To not do a buffet for kids party

[Imustbemad00]

Usually for parties in a hall or similar I lay out lots of nibbles, sausage rolls, pizza slices, nuggets, sandwiches and sweet stuff. This year I'm having a party at bowling (5 year olds). And afterwards have use of the party room. Rather than rushing about during bowling trying to put the food out, half of which doesn't get eaten, I'm thinking of making up individual food boxes.
The problem is, what to put in them? I would put a sandwich, crisps, a chocolate bar ect but how do you cater for individual preferences, for example ham or cheese sandwiches.
I also think it will feel like a party without bowls full of crisps, biscuits sausage rolls and generally crap food.

We have done this previously and they have gone down a treat - the kids like the picnic boxes. I think we put a couple of sandwiches in - say one ham, one cheese - or dare I say, possibly jam at that age? Plus a biscuit, packet of crisps. I think we put grapes in too but may be choking hazard I suppose

I’ve done boxes before - don’t think it worked out any cheaper!
I did one ham and one cheese sandwich, packet of crisps, box of raisins, yoghurt and cupcake. Oh and box of juice.

Yes I should say the kids loved them!

I did this for a football party where we couldn't labour food in advance and asked for sandwich preferences.

On the invite ask parents to let you know preference when they rsvp

Some parents have asked which of three sandwiches they would like (e.g. cheese, ham or tuna). It also gives you a good excuse to chase anyone who hasn't RSVPed. Works best though if you have a means of contacting them.

I'd do all the same, sod preferences unless allergies etc - and do a jam sandwich and a sausage roll in every box. Then Hula Hoops, Party Rings, Chocolate Fingers, and a juicebox or Capri Sun type drink.

We did this and asked for choice of sandwich (ham, jam, cheese), drink and crisps. We put in a chocolate biscuit as well (assuming all kids would want one) and a box of raisins. It worked really well, no waste and no guessing how many of each to make!

When DD was smaller we did individual boxes most times. On the invitation I had an RSVP slip giving some restricted options.

Think they were something like:
sandwich - ham, cheese, jam
drink - orange, apple, water
and asked re any allergies.

Rest was then just put in. Things like a small bag of vegetable sticks or fruit (rarely eaten!), small chocolate bar or sweets, bun or cupcake, possibly small pack of crisps.

The children often took the box home afterwards and finished off anything they'd not eaten en route, with a slice of birthday cake added to go home with too.

Just do jam sandwiches. Saves so much hassle.

In the box, I mean...

Not everyone likes jam sandwiches 😀

Could they all have happy meals from maccies?

If you give them half a day's notice and pay in advance, they can have them ready. A friend of mine did this and ordered 23 of them. Worked out great!

I mean they can have them ready for a time you specify!

If people don't rsvp you could do a basic box then ask the children what sandwich they want in it as you hand it to them? Might still have the "too much left over" issue unless you can guarantee adults will eat the remaining unchosen ones?

Could you not put a buttered roll in and then a little box with ham cheese salad etc. Make there own

When I've done this they got either cheese or ham and if they didn't like theirs they could swap with a friend. Worked out fine and no stress. Let's face it they just want crisps and a mini roll really, the sandwich is the least eaten part.

individual picnic bags are a great idea. we used takeaway paper bags (ordered online) for the picnic bag and also for the party bags

Thanks everybody. Seems to be a good idea. I like it because it saves on a lot of wasted food, and less mess and clearing up. I just personally love picking at trays of crap party food

I did this. Half ham, half cheese and wrote on the box which it was. No issues.

Juice carton, Pom bears and a treat as well as the sandwich. Soooo much easier.

I have done bags. I got them to reply with choice of sandwich, then did 2 cocktail sausages/sausage rolls, box of raisins, small bag of animal biscuits and 1/2 packet of hula hoops. (Party for 5yr old) Drinks I did jugs of squash but the older party I did I just got those juice cup drinks. It was fairly reasonable. Bags were the brown sandwich bags from home bargains.

Another party we went to she had put a packet of Tesco value crisps in but most children left them. I figured hula hoops are a very safe bet.

I would have thought you'd end up with more waste with picnic boxes. And some children won't like some/lots of things.

Nope hardly any waste at all. And generally what was left was unopened so could be gathered up. When it is a buffet they will always take handfuls of things on their plates even if they only eat 1 or 2.

The amount of food I normally put out at kids parties, there definitely won't be more waste! I think last year there was probably 70-80% waste. Not that I done loads of each thing, just too big a selection.
Thanks for all the ideas. Will definitely use them.

I've been to quite a few parties with picnic boxes. The best option I've seen is fill the boxes apart from the sandwiches. Then make up some ham, some cheese and some jam. It won't take long to go round each child and ask which they would like. At 5 I imagine there are still a number of parents who will stay who may jump in to help.

This way there is still minimal waste and you avoid the danger of the child who eats 17 party rings and nothing else!