Low effort birthday picnic food

[NowWeHaveChichichat]

Expecting around 20 parents and 5-year-olds for a party in the park. In years past I’ve handmade dips and sandwiches and taken watermelons for slicing up. But this year it feels like too much effort so thought about ordering a tray of sandwiches from Sainsbury’s to be picked up on the way. As well as that and cake, what should I get?

Party is at 11am so hopefully people won’t expect a full lunch. No car so will be carrying everything. Individual juice cartons will be heavy but think we should provide them. Thanks for any easy ideas.

Sounds fine. I'd maybe get some sausage rolls or cocktail sausages and roast chicken drumsticks, some carrot sticks and strawberries, mini bananas and some crisps. Maybe olives and nice breadsticks for adults.

How long is for? I think they will absolutely expect lunch.

Sandwiches / wraps / crisps / fruit is enough

I'd also provide water. Can you borrow / do you have a wagon or buggy you can use to transport stuff in?

I haven’t specified an end time, oops. Ok more lunch-like then. We usually do suitcases, will think if we know anyone who might have a wagon (would then need to invite them though…).

I like all the ideas, especially mini bananas which will be cheap-ish, plus sausage rolls/breadsticks/olives for adults.

Every time we do this I curse how complicated it gets, but them’s the breaks when you don’t have your own garden. Thanks all.

I'd be tempted to send out a message to your guests, or at least those who live nearest to you, to ask if anyone would be driving to the party and if so would they mind helping to transport some food/drinks. I think getting the stuff there is likely to be your biggest problem.

I'd add some strawberries and blueberries, crisps, cocktail sausages and cubes of cheese, carrot and cucumber sticks, some fingers of pizza. You definitely need a good supply of drinks (I'd provide more than one juice carton each) but the weight will be your biggest problem. Are there any shops near the park that you could send a runner to for boxes of ice lollies for dessert?

Boxes of strawberries
Slices of melon could be sliced up on the morning and popped in a cool bag before you leave.
Cookies - individual bags like mini cookies or party rings
Do you have a friend/family member that would be able to drop a cool box full of ice lollies after an hour or something. My Mum did that for me once. Rocket lollies are always super cheap.
I'd take a couple of drinks dispensers of squash and a load of cups so they can easily top up.

Thanks everyone. Ice lollies are a lovely idea, have looked up shops near the park.

We don’t know anyone well enough to ask about driving stuff for us unfortunately.

Berries would be lovely but ££, needs to be cheap and cheerful this time. Cheers all for the inspiration.