What food would you serve at a 2pm to 4pm children's party?

[GibbyWB]

Hello,
I'm having a birthday party for my 5-year-old on a Saturday from 2pm–4pm with an entertainer. After reading another thread, I'm now wondering if I've got the timing wrong!
As it's after lunchtime, I'm hoping most of the children will have already eaten. There will be a 20-minute break in the entertainment for food. What would you put out? Would you do a full party tea, or just snacks and cake?
There will be around 35 children, so I'm trying to keep it practical without everyone leaving hungry!

I was thinking ice-cream in a cone? But thought I should have something a little more!

This. Don't over-think it.

With that many kids, think 'chimps tea party'.

Where we are, people only provide a meal at 11-1 parties. For 10-12 and 2-4 they will do snacks. No one minds, the key is to make people aware in advance. It’s always good to send a party reminder anyway so you can just say ‘We will be having a short break for ice cream at 3pm’. It means everyone knows they need lunch before they go and tea when they get back.

That said, I always do food in party boxes as it’s really easy. The idea of a class full of 5 year olds filing past a buffet fills me with horror! It means you can get the boxes ready before you get there and just put out when you’re ready. Keep it super simple - sandwich/pizza/sausage roll (choose 1 thing for everyone - wrap in foil), pack of crisps, mini biscuits, raisins, fruit shoot, napkin. It really helps prevent waste and means you can cater for dietary requirements separately.

I wouldn’t over complicate it but with 5YOs people will expect food. Sandwiches (I’d go with jam, ham and cheese to cover most preferences/dietary requirements) but don’t do tons, crisps e.g. pom bears or hula hoops, fruit shoot or juice carton and then birthday cake. Maybe some strawberries if you feel the need to put something healthy out. I don’t think you need to be cooking pizzas or sausages and stunt veggies are pointless because they don’t get eaten.

I recall having these as a child and thought they were the most amazing things ever. Likely less colouring and E-numbers than back then though.
Rainbow oranges

People will expect food. Most parents will probably give their child a light lunch and then not expectto have to give them much if anything for tea.

I'd go wth sandwiches, crisps, fruit and cake as a bare minimum with maybe mini pizza slices/cocktail sausages etc.