How much party food?

[Googeboo]

DH and I love to host but have zero experience at children's birthday parties ...

We are holding a 2nd birthday party for our DS. It is a village hall type set-up and will be mid to late afternoon (so we will provide food but I don't think any adults will be planning a main meal there?)

It is difficult to gauge the exact guest list (not sure who is bringing 1 vs. 2 parents, who is bringing siblings etc.) but I think we'll be catering for around 40 adults and 15 toddlers.

Food-wise we were thinking:

• Main birthday cake, selection of biscuits and smaller cakes (DH loves to bake and his sister is helping so I think they should be able to do this fairly easily)
• Baguettes, butter, some cheese and meat
• Hummus, carrots, cucumber, peppers
• Berries, clementines, cut up grapes
• Crisps

We weren't planning to do sandwiches as not sure toddlers will really want them? Not sure adults will either (we certainly would prefer baguette and butter!) but maybe I'm wrong?

Has anyone got any feedback / tips or can anyone advise roughly how much of each we should go for? I'm working on the assumption that people won't actually want that much food and I don't want lots to be wasted but also don't want to underfeed people!

Thanks in advance

There was a very similar thread only the other day and lots of people had suggestions. Maybe someone will be able to find it for you.

Far many reasons, it’s such a good idea to do food boxes for the children or pre-plate their food. It helps the adults see how much their child has eaten, it helps manage food allergies and dietary requirements, it helps you more accurately determine how much you need and not over-cater, it makes sure everyone gets a fair share etc…..

In a toddler’s food box/plate I’d do:
A small cheese sandwich
A small cupcake or biscuit
Berries and grapes
Veg sticks
A handful of Pom bears
A carton or small bottle of juice/squash

For 40 adults, I’d do 8 long baguettes, enough cheese in total for approx 90g per person, and 2 slices of meat each. I’d also do an assortment of Nairn’s cheese biscuits for those who don’t or can’t eat bread. All of Nairn’s range is gluten free. Allow enough cupcakes/brownies for one each, and I’d also do an assortment of fruit.

why not to try animal shape waffles and toppings like a waffle bar

You need a variety of food for the toddlers. Little sandwiches are fine, cut up pizza slices, fruit, veg sticks, Pom bears, little biscuits. Put the kids food out where they are sitting down for the party tea. How long will they have to eat in between the entertainment?

I’d focus on food for the children. Does this group of toddlers love humus and veg? If so, fab. My kids would have loved it, but veg isn’t a popular option at most toddler parties.

Things like mini sausage rolls, cheese cubes, cocktail sausages, crisps, crackers, breadsticks and fruit. Pitchers of water/squash.

I have never in all my years of catering children’s parties gotten the adults to eat in significant quantities, despite lovely spreads of adult food. As it isn’t a meal time, I can’t imagine most adults would want a baguette with meat and cheese, unless this is going to be a boozy one that goes into the evening.

If it’s just a normal party from 2-4pm, I’d only do coffee/tea and biscuits/cake for adults. No one will come expecting to be fed a sandwich and they won’t eat them. I truly don’t expect to be fed and I’d say it’s only 50/50 I’d even get offered cake (normally cake goes in party bags to go home). A coffee or tea would be much appreciated though.

Thank you all, really helpful!

@mindutopia this is a helpful perspective. I was wondering how much adults would eat. I never eat much at toddler parties as I’m either supervising my own or worried sticky fingers have been all over the food! Although quite a few guests are attending without children so maybe they will want to eat…

@Forgottenmyphone thank you so much! Very helpful, I hadn’t thought of separate boxes.

I think most people will want/expect their child to eat if it's late afternoon, but most won't want to eat themselves.

I would have a spread for the kids including pizza, sausage roll or mini sausages, cucumber sticks, fruit, mini cupcakes, some puffy crisps (pom bears or skips or similar).

For the adults, in a separate zone if possible, some drinks and nibbles (breadsticks, crisps, cake/biscuits).

If you have a way of keeping food warm until serving I’ve never had leftover spiced/herbed roast potatoes/wedges when served at this sort of party. I put a few bowls out with an assortment of dips and the adults happily tuck in.

For the kids I’d do veg plates, hot dogs or pizza, and ice lollies if you can manage it