What to serve adults at 3 year olds' birthday party

[Richtea67]

Hi, we're having a small party for my 3 year old....approx 7 children and 10 adults. Aside from the usual kids party fare what can I provide for the adults? Some people are staying over with us, so want something fairly hearty/substantial as don't really want to do another meal later on...though people could pick on leftovers later in the day. I was thinking of jacket potatoes with various fillings...chilli, coronation chicken, tuna sweet corn. Plus some nice salads, cheeseboard, bread/dips. Does that sound OK, or any other ideas much appreciated!

Do you have enough chairs for the adults to all sit and eat? Jacket potatoes are hard to eat standing up and even if you do have enough seats, people will be constantly interrupted by children and keeping an eye on them rather than just sitting and eating. I'd probably prefer something that can be eaten without needing cutlery and whilst standing up or chasing after a toddler. Maybe pizza?

Agree with pp, I’d do pizza with salads and coleslaw and then have cold meats, bread cheese etc to put out later for your guests who are staying

I did 'adult food' - baguettes, brie, cured meats, fruit, hummus, falafel, olives etc

Maybe something like that with the addition of quiche or a baked ham or something to make it more substantial? Basically, a buffet!

Coffee/tea and nice biscuits. In all my years of doing nice adult spreads at parties, I find it’s barely touched. No one comes expecting to eat. At most, they’ll nibble on their dc’s food. If you really want more than that, extra crisps and nibbles. Most won’t come expecting food so will have eaten already. And gosh, I bet it’s even worse in the Mounjaro era. 😂

Thanks for the suggestions all....I take on board the practicalities of eating a jacket potato! I think I will do a more substantial buffet. I saw a recepie for loaded jackets, so may do those plus some spicy chicken wings. I will definitely need to feed the adults....it's less of a 'kids party'and more of a family/friends gathering.

I’d do afternoon tea. Scones with jam and cream, a selection of sandwiches and pastries.

Ah funny enough we have this in a couple of weeks kids and adults and usually we do finger foods,quiches,cheeses,meats,pizza,chicken bites,mini scotch eggs,crisps,nuts,cherry tomatoes stuff like that and a small selection of little cakes it always goes down well for them all..jacket potato would be nice but to messy

if you have a slow cooker do pulled pork add a large pork shoulder to slow cooker 250ml water,chicken oxo and a onion high 6hrs or low 8hrs

empty juices through a sieve if you have a fat separator you can add the juices to make the meat moist. Remove the skin and shred the meat leave in slow cooker bowl with a serving spoon.

add to table bread rolls, stuffing, jug chicken gravy,bbq sauces,apple sauce,mayo ,salad ,coleslaw ,crisps ,carrot sticks ,humus .Let people serve them selves