Ideas on What to Serve 3 Yr Olds at a Birthday Party

Well, for a birthday at the park I would suggest sub sandwiches. Most kids and adults like them and you can have all the condiments served separately. You can have chips or pretzels or a fruit bowl with juice boxes and of course your cake! (I might consider skipping the ice cream - too hard to keep cold??)

Have fun!
C.~

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2 moms found this helpful

I think pizza works really well! You can get a variety of toppings to please the adults and kids. Another idea would be deli sandwiches. Most delis can do either the giant subs or party trays with a variety of subs cut into smaller chunks.

If you want to have some appetizers I recommend tortilla roll ups (turkey, cream cheese lettuce), pretzels, apple slices, string cheese, or veggies & hummus

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Along the lines of the taco salad idea, we had tostadas for our daughter's 2nd birthday. For the kids you could use the "scoops" type chips so they can dip or create mini tostadas. It was easy enough to cook the meat ahead of time and then just have out all of the fixings.

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Sometimes we just get cold cuts and rolls and let people make their own sandwiches. Have all the condiments there and everyone can put on what they like, mayo mustard, lettuce, tomato, etc. For the kids, put out peanut butter, a couple of jelly choices, honey, and bread. Don't forget the cookie cutters for kids to cut their sandwiches into fun shapes. This goes perfect with a park party. You can have veggies and fruit for sides.

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Pizzas! You can cut them up into bite sized pieces for the children but they can handle a slice. Cupcakes for dessert instead of cake work great for young kids.

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Hi A.,

I agree with the other mom who mentioned pizza; it's easy and will please most people---adults and children. You could also serve chicken fingers/nuggets. Most pizza places deliver these as well. I always like to include some fruit and veggie choices, too. Apple slices are always good and maybe some very thinly sliced carrots. These are easily transported and hold up well for the short duration of a birthday party. We usually provide juice boxes and water for drinks, and everyone seems happy with that.

I would also like to suggest that you ask parents ahead of time if their children have any allergies, and if so, what they are. This is coming from a mom of a child with food allergies. Although it is ultimately the parents' responsibility to watch their children and what they eat, this is important information to know as some children are so allergic to certain things (e.g., peanuts) that mere exposure can trigger a serious reaction. Also, I've seen candy dishes filled with peanut m & ms at parties. So tempting for little ones to grab and put in their mouths before anyone even realizes it!

Hope your little one has a fantastic birthday!

J.

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Hi there! were having my son's first birthday May 2nd in a park and we decided to go with a 7 ft. sub from Mario's in glendale, just wanted somewhere other than subway. I believe they can even go up to 9ft.

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What about a bucket of KFC, they don't call it "finger licking good" for nothing. It's great warm or cold. You can also get great sides like baked beans, mashed potatoes, biscuits, cole slaw, corn on the cob.... Kids love to eat drumsticks, it's great finger food. Good luck and have fun!!

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we did pizza and cake & drinks ..went over fabulously.. and it was easy

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I made chicken on a stick, broccolin-wee pasta, fruit salad and carrot pineapple cupcakes with cream cheese icing. All healthy and perfect for adults and kids!-www.weelicious.com

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A deli platter works well. If you live near Vons, they have different sizes and choices for a reasonable amount of money. We have also had a giant pizza delivered to the park. Have the pizza place cut it into squares instead of triangles. You can also look at all the stuff they have at Costco, already made sandwiches on croissants, salads, chips, etc.

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Hey A.,
It's always good to have something munchy & crunchy: chips, pretzels, carrot sticks, fruit (cut up), and the main meal can be a cold pasta salad (or even plain noodles with a little butter, most kids will eat them cold), and you can also do sandwiches: tuna, turkey, etc. Make them small. Adults will like them, too. Another option is bagels and cream cheese with a veggie tray (in addition to the other things, but maybe instead of the other sandwiches). We always had bottled water, juice boxes for the kids, and sodas for the adults.
Hope this helps! Have fun and congrats on your kids! =0)
L.

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crustless sandwiches, peanut butter, cream cheese cucumber, salami & cheese, etc. cut up fresh fruit, strawberries, cheese cubes, cold macaroni salad.

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I went to another 3 yo bday party where my friend served sub sandwiches for the adults and those "Uncrustables" peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the kids. She had juice boxes, gold fish and baby carrots for the kids to munch on. The kids cared more about playing at the park than they did about food.

We recently attended another birthday party for a 4 year old boy. They had munchies (pretzels, fruit, carrots, chips, popcorn, drinks) there. The parents coordinated games for the kids and play time at the park. To end the party, she just served cake. My kids had a really great time. At first, I was wondering where the food was, but after the party was over, I was pleased. It was a great and simple party....kind of like the ones I used to attend as a kid.

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Apple slices with dipping sauces like caramel and yogurt. For the adults, slice a nice cheese like Manchego. Individual fruit cups.

I once saw a website that made PB&J sandwiches and rolled them and wrapped them in cellophone like firecrackers. That was cute. I also saw Playhouse Disney do a different take on the hot dog--they used a hot dog bun, spread peanut butter inside, added a banana, and topped with jelly. I suppose you'd need a backup for those who are allergic to peanuts.

db

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A.,

Here are some ideas...
hotdogs, corn dogs, 1/4 simple sandwiches, pizza, fruit cups, capri suns, juices, small pieces of fruit, chips, carrots, cupcakes, etc...

anything small and that can be handheld vs. utensils...

tacos too :-)

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I think fruit slices or a fruit bowl with juices and water, string cheese, chicken nuggets.

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Sandwiches are great - either home made or sub sandwiches. I also like build-your-own sandwiches, with trays of meat and cheese, then bread or rolls and condiments, so everybody gets it just how they like it. Trays of crackers with spreads and/or meats and cheeses are good, too. Veggie trays don't go over great with kids, but they love fruit trays! Add some chips if you want, and single serving drinks (one tub of juices and half size sodas for the kids, one tub of full size cans or bottles for adults).

Hello A.,

For our son's 3 yr old party, we had Chick-fil-A cater it. We ordered a large nugget tray and large fruit tray. Then I just had chips & dip, a veggie tray and I believe a salad.

It was great. For his 2nd birthday we did a sandwich tray from Sam's Club, a fruit & veggie tray, chips & dip.

For his 1st birthday I believe we just had chips/dip, fruit & veggie tray since it was in between meal times for everyone.

This year he will be 4 in Aug and I am already planning his party. Indiana Jones is what he wants. As for food, I can't think of anything right now. But, since we do all his parties at home I think this year we just may do the hamburgers and hot dogs. Since, I make all his cakes I am more worried about how to do a Indiana Jones theme cake!

Hope this helps,
M.

Fun times, for my son's third birthday I premade sack lunches with peanut butter & jelly sandwhichs added fruit cups and juice. I made some with no jelly and some with no peanut butter and labeled them. Every kid thought it was soo cool they got their own bag. An extra bonus was alittle party favor.

Have fun.

You should try serving all the fixings for a taco salad. So have a taco salad bar. The kids will love to dip the tortilla chips in the ground beef or sour cream or guacamole or eat the cheese. I went to a 5-yr.old b-day and I watched all the kids eating something. Also have cut-up fruit available. Good luck!