Kids Birthday Party Food (5 year old birthday)

[elenna55]

Hi, I am preparing for my son's 5th Birthday Party, that he will have with his classmates. I was planning to make lunch party boxes (with sandwiches, pom bears, a yogurt or a chocolate mouse, a fruit cup and a piece of brownie or something similar, with juice box).

I am also planning to make a grazing platter and sweet platter, for everyone kids and parents, as well as sandwiches for parents.
Birthday will start at 11am and will have a break in around 12pm, so I guess everyone will be hungry as it is around lunch time.

Really unsure what party food to serve, as I am coming from a completely different background, and not sure what is it expected in terms of the food for the kids birthday parties in the UK.

I would really appreciate any ideas and advice :)

Don't do the grazing platters. It's really not neccesary and they are definitely not the norm. The children won't eat their party meal if they are grazing beforehand and will be grabbing food on the go
and making a mess with it. Plus, kids at parties generally don't eat that much. Parents will expect nothing and will be grateful for a cuppa and biscuits/cake. If you really want to add a plate of sandwiches too
Keep it simple to make it easy on yourself. Your party boxes sound nice with plenty of food. Platters are very unnecessary
Hope you dc has a lovely party.

Thank you for your suggestions, I also don't want to end up with tons of uneaten food. I guess simple food to go with tea/coffee will do. As I also have an entertainer, so want kids to be focused on the activities rather than the food.

I think your menu sound good. Honestly though, I would have everything as open platters and let the kids help themselves with the parents supervising. The lunch boxes sound really cute, but so many kids have allergies or just dislike certain things, I think open plates is just easier than kids being upset when they don't like or can't have something in their box.

I also wouldn't bother with food for the parents except perhaps some cupcakes/biscuits/drinks.
The lunch boxes sound fab and would generally be the norm at parties we have been at.
Obviously check with parents about allergies/dietary requirements and perhaps give them an option re sandwiches, usually ham, or cheese.