When you’re hosting a child’s birthday party, you always wonder about the food situation. What could you serve a handful or up to a dozen or more different children from different backgrounds and varying eating habits that all will enjoy and eat? No one wants to see any child hungry, so if your kid has their special day coming up and invited the whole class over, here are snacks for a kid’s birthday party that will be eaten by the end of the festivities.
Snacks the kids can make
Mini pizzas
You can do this one so many ways, and the fun part is the children can put these together themselves. You could make it a part of the party and set it up like a game. It will take up some time and feed the kiddos. Use English muffins, mini bagel bites, or small buns as the base, and let the children create their own mini pizzas.
Mini hot dogs
You could do regular hot dogs, but for a party, make smaller versions so it’s easier for a child to grab a little one here and there throughout. Cut up one larger hot dog into three smaller parts to create mini versions and let the kids add different toppings.
Fruit skewers
Depending on the age of the kids so they don’t stab themselves (or anyone else), skewers are another cool idea for the children to make themselves. Dice fruit into little cubes and let the children customize them how they want so no fruit goes to waste.
Easy go-to’s that never fail
Mini sandwiches or burgers
Yes, kids eat sandwiches a lot for lunch, but let’s make it more interesting. Cut the sandwiches up into shapes so the child doesn’t have to eat a whole sandwich if they don’t want to, and it’s more appealing to a kid’s eyes when they see another presentation of the food.
Or opt for other mini kinds of sandwiches. Mini burgers or sliders are gone in a blink. Offer them plain and let the kids do their own toppings, so everyone gets what they like.
Chicken nuggets
What child has ever said no to chicken nuggets, especially if they are the dino-shaped ones? You could get some in different shapes and create a platter with various dipping sauces so the kids can grab what they want, when they want.
Mini corndogs
Kids love hot dogs, but for a party setting, mini corndogs are so cute and easy to do and are just the right size for a group of kids who don’t want to stop playing.
Snacks to grab and go
Popcorn
Freshly popped popcorn is on another level. Making flavored popcorn isn’t difficult, so you could make a few varieties for the children to munch on throughout the party. It’s a healthy snack, too, and the leftovers will be great for the parents to eat while cleaning up.
Snack mix
Everyone loves a good snack mix, and there is something in it for everyone. Grab pretzels, various types of nuts, different kinds of crackers, golf fish, and whatever else the parents won’t mind eating if there is some leftover, and mix it all in a bowl. You could sprinkle flavoring mixes like ranch on it to give it another layer or add a bit of salt and pepper.
Dips platter
A presentation of different chips and dips is a great snack for a kid’s party because they can grab and go as they want to and it offers the children a variety, which means they will be more likely to eat it. From ranch dip to spinach dip, pick a few and create a tasty stop for the kids in between playing party games.
You could even do chips and salsas, veggies and dips, pita chips and hummus, or whatever item you like to dunk into a delicious dip. But these dip platters are easy, simple, and are enjoyed by everyone.
Dessert-style snacks
Cake pops
Cake pops are easier to make than you would realize and are so much more cost effective if you make them at home, and kids go crazy for them. Dip them in frosting to match the colors of the party or your child’s favorite colors to keep it festive.
Chocolate covered anything
Whether you use fruit, pretzels, or marshmallows, anything tastes better when it’s covered in chocolate. Give yourself enough time for this one if you want to serve it so it’s had a chance to freeze long enough. If you have an idea to dip something else in chocolate and wonder if the kids will eat it, the answer is yes, dip it in chocolate and find out.
Don’t worry about what the kids are going to eat at the birthday party, whether the whole class is coming over or it’s just the family. Pick out a few of these snacks for a kid’s birthday party or create smaller eating stations and let the kids enjoy their time together. By making a couple of these snacks and giving the children options, everyone will find something they like, so no one goes home hungry and everyone has had a good time.
