Finger food for kids parties that they'll really like
If you’re planning a do for your little one, you’re likely wondering what to feed them. You don’t want anything too messy and are probably keen to limit the washing up too. So, with that in mind, here’s our list of finger food for kids parties that will be a win for you and them.
Picky bits for a kids party
Starting with the classic picky-bits approach, let’s separate our table into sweet and savoury items.
Savoury finger food for kids parties
You’ll want a mix of hot and cold options to really wow parents and kids alike. We suggest mini sausage rolls, carrot and cucumber sticks with a garlic dipping sauce or hummus, pizza bagels, a few different types of crisps and party sandwiches with the crusts removed. You could also do something more adventurous like a taco wrap station where kids can create their own wrapped-up taco treats. For that, you’ll want fajita-seasoned cooked Quorn mince, beef or chicken. You’ll need tortilla wraps as well. Then, have bowls of chopped lettuce, sliced green onions, shredded cheddar, diced tomatoes, salsa, sour cream and guacamole on the side.
Sweet finger food for kids parties
Now for the sweet, let’s do a few healthier options with the classic baked goods. If you opt for cupcakes over cake, then you won’t need plates and forks - although, for a birthday, you might really want that big cake and candle moment. The choice is up to you. To pair with your baked goods, put out some fruit kebabs or watermelon (have some napkins handy for drips), chocolate-dipped strawberries, melon balls and chocolate bananas. You may also try a shaved ice station if it’s hot weather. That way the kids can choose their own syrups and add toppings like boba whilst cooling down.
How much finger food for kids parties do you need?
You don’t need to provide much either. Make a few of the dishes from each list above and count on each child having about 8 pieces each. Don’t overdo it with finger food. Parents tell us their kids don’t have much interest in eating when they could be running about or playing with each other. So, unless you want a fridge full of leftovers that you’ll be eating for days after; don’t make a dozen different dishes.
Do you provide food for parents at a kids party?
Absolutely! You could also create an adult charcuterie board. It’s an elevated form of picky bits and will save them from having to eat any half-nibbled finger food from off of the party trays. For a parent’s board, we suggest 2-3 kinds of cheese, 3-4 kinds of cured meats, pate, figs, grapes, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, roasted garlic cloves, cheese crackers and mini toasts for every 6 adults.
What about dietary requirements?
Having a ‘free from’ and vegan side table is a great way to cater to most dietary requirements. Keep it totally separate from the other foods both during presentation and preparation. Encourage parents to tell you if they or their children are veggie, vegan or gluten-free so you can direct them to a table with goodies they can dive into like veggie dippers, crispy chocolate bites and the vegan variant of these adorable mini pizzas.
Hopefully, that’s helped you create the menu for the big day. For even more party-planning tips, have a look at our ideas here.
