How to serve platters at child's party

[SOT3]

My 6 year old is having a party and we plan on putting platters of finger food out.

I was just wondering what would be the best way to serve it, or do the children just take what they want with their hsndsand put it on their plate?

(Picturing a free for all when the children come into the food room after playing and just can't work out what to do to make it easiest).

The platters will have a mixture of sweet and savoury items on them plus fruit (like the ones you can buy in from caterers).

Just put it on a table and they can help themselves.

Yes I am putting it on the table, I was just wondering if I need to give the children forks or something to serve themselves (hygiene).

Give them forks and spoons. Keep an eye on them as they help themselves. Use individual portions for things that don't easily divide into units.
I remember one party where a child took all the cream and custard off the trifle and another child ate the filling out of something then reassembled it and put it back on the platter.

If it's hygiene wise then a small lunchbox each. All prepared in advance

I would give them their own portion on a paper plate. Having witnessed many a free for all at kids parties when the platters came out it's easier and more hygienic. Nobody wants to deal with a half eaten snot covered chicken nugget dumped back on a platter.

Have also witnessed kids using their hands and helping themselves to the birthday cake, as in it had not even been cut but they just grabbed a lump with their hands.

After much bitter experience, I wouldn't. Too much mess and waste. And the shyer ones tend to miss out. I always found ready prepared boxes or plates worked best. They will probably only eat grapes or strawberries too!

Thanks so much for all your great advice, I really appreciate it.

I'd just let them at it. They will use their hands anyway even if you give them cutlery. There's usually plenty of parents there too to keep an eye on making sure their own ones get a reasonable amount.

I’ve always served platters and it’s always been fine. Just get a few adults to assist in getting stuff onto plates. It’s never been a problem in my experience!

I used to host kids parties as a teenager & have done a fair few as a parent so I consider myself a bit of a party pro! 😂
Presuming there will be adults in hand to assist, I would give them a paper plate & put the sandwiches, crisps sausage rolls in the middle. Wouldn't bother with serving forks etc as they won't use them. Don't under any circumstances put out the cakes & biscuits until most have almost finished because the minute they are out on the table that is all they will eat! If you don't have any help then boxes are a good idea, though be prepared for the moaning 'I don't like cheese' etc.

Thank you everyone for all your really helpful insights and advice.