Party food!

[scorpiogirly]

I'm doing the party good for my daughter's 4th birthday party on Saturday. Never done this before and I'm not exactly a whiz in the kitchen. There will be about 25 kids I think.

So far I have
Cocktail sausages
Sausage rolls ( frozen ones)
Chicken poppers ( frozen)
Ham sandwiches
Cheese sandwiches
Cucumber sticks
Carrot sticks
Party rings
Mini pizzas
Cheese and pineapple
Vol au vents (frozen which I'm going to bake and fill with tuna sweetcorn mayo the morning of)

Is this enough? Am I missing anything I shouldn't be?

Also how far in advance can I make this? The night before maybe? Apart from the over stuff which I'll do the morning of the party.

Don't cut them, as it exposes loads of sharp bits of wood/splinters that will get in the food.

Good point. I will ditch the cheese and pineapple

Are you feeding the parents as well? I find this way too much of food. We have been for tons of parties and it's very rare to feed the parents besides drinks/coffees. I think you have created way too much work for yourself. I would just do sandwiches /pizza and not even bother with fruit. Nobody eats the fruit. The kids will eat the cake and probably pizza.

At 4 my kids and their friends ate only crisps and the icing from cakes.

I'd ditch the vol-au-vents. They're a faff to fill in big numbers and are very messy! Plus you already have pastry in the sausage rolls.
Agree re no cocktail sticks but you could just serve cubes of cheese?
Children don't eat a lot but you do need variety. My DCs ate everything but a lot don't !
Parents can pick at the leftovers.

Just want to say I bloody love party rings. The king of biscuits.

Sounds fab!!

Can I come? I promise not to stab myself with the cocktail sticks! 😀

Way too much imo! Sandwiches, couple of pizzas cut into small squares, chocolate fingers, crudités, fruit, done. Sounds like she’ll have a fab party if you’ve put this much effort in!!

Honestly no chocolate at the moment it will melt in their fingers!

What time is the party? If its over lunchtime or dinner time, they will eat more than if mid afternoon or morning.

Egg and cress butties.
Party rings

Popcorn has been an unexpected hit at our parties recently. I put out a big bowl, and it was the only thing that had to top up! Kids used cups as scoops/containers. Another mum packaged them up in popcorn cones which was also very popular.

I haven't read the thread so this might have been suggested but go and look at a video on YouTube of how Mary Berry does sandwiches the day before. The taste like they've just been made.

I would probably ditch the vol au vents. They sounds a faff to make, messy to eat and I don't think many kids would choose them. Tuna mayo sandwiches might be easier.

Keep it simple

Cheese sandwich / ham sandwich / biscuit / fruit / crisps is plenty

Definitely no cocktail sticks

Individual picnic bags / boxes are convenient and more hygienic than a buffet for kids with grubby hands

You can make sandwiches the day before. Put a damp tea towel over them in the fridge, so the bread doesn't dry / curl

I'd do cheese spread rather than cheese as it's quicker and doesn't need the bread buttering as well. grated cheese would be messy if you're cutting them into quarters.
Ditch the vol au vents and cheese & pineapple and I would add in some sliced melon or grapes

Ive cream and jelly and top hats!

I would do paper bags -sandwich (half cheese half jam), small bag crisps (Aldi fake Pom bears), mini bag of biscuits - chocolate fingers or similar. Small fruit shoot style drinks. For most that will be enough but platters of guilt/fruit/veg and margarita pizza slices would probably be a useful addition, also maybe mini cupcakes.
In our area it’s much easier to keep it all vegetarian.

a few sweets is what they will really want

Have you double checked dietary requirements, as this can be tricky sometimes to cater for gluten/dairy free? I'm sure you have thought of it, just thought I'd mention in case not

A birthday cake