If you’re getting ready to host a party, look no further for inspiration! Here are 18 great kids party food ideas, all suggested by Mykidstime parents, that are guaranteed to be a hit at the party.
A mix of savoury and sweet, healthy and less-so, tends to work best. Lay out a mix of plates and bowls so the kids can help themselves, and give any hot food a few minutes to cool down before serving.
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Kids Party Food Ideas They’ll Love!
Rainbow Fruit Kebabs
Make some rainbow fruit kebabs, or simply put lots of sliced fruit out on a big plate to share.
Safety tip: grapes can be a choking hazard for children, so make sure to cut grapes in half lengthways.
Sandwiches, Wraps and Bagels
Simple, bite-size sandwiches or wraps are sure to be popular. Ham, cheese, jam and chicken are easy filling ideas, not forgetting some bagel quarters with cream cheese.
Want more sandwich ideas? Check out our round-up of 65+ sandwich fillings, suitable for all, including vegan.
Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
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Take two bars of chocolate (both milk, or one milk and one white) and melt them in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring in between.
Let the kids dip their strawberries into the melted chocolate — or, if you prefer less mess, dip each strawberry yourself and let the chocolate set before serving.
“These go down a treat and I like the fact that they are getting something healthy and treat-y at the same time.”
Party Hedgehogs
Make a hedgehog for the kids. Take half an orange and, using cocktail sticks with cubes of cheese and fruit, push the sticks into the orange to make your hedgehog.
“The kids love it and it’s healthy!”
Let Them Dip
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Kids love to dip, so the simplest thing is hummus with carrot sticks.
Or give them a couple of different dips to try with breadsticks, pepper slices, or even apple slices.
Rice Krispy Treats
Here are two great recipes for Rice Krispie buns and Rice Krispie Chewies, which are quick and easy to make.
“Always a winner at any age.”
Popcorn
A big bowl of popcorn is consistently a hit at kids’ parties. We always make our own, as we prefer it to microwave popcorn, and it’s really simple.
1. Coat a pot with a thin layer of oil, then add the popping corn and put the lid on.
2. Put the pot over a medium heat on the cooker, and when you start to hear the popping, give the pot a shake every few seconds to make sure the corn isn’t burning.
3. Once you hear no more pops, it’s safe to take the lid off. Empty the popped corn into a bowl, then add a blob of butter to the warm pot, melt it and pour it over the popped corn.
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Ice Cream Floats
These are so simple to make. Just put a scoop of ice cream in a glass and pour a fizzy drink on top. Great combinations include vanilla with cola, or vanilla with cream soda.
Smoothies and milkshakes are also popular with kids, so why not try making strawberry and banana milkshakes.
Pancakes
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Whip up a batch of mini pancakes and set out sliced bananas or strawberries, chocolate spread, whipped cream, mini marshmallows, or sugar and lemon juice. Here’s how to make fun pancake shapes for kids.
Philly Biccies
Another great kids party food option: digestive biscuits topped with cream cheese and sliced strawberry.
“Kids loved them when we had them at our recent home party.”
Chocolate Fountain
“This was a total hit! All you have to do is make some fruit kebabs — strawberries and grapes work well — and let the kids dip them into the fountain. My daughter’s friends from school were asking before her birthday if the chocolate fountain would be there, as they remembered it from last year!”
Chicken Skewers or Nuggets
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Homemade chicken goujons or chicken skewers with dips are always popular. Try a honey-mustard dip, garlic mayo, satay sauce, sweet and sour, or sweet chilli for older kids.
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Sausages and Sausage Rolls
Most kids love sausages, even fussier eaters, so cocktail-sized sausages or mini sausage rolls are a good option (you can buy the larger ones and slice them into three before serving).
Or make your own — here are easy recipes for Homemade Sausages and Sausage Rolls.
Homemade Pizzas
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Why not make homemade pizzas? Kids love choosing their own toppings, which also helps cater for different tastes and fussier eaters. Alternatively, here’s a recipe for Neapolitan pizza.
“Make small pizza bases, then put out toppings in bowls — cheese, tomato sauce, ham, sweetcorn — and let the kids make their own.”
“Try puff pastry pizzas — get ready-rolled puff pastry, fold back a little bit on each corner, spread tomato purée or sauce over it, add mozzarella and use your imagination!”
An alternative to making pizza dough is to use wraps or English muffins as the base.
Mini Burgers
These are very easy to make in advance and have ready to grill. Here’s Clodagh McKenna’s mini burger recipe.
“Mini burgers go down a treat, and if you keep them small, they’re less likely to be left uneaten.”
Decorate Your Own Cupcakes
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“For my daughter’s first birthday, I didn’t have time to decorate the fairy cakes, so I made icing in three different colours and put jelly tots, Smarties and hundreds and thousands out on a table in bowls, and everyone decorated their own — adults and kids loved this!”
Our lemon buns would be a tasty bake for this.
Jelly Boats
Take some oranges, cut them in half and scoop out the flesh, being careful not to tear the orange skin. Make up some jelly and pour into the “boats.” Leave to set in the fridge before serving.
“I used red and green jelly so they could choose (or fight over) which coloured boat they wanted!”
Marshmallow “Top Hats”
Melt some chocolate, then dip the top of a marshmallow in and top it with a colourful Smartie. Repeat with your remaining marshmallows, allow to set and serve.
“So quick and easy to make, and the kids love them.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance can I prepare kids’ party food?
Many of these ideas can be prepped ahead. Sausage rolls, cupcakes and pizza bases can usually be made the day before and stored in the fridge or an airtight container. Fresh fruit, dips and anything assembled with cream or chocolate are best done on the morning of the party or just before serving, so they stay fresh.
How much food should I make for a kids’ party?
This depends on the number of guests, the length of the party and whether a meal is served alongside the treats. A good approach is to offer a wide variety in smaller quantities — a mix of savoury and sweet — rather than large amounts of just one or two things, since children tend to graze rather than eat a full plate.
What if some of the children have food allergies?
Always check with parents in advance about allergies or intolerances. Simple swaps — such as using dairy-free chocolate, egg-free baking recipes, or clearly labelling nut-containing dishes — make it easier for everyone to enjoy the spread safely. Keep allergen-containing dishes separate and clearly marked where possible.
Can party food be a bit healthier without kids noticing?
Yes — fruit kebabs, veggie dippers with hummus, homemade chicken goujons and popcorn all feel like treats to kids but bring more nutritional value than shop-bought sweets. Mixing healthier options in alongside classic party favourites, like sausage rolls and cupcakes, usually works best.
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Save These Ideas for Your Next Party
Planning a party can be a lot of juggling, so it helps to have a go-to list of tried-and-tested favourites. Bookmark this page or save it to your parenting folder so you’ve got a ready-made menu next time a birthday rolls around.
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