5th birthday party

[optimisticmum4]

I'm organising my first big party for the daughter's 5th birthday (around 60-70 people in total of which around 30 will be kids).
Party will be early afternoon (2-4pm). We are looking to serve pre-packed picnic boxes for the kids and have some light foods for the adults.

Can anyone suggest any popular vegetarian options including snacks that would be popular to have the kids boxes and also for the adults tables?

Also, what works well in terms of cutting cake - cut before the kids sit down to eat (3pm) or after eating (3:30pm)?

Thanks
Thanks

I’ve done a few parties now. My best advice is to not overthink it!

In lunchboxes we normally get a choice (in advance as part of RSVP) of cheese and jam (or ham) sandwiches. There’s also a bag of crisps, fruit/veg (either shared platters or cucumber/carrot sticks wrapped in cling film), and some sort of pre wrapped sweet treat (bag of party rings/cookies/etc).

At that time, adults probably won’t want to eat anything proper. Scones (with Jam and cream) was popular at one mid afternoon party I went to.

Cake is normally after food

Party rings are good as any kids with a dairy allergy can eat them too. You can get individual little bags of them in the supermarket.

For the kids boxes it's usually a sandwich (you could offer cheese / ham / jam and let parents choose in advance), crisps such as pom bears, a drink such as fruit shoot or juice carton and something sweet like a bag of animal biscuits.

Welch's fruit snacks are good as they are gluten free https://wildflowertrading.co.uk/welchs-fruit-snacks-mixed-fruit-fat-free-snacks-80-x-25g-pouches-per-box-692-p.asp?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAABWrVp6PqeHGOdNCNEdJLOY-IkV3-&gclid=CjwKCAiAzPy8BhBoEiwAbnM9Ow2XVJcfJmEk33jU8LDQP3q5TdgsEY8Q6IArmGcpjz3fdchufZmpUhoC0XwQAvD_BwE

And something like the Freddie's Farm fruit snacks are just fruit so I've used both for party bags

For the adults pizza is a good option, bread, cheeses, fruit and veg sticks, a Big Mac and cheese or pasta bake and lasagne maybe. We tend to do a bbq as I think beige party food is a bit rubbish for adults.

I always do the party boxes for big parties. Makes it so much easier on the day as it’s all done.

I make them up a day or two before and put all the long life food in. Pack of crisps, sweet treat, something healthy like raisins. Then on the day I make up sandwiches and put them in food bags or foil. Keep in the fridge until just before you leave. Add to the box with a yoghurt tube. And you’re done. I don’t put the drinks in the box due to space and stuff being squashed but buy fruit shoots. At the party table each place has a box and fruit shoot.

If the adults are just there to accompany the children you don’t need much. Just some drinks (only offer tea and coffee if you have help - I never do). I buy pre packed biscuits to hand round so if they are not eaten you can take them home.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! Very helpful. Just feel a bit daunted with organising it all but I'm sure once I've done one, it'll get easier.

It definitely will. Mine are older now and I miss those days