Menu and Drinks for eight year old party

[NotMyDayJob]

We’re having a small party (8 girls) for DD and the food menu is:

sandwiches (egg, tuna, cheese)
pesto pasta
chicken skewers
mini pizzas
brownies
crisps
fruit

there will be a cupcake to take home

is there any other food we should do and what sort of drinks do this age group have at parties? Obviously there’ll be water but I don’t know if we should do juice/squash or if this age group have fizzy drinks as DD only really drinks water.

grateful for any suggestions as this is my first time catering a home party.

I would have juice but not fizzy drinks. I think
your menu sound a perfect.

I'd add in some veg sticks, ham sandwiches and some sweets. I think squash and water will be fine for drinks

Yea to drinks other than water. It’s a party! And just because your daughter mainly drinks water doesn’t mean you should subject everyone else to that. Big jugs of squash absolutely fine.

Have you made sure to check for any allergies or food intolerances/preferences from all guests so you can cater for any gluten free, vegan etc.

Minimise sandwich quantity & more sweet snacks! Party rings?!

Should have said no ham as one of the guests doesn’t eat pork so have decided to avoid so all guests can share

Well I’m not subjecting anyone to that that’s why I am asking. I can’t ask DD because she only drinks water is what I meant.

and yes I have checked re diets/allergies etc

You could offer sparkling water to add to the squash.

What about some toasted marshmallows?

I wouldn’t have egg or tuna sandwiches, I would have cheese and ham but cut them into shapes to make it more of a girls party than just basic sandwiches.

You could also offer a flavoured milkshake and let them choose which chocolate bar such as Milky Way, Galaxy etc or strawberry etc .

I’m not really in a position to have open flames for the marshmallows and tuna is DDs favourite, and as mentioned no ham.

ditto re the milkshakes I’m not really in a position to make them.

For my dd's party recently I bought a whole watermelon for £3.50 and sliced it during the party. It went down well. Apart from that it was basically just sandwiches, popcorn and birthday cake. To drink we had mini bottles of water and fruit shoots. Alcohol for the parents.

Less is more honestly, life is too short to be slaving away making rainbow fruit skewers [like I did last year!]

I’m not making a huge amount, just a few different types, you are right about the sweet snacks though I might do party rings (assuming no gelatine) and haribos

Oh yes watermelon is a great idea. I’m doing the cake as a takeaway, hence the brownies (which I am buying and definitely not making! )

I probably wouldn't do pasta unless your dd specifically asks for it,i think finger food and cake is fine,maybe do bottles of flavoured water if you don't want to have squash, or you could do a "cocktail" mixing orange/apple juice with fizzy water and some fancy straws

DD just turned 8 and doesn’t drink much other than water or milk either, maybe the occasional apple juice but still it is a party so we did small water bottles, apple juice cartons, summer fruit fruit shoots and the half size cans of lemonade. Food wise was sushi (cheap supermarket makis), crisps, sweets, donuts and a slice of birthday cake. I think your menu sounds nice, I would skip the egg though as it’s unlikely to be popular and add some more sweet stuff- sweets and party rings maybe.

The problem with the pasta is it turns it from finger food to fork food.

I find it difficult to judge because she changed school last year and at her old school some of the kids were having cans of fizzy drink at the reception and yr1 parties (not catered but the parents would buy them) so I never know if it’s me being strict/DD not being interested or it’s normal to be having cans of drink at this age. I might get some of the small cans of lemonade as a treat drink but still a small serving

Party rings have no gelatine, haribo does have gelatine though if you're avoiding that. Aldi and Tesco both have own brand jelly sweets that are gelatine free though if that helps.

I never provided fizzy drinks at kids parties saves any grief.

There is somewhere local that sells halal haribo (lots of Muslim children at DDs school)

Im not understanding why you can't do milkshakes?

Because I don’t want to stand around making milkshakes. Im not sure why you need to understand

Those innocent smoothie cartons (or own brand equivalent) are popular but I always went the flavoured water (ie the slightly healthier version of fruit shoots) as they had sports caps so there was less chance of spills.
What you have suggested is absolutely fine food wise. We introduced a chocolate fondue at DD’s 8th birthday and still have to get it out every year. We use Madeira cake, marshmallows & strawberries.

Yes I definitely don’t want any grief and I know some people feel strongly (me included!)

I’d also skip the egg sandwiches. I don’t think many children eat them (also tuna but it sounds like your daughter would like these) Maybe go for jam or cucumber instead?

That’s definitely a great idea for next year, I think it might be a bit too much with the party activity this time but definitely one for the future

Yeah your best not to,