Food options for a 3 year old's party being held from 10am-noon?

[didwedotherightthing]

This is my son's party. He generally a good eater but at parties never eats much (always wants to play instead!) and I've noticed most other kids are the same. They're happily playing then get dragged to sit for food they don't really want (besides the cake) about halfway through the party. There's always so much waste, especially when parties are held at odd times. One party we went to at a wacky warehouse type place was 10-noon and the kids were served fishfingers and chips at 11am? Not many ate it. Anther the parents self-catered and there were so many uneaten carrot and cucumber batons, sausage rolls, cheese & pineapple sticks etc.

So, for DS's party in a local hall we're providing food ourselves. We have 25 coming (though I'm sure there'll be a few on-the-day cancellations!) With the timing being a morning party I thought to just do the following food:

• grapes, strawberries and blueberries
• brioche finger roll OR jam sandwich
• crisps (popular whatever time of day!)
• yoghurt tubes
• juice or milkshake carton

What do you think please? Keen to not spend a fortune on food but would like it to be nice and hopefully eaten!

Is it best to lay the food out and let them help themselves or are those little meal boxes better? Some foods work better each way though.

Thanks

I would lose the yogurt tubes as think they will still be messy, and would do packed lunches in those little boxes with probably:
Ham or cheese roll (one of those tiny ones)
Bag of pombears or similar
Babybel/cheese string
Small box of raisins
Individual bag of mini biscuits/party rings.
Ds wouldn't eat a jam sandwich and most toddlers at nursery eat lunch by 11.30 so would be happy with a small packed lunch at that time.

Also get to Costco for cartons of juice/crisps etc and pick up a couple of trays of pastries for the grown ups and serve with coffee and tea? That's what I did for ds's party was great!

I second the little lunchbox per child idea. Ham or cheese roll, crisps, pot of grapes and a choc or biscuit with a carton. Can be eaten or taken away. You've 'done your bit' catering wise and won't be left any wastage.

The only risk with lunchboxes is I suspect there will be lots of leftovers as you might get a few children who each dislike something different in it. Is the party over a mealtime or is this more like a snack? I would offer a few different types of foods - breadsticks, Baby Bel, fresh fruit, raisins, biscuits (just plain Rich Tea if you're trying to keep it fairly healthy although I'm happy serving surgary stuff if it's a party personally) - that way even the fussy eaters should find something.

For those times I'd just do jugs of orange and black currant squash
Tea & coffee for adults
Hula hoop crisps in big bowls & Party ring biscuits and serve the cake before everyone leaves

(Spotted the timings in your OP!) Yes, no need to overdo it, just a few 'treats' left out to one side so they can help themselves. If it was a more formal "and now it's time for food" you'd probably want to do an actual meal.

If you are serving grapes to three year olds you will need to chop them. Also possibly the strawberries as they will most likely not be sitting still to eat.

Thanks all. Party went really well. 28 littles ones in total, and lots of parents , many of whom were willing helpers!

We did a mix of ham and cheese spread sandwiches (crusts off!), party ring biscuits. cucumber slices, cherry toms, strawberries (instead of grapes), crisps and breadsticks. Hardly any wastage. Was really please.

Parents appreciated the tea, coffee and pastries too.

And jugs of squash!