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?

sausage rolls are snacks,
fruit are snacks
crisps are snacks.
sounds appropriate

It is a party though. It isn’t so much the time, it’s more the kind of ‘done thing’ which I know is a bit of a twatty term, but I’ve never been to a children’s party where some sort of food hasn’t been provided.

It is really difficult with parties. I know there was a thread a few weeks ago where many posters were horrified at the prices of a typical soft play party but when you try to do it yourself it’s not much cheaper! I had this with DDs first birthday, as a lady who runs preschool classes did it for us in a village hall. By the time I’d paid her, done food, set out a few play things and sorted the party bags I think it cost in the region of £600. This year we’re going to a role play cafe who do everything and it’s costing £700, which sounds like loads but when you break it down that is just what it ends up costing.

(I am not telling DH!)

I would be happy with my child having the entertainment with a short break for the snacks. After all it’s the entertainment the kids talk about not the sandwiches when they get home. If it finishes at 12 then they can have lunch then

let them all have a banana/carrot/apple

They won't allow food because they want you to buy theirs. If OP tries to lay out a meal worth of snacks each they are likely to tell her to put them away which will create a very awkward situation. It's buy their food or provide snacks only, which is probably one or max 2 items per child.

Trying to be clever will end up costing more in the long run when you have to buy their food at the last minute because you thought you would be clever and give them a whole bag of snacks each, which is basically a meal.

I don’t think it’s OP trying to be clever, to be fair, but I do think what the place have said and what posters here are suggesting are different things. They are picturing the kids having a packet of crisps and maybe a few sweets as a prize for party games, not a sort of meal without sandwiches!

But I do think they’ve been unfair in not making this clear from the start. I’d expect to self cater for hall hire.

I think you'd be expected to put up the cost of food at your own child's party so I'd perhaps consider looking elsewhere for a cheaper alternative if you have time to do so.

I agree with you. I meant that to the people suggesting multiple snacks and even sandwiches. OP will end up paying twice if she tries that because a picnic isn't a snack, it's a meal.

It's unclear whether they set this out from the start and OP just missed it but unfortunately she's agreed to it now and wants to go ahead with the party so I think it's a case of having to suck it up this time.

Given the timings I think snacks is absolutely fine. However if you really feel you need to we did this for one of my DCs and I just ordered a load of cardboard lunch boxes from Amazon. Did a mini pack up and gave them to everyone at the end in lieu of party bags.

In your case though I prob wouldn’t bother

I think with the type of activity the children will need something beyond snacks. One of my DC would be throwing up if there were just snacks like chips & biscuits served with sugar free drinks. I think handing over tired, grouchy and starving kids is mean. How much is that sandwich box that breaks the bank?

I think you need to provide a proper meal otherwise it's not really a party, it's just an activity. Would you like to go to a sports hall, do an activity (dance class) then have some crisps and some party games and go home? It would feel too much like just going to an ordinary Saturday morning activity.

they can go home with a party bag with cake in it and sweets
and perhaps a picnic

I think it’s fine and wouldn’t worry any more about it. The food waste at kids parties is horrendous, half the stuff gets left when you provide those lunch box things or hot meals anyway. My kids would be happy with some snacks between activities.

If the party finishes at 12 can you not just make little sandwich box meals and store them in your car? After the slot in the hall has finished everyone can sit on grass outside (hopefully there is some!) and eat!

This is exactly what I'm talking about. OP is not allowed to serve a meal. She cannot give them a lunchbox. That is not a snack.

Can you still do sandwiches in a bag/box and hand these out at the end with the cake?

Due to the time of the party and age this is totally fine. State on the invite that snacks are included as you suggested. Enjoy 😊

I said at the end. I know a lunch box isn’t a snack but in the car park after the event you can hand out what you like

I think that’s worse to be honest.

I think that's pathetic to be honest. Who sends kids home with a packed lunch instead of feeding them at the party? And who wants to sit in a car park with a load of kids eating lunch boxes? It's madness.

Either feed them or don't but 2 hours is a long enough party already without trying to drag it out all day because you wanted to save a few quid.

I would go for the proper food. If nothing else but if they've been there before they'll remember and wonder when the nuggets or sandwiches were arriving!

Blimey it's no wonder we have a child obesity problem in this country when people expect a child to eat a lunch in the middle of the morning. Snacks are fine, it's 2 hours not all day.

I'm not sure the parents would be too keen to have them want to eat their lunch in the car afterwards.

Completely disagree, food gets in the way, 2hrs isn't an overly long party, kids will happily play for that long. We never do food at any of our parties, snacks, and just leave the kids to play for the whole time.

sounds like there is no time for actual food
and it finishes at 12.
food is unnecessary.