Starting the process of hosting a successful, fun, and safe children’s birthday party can feel overwhelming, but we are here to help!
#1 – AVOID CHOKING HAZARDS, EVEN WITH FRUIT & TAKE AWAY GIFTS
Do not give children a goodie bag with choking implements in it. Once they see the goodie bag, they’re never giving it back. Very young children don’t have enough teeth for Starburst but they’re going to want them if they see them on a candy display or in a goodie bag. Instead, include dissolvable treats, like Yummy Puffs and other softer natural snacks, rather than hard candy. It’s difficult to serve certain types of fruit at children’s birthdays because they can be choking hazards; if you’re looking to serve fruit, some tips are to cut washed grapes in half and remove the tops of strawberries before similarly cutting them in half. Refrigerated apple sauce packs make for an easy non-dairy treat. Never serve nuts – in addition to being a choking hazard and common allergy, many pediatricians recommend not giving children nuts until they’re 5 years old.
#2 – PLAN THE MENU WITH KIDS AND DIETARY RESTRICTIONS IN MIND
Some snacks that we always have received positive feedback with catering for Made by Meg Catering at children’s birthday parties include grilled cheese, crudité cups in stick form, and French toast sticks (not just for breakfast!) with vanilla bean brioche. For appetizers, having a fun dip with fresh crudité ready for immediate snacking when your guests arrive adds a healthy component to your menu and takes one less at-event action item off your plate. 90% of the children’s parties have pizza, which means if the parent or child are gluten free or lactose intolerant, they’re not able to eat. Make sure to accommodate both adults and their kids who may have dietary restrictions with alternatives. This is a great opportunity to work with a caterer who keeps these types of event planning logistics in mind when putting together the perfect party menu.
#3 – HAVE SEPARATE BEVERAGE STATIONS AND SEPARATE COOLERS
Always separate the kids coolers and adult’s coolers with clear labeling. Put fun stickers and a “For The Kids!” sign on the cooler containing non-alcoholic options, and a straightforward “Adults Only!” sign on the beer can cooler. For the drinks table, if you’re going to serve pre-batched beverages, we recommend the beverage in the serving container be alcohol-free, with a bottle of your desired spirit placed next to it, just in case a child is confused on if they can have the pink drink in the glass dispenser. For the adult bar, it’s helpful to have clearly laid out the offerings so that guests know they can make it themselves.
#4 – MOCKTAIL SERVICE
Take the stress off and hire a designated bar service to cater both kid-approved mocktails (as well as adult beverages for the parents). Perfect for children’s birthdays and Mitzvahs, some of our newest and most fun mocktail offerings with Tipsy Pear are the Tilt-A-Whirl with cotton candy & a licorice straw, Blue Lagoon with a blue sugar rim & gummy sharks, Shimmering Shirley with edible glitter and a cherry on top, and Singin’ Gummy Bear garnished with gummy bears. We’ve seen a surge in Candyland-themed birthdays after Adam Sandler’s Netflix film, You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, launched in summer 2023.
#5 – THINK SMALL PORTION SIZES
When planning children’s portion sizes for food, drinks, and desserts, think small. That is, high in quantities, small in size. Pick up super small drink and snack packages because kids will open them and leave them scattered around the party. Along with small appetites, they have short attention spans. You’ll win with individual miniature desserts & mini cupcakes because they’re going to want to try more than one flavor.
#6 – CONVENIENCE IS KEY
All kids and adult food need to be easy and fast to eat – think easily accessible packaged snacks for kids in multiple locations throughout the party venue. You never know where you’re going to be when your kid gets cranky and desperately needs an immediate snack. Individual packaging and smaller bowls help also keep any hidden germs from getting other guests attending the party sick.
#7 -THINK ABOUT STAINS IN ADVANCE
Avoid super messy or saucy foods, no sloppy joe’s or spaghetti pasta, even though they’re delicious. Don’t order food with tons of food coloring dyes, especially cupcakes, because it goes straight through your body and can also stain any clothing or furniture of the hosts.
#8 – MAKE IT EASY TO STAY TIDY
It’s not the most fun to talk about, but it’s even less fun to see abandoned trash around on your decorated tables. Place multiple trash cans in different areas around the party for easy and quick cleanup. Make sure all your setup and prep stations are ready in advance of your event. If you’re hosting at home, before the party starts make sure to unload the dishwasher, take the trash out from all rooms in the house, and put a few empty trash bags at the bottom of your accessible trash can just in case someone else needs to take out a full trash bag mid-event. If you’re having an outdoor daytime event, you can have a bottle of children-friendly sunscreen on the counter next to the hand soap for anyone who may have forgotten.
#9 – HAVE FUN WITH YOUR THEME (AND PRIORITIZE KIDS HAVING FUN!)
Think about what activities the birthday child would find the most fun, unique, and memorable. If they love My Little Pony, look into colorful decorations and braid bars. If they love dogs, one fun idea is a Puppy Party, where you serve puppy chow (little Pirate’s Booty or cheese puffs that are easy for young kids to eat) in mini disposable dog bowls. Little kids love eating hands-free like puppies and it’s sure to be a fun time. Instead of a goodie bag, can adopt a toy pound puppy.
#10 – ADD AN INTERACTIVE ELEMENT WHEREVER YOU CAN
Think of hosting a child’s birthday like a magician with many scarves up their sleeve; the tricks keep coming and they can all be very simple. Have a fun surprise at every turn that doesn’t take a ton of work so that you’re not away from your guests for long and you can also enjoy your event. When it comes to fun kids mocktails, sometimes an interactive station is the way to go. For instance, a “build your own soda” station with fun garnishes and a variety of syrups to mix-in. If you’re having a bartending service at your event, see if they have a bubble gun to use on top of the drinks (both for the kids and adults) and change the smoke flavor to match the mocktail flavor as another fun way to create an interactive, memory-making event. Making the kids feel special and making them a part of their own creation adds to the fun of any event!
IN CLOSING
As you prepare for your child’s next celebration in Los Angeles, remember that the right catering can transform an event into a stress-free and cherished memory. At Made by Meg Catering, we specialize in crafting delicious menus that delight both kids and adults, ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable experience for everyone. From allergy-friendly options to playful mocktails and themed treats, our team is dedicated to making your event dreams come true. Contact us today to discover how we can bring joy and deliciousness to your next party!
