Do I need to serve food (other than cake & ice cream) at my 3 year olds birthday party?

We are having a party with 12 kids at a local kids activity center. The party is going to be from 11a-1p. The kids will doing activities for an hour and a half and have the party for the other 30 mins. Should I have sandwiches or snacks for the parents and kids in addition to the cake? Since we don't have much time to each and open presents I am torn between providing food and not. If I should provide more than just cake what should I provide? Something that does not require heating up, because they don't have any kitchen facilities at the activity center.Do I need to serve food (other than cake %26amp; ice cream) at my 3 year olds birthday party?
I would have pizza delivered and order enough for the parents too.Do I need to serve food (other than cake %26amp; ice cream) at my 3 year olds birthday party?
Some kids might not sit for an hour and a half to do crafts, and they should be hungry at that time. But don't make it so hard for yourself, just order pizza for everyone and enjoy the party.
Let them have sandwiches and cake .
It would be nice to have something else for the parents but work with your budget don't go overboard as long as your child has a good birthday then that is all that matters. right?
i think sandwiches is the go
well the night be fore the party make Little sandwiches and potato chips and the take it to the party well be fore the cake let them eat the sand witches and chips minimize the playing time then eat cake and open presents trust me i did plenty of little birthday party's in a hour
I would provide some healthy snacks to counterbalance all the sugar in the cake and ice cream, or otherwise you may have a batch of sugar-hyped kids. It doesn't have to be a complicated menu, either.





Small cheese sandwiches, pita triangles or veggies and dip, or other finger foods would be a good idea, and I'm sure the parents would appreciate them, too.
I wouldn't just let the parents know so they can be sure to feed their kids an early lunch before they go
first off you invited too many kids the best rule is 1 guest per year of age plus at most 2 more. But Ya since you chose over lunch time you would be best to serve an assortment of sandwiches and fruit and some kind of non carbonated juice.
Yes, you need to serve food,BUT do not go overboard. Serve food, don't feed them so much they won't need dinner! Go to subway or port a subs and get a couple of foot longs cut them into 4's or get a six foot ( get all condiments on the side)-You invited a lot of people. And bring it with you to the party so people can eat right away. Let the kids play for the full time and if time runs out, open the presents at home and just be sure to write down everything for your thank you cards. Remember it's YOUR child's birthday, no one else!


Another idea is to eat and let the kids run around at the center then come back to your house for cake and ice cream? Just a suggestion.
i would get finger food.. chips/dip. Some places such as Costco sell platters of made up sandwiches. I would also definetly get drinks, juice boxes such as hi-c or soda cans are always good and easy... just keep them in a cooler. Good Luck and hope she has a Happy Birthday =)
You could do small finger food snacks that are good for kids. Just have bowls of food set out. You could do foods like chips and pretzels, and also healthy foods (so the parents will be happy), like a vegetable or fruit tray.
it's over lunchtime...i think you should
Since it is during lunchtime, I'd offer something besides the cake %26amp; ice cream.





Make sandwiches ahead of time, then cut then with cookie cutters into fun shapes - easy and the kids will get a kick out of it. Have some carrots %26amp; dip or chips or something else simple on the side and that would be enough.





If that isn't something like you'd want to do, is it too late to change the time of the party? Because at that time, cake is really not enough.





And yes, I have two young kids of my own, so I understand your dilemma! :)
I suggest something small, easy to make, and can serve a lot of people. How about PB%26amp;J's. You can make a bunch of those and maybe have a bag of chips and some cans or juice boxes to drink.
Yes...you should serve food since you are having the party at lunchtime. I wouldnot worry about presents..that can take a long time and they can be opened later.
just give the kids the cake and ice cream and some fun games like ';try to get the apple out of the barrel, or a relay race';!
well i think so because you don't want them bouncing off the walls


good foods are...


-veggies


-chips


-fruit


also parents usually like stuff besides sugger
u can serve pizza. 30 minutes or less or ur money back
If you specify'; CAKE AND ICE CREAM'; to be served at a certian time you should be safe. If you really want extra a veggie tray is a great heathly idea. If you present a party schedule -times and activties- they will know to feed prior to the party.
no let kids be kids but not to much sweets
i personally think the cake is fine and i would only serve the cake personally as the party is for the children not the adults





but if you are concerned may i suggest you can make your own sandwhich plate or vegetable or fruit platter, making sure its out of reach of the small children..it is for only 2 hours in total and the party is for small children, as for drinks purchasing juice / soda pop, will help quench the thirst,
Make finger sandwiches. Or order hoagies and pick them up then slice in small bites leave out the hot peppers and sweet peppers and the onions also.
Maybe you should change the time of the party, since it is right during lunch. I would expect my kids to eat there during that time of the day. I never do food. Its too much of a hassle. Thats why I always have their party around 2 or 3. Sandwhiches %26amp; vegies sticks would be enough to get them through the party.
i had 13 kids for my son's 3rd birthday and yes, you should have food out besides just cake and ice cream.....since the party is going through most children's lunch time........fruit, veg, rice cake/chips, cheese, rolled ham and turkey slices, pickles, yogurt, cottage cheese, fresh buns......just let the kids help themselves...they love that and if the parents are with them they will help out their child.........if it isn't real healthy, don't worry it's just one day and it is a party so chips are fine too and juice boxes are good for drinks.....i did my son't party at our home, but just put stuff out all over and let everyone help themself and it was great!! as i said the kids really like that they can just dig in!! have a lot of fun and happy birthday to your little girl!!!!!!
Hey do you want to deal with the kids when they are on a sugar rush!? Put out some pb%26amp;J or finger sandwiches to keep them alittle calm down.
Order pizza or make some hotdogs quick and easy
Unfortunately, having the party from 11 - 1, which traditionally includes lunch time, I think you've set yourself up to have to provide soomething with some protein, nutritional value. I agree with the 1st person to answer, pizza would be an easy choice. Kids like it, so they may actually eat part of a piece before charging up with cake %26amp; ice cream.


And, with that age group - make sure you have twice as many napkins than you think you need.


Bless your heart - having a party that large for 3 year olds - you're a brave woman. I hope you have a minute or two to really enjoy watching your little one celebrate and have fun. If you haven't already done so, recruit at least one helper so you can take pictures.
Order pizza for everyone too.
How about some of those pre-cut cheese cubes, and sliced fruit with yogurt to dip it in? It'll give everyone something wholesome to snack on without being a full meal. It's a minimum of trouble and would be a very considerate offering.
You can always do what I did. My 3 yr old party was mostly family with little kids. You can always do finger sandwiches. Little triangles without crust for the kids and homemade subs for the adults. For the kids, sandwiches with PB%26amp;J and Ham and cheese and for the adults EVERYTHING. I did a theme for my daughters party with little plastic bugs and ants. Kinda like a picnic. They loved it. Then instead of sodas I got a plastic punch bowl with green punch kids thought it was boogers LOL. If you need anything else let me know. Xty_rivera@sbcglobal.net