stop. Always snacking - always hungry

you def cocked up there 😂

Snacks will be fine for that age. Just include that info on invites (check dietary restrictions). Crisps, wee packets of biscuits and raisins, fruit shoots or water. Plus birthday cake. Have a fun time.

You said @JuniorMint14 you had a baby so you must have a pram/pushchair??
id be smuggling a big box of sausage rolls/ mini croissants/brioche stuff/ cooked pizza slices in a bag and they getting all the wrappers and destroying the evidence 😂

At least you’d have some more substantial snacks if you needed them.

I must say tho when I’ve done parties it’s either been a venue who do food no food allowed or a hall where I take food and just do my own.

I did similar last year for my 4 yo’s party which was 1-3, I figured everyone would have eaten lunch by 1 and wouldn’t want another meal. Plus it was soft play which is way more fun than eating. I just gave everyone the heads up when inviting that was the plan. Did hummus, breadsticks, cucumber, fruit some little buns and biscuits.

Definitely fine, I hated my kids having to eat those awful lunches provided by party venues anyway! And they waste too much of their playtime eating. It'll be grand with just snacks.

It’s fine. You’ll be serving food at 10:45-11:15 ish. No one wants chicken goujons at 10:45am on a Sunday. Crisps, party rings, wotsits, fruit, yoghurt pouches, drinks bottles or pitchers of squash, then cake. That’s plenty for mid morning.

I once went to a play centre party, exclusive hire so it was only us, ages 6-12 (it was for 2 siblings) from 6-8pm on a Friday evening. I went expecting food. No food! The whole bloody time and cafe was closed as after hours. We got a little box as we left with a packet of crisps and a sweet cone. It was a half hour drive home and we got home at 9pm. My ds was about ready to eat his own arm.

But 10-12 ish a totally acceptable time for just some snacks, just make sure there is plenty. Especially because not all children engage with these sorts of entertainer parties. The ones I’ve seen with 3/4 year olds have about 50% of kids clinging to parents and not wanting to join in, so you will need something to keep those ones happy while dancing and games are happening.

I wouldn't expect more than snacks at a party that isn't close to a meal time. So your snacks would be fine by me at that time, then I'd be go home for lunch at 1230.

Could you offer brunch type snacks? Things like chocolate brioches and fruit and yogurts? Would still be ‘snacks’

the venue is a hall in a sports centre

OP did say it’s in a hall. OP also said she can’t take food into the hall because they have a cafe onsite

Snacks absolutely fine for those timings. No need to provide a full lunch in the morning.

Snacks are fine, especially if they’re stopping for a break round about 11. Offer Crisps, biscuits, fruit and maybe packets of raisins, fruit winders or cheese strings.

We have to be cleared out of the venue by 12 so in reality they will be going home about 11.45, so I'll maybe also put 10-11.45am on the invite to make that clear.

I’d definitely put 11:45 on the invites because if you put 12 that’s when people will start gathering kids and belongings.

I actually think 1h 30mins is long enough for a 4 year olds party so if you decide to go with snack I’d consider that. 11:30 would be further away from lunchtime too so would seem more sensible with just snacks

You’ll need to go with the cafe food now I think, or risk disappointment. Put it down to experience

Can’t your DP be on baby duty whilst you prioritise your birthday child?

She’s probably breastfeeding.

You have to provide food. Surely this is a joke.

I always find MN tend to on the stingy side with parties but when I read the OP I can see the dilemma. I do think I’d provide food though. It’s really difficult to do a kids’ party on the cheap.

If it is dance and party games, you don't want them having proper food halfway through anyway. The break will be at about 11, so give them elevenses.
They need a snack - choice of crisps, digestive biscuit, apple or satsuma and a drink of water and/or juice, that will be enough. Dance teachers are very funny about raisins and they are often banned in the studio, so I would forget those. You can put a packet each in their party bags, along with a slice of cake.

<raisins get dropped, trodden on, and make a sticky mess on dance floors & the soles of dance shoes>

I have been to loads of pre school parties and I honestly think this is fine. So long as you are clear on the invite and also remind people nearer the time. I find a reminder text is helpful anyway so you can say ‘We’re looking forward to seeing you and your DC at the weekend for dancing
and party games. We will break for snack half of way through and wilL finish by 11:45 so everyone can get home for lunch’.

She did say it actually later on - in a hall with a hired entertainer. Two hours is a long time IMO.

@MyCottageGarden unfortunately he can't breastfeed.

Wasn't expecting so many replies! Thank you for all the helpful suggestions. Lots to think about!

@Blondeshavemorefun yeah I ended up having to buy a round of pizzas at great expense from a stall. To be fair, with that age group, they don’t have lunch at school until 12.30 (whereas the reception lunch slot is 11.45) so I thought I was on pretty safe ground with a 9.30-11.30 party and large supply of crisps, fruit, breadsticks and sweets plus the cake - but you live and learn!

To all the people saying they’d expect more food due to the duration of the party: do you eat a full meal between 10-12 every day? After your breakfast but before your lunch?

Ridiculous comments on here, of course snacks is fine!

And those saying you need to kill time have clearly forgotten or have no experience of how long it takes 4 year olds to do anything!

That sounds fine , you could say due to exercising they are just having snacks.