Lunch Ideas for 5Th Birthday Party

Updated on March 21, 2012
B.C. asks from Montclair, NJ
16 answers

Hi all,

We're keeping things simple and having my son's 5th birthday party at home. There will be 12 children there. I'll have cake, fruit, goldfish, etc., but feel as though I should serve something more "lunchy" as well. I know we can fall back on pizza but would like ideas that are more economical (I'm fine with making whatever myself but don't want to be overwhelmed with last-minute preparations). Last year we had a vaguely dinosaur theme and I made pb&js and cut them out with dinosaur cookie cutters so want something different this year. I thought about mini bagels with various toppings. Any fun ideas for the 5 year olds?
Thanks,
B.

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E.T.

answers from Albuquerque on

Quesadillas are the biggest hit in the almost five year old crowd here. And so easy to make. Just microwave (or pan fry - but that takes more effort) shredded cheese sandwiched between tortillas and then cut into wedges that the kids can pick up. Serve with salsa and pinto beans on the side.

2 moms found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I would just add some cheese sticks in with the fruit and crackers. Young kids generally don't eat much at birthday parties because they are busy playing and running around the whole time :)

1 mom found this helpful

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M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Great idea! I love the dinosaur cookie cutter sandwiches! How fun!!

You're brave though :). We gave up on in-home parties a while ago.

Can you go with finger foods? Do pigs in a blanket, meatballs, veggies, pizza rolls, etc?

Or if you want to do lunch specific, can you do a "make your own sandwich" station? Rolls, ham, turkey, cheese...or tuna?

2 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

The slider burgers are popular now.

Funny... my daughter is 17 and everytime she and her friends get together, they make pigs in a blanket. They LOVE those things. We make them with crescent rolls and beef littlle smokies. We have them at the after homecoming parties and everytime there are teens here.

you could put toppings on the mini bagels like the bagel bites pizza in the store. Some sweet, some with pizza, etc.

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D.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

Make your own taco's or pigs in a blanket (Hillshire Farm makes turkey smokies now for a healthier option)

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M.T.

answers from New York on

I would make or buy personal sized pizza dough and let them make their own pizza's, if you are willing to bake them. Putting their pizza's together is an activity, they'll probably find it fun and you'll use some of the party time that way.

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T.H.

answers from Topeka on

My kids love meat, cheese & crackers. We throw in some grapes & you have a good snack. Happy Birthday to your little guy!

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W..

answers from Chicago on

You can order mini hot dogs from the vienna beef online store. They are cute and a hit.

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S.F.

answers from Madison on

One year for my daughter's party we did hotdogs and mac & cheese. I got a fresh pre-made pan of mac & cheese from Costco. It was very good. Just had to pop it in the oven and grill the hotdogs. Or you could make a pan of your own ahead of time and then just bake it before lunch time.

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D.P.

answers from New York on

I did chicken nuggets and french fries last year. We bought the big bag from BJ's and everyone loved it! And I baked everything in the oven.

A.W.

answers from Kalamazoo on

I think pigs in a blanket is a good idea. If you use hot dogs, I would cut them in half. Wrap them in those smaller type refridgerated biscuits and bake according to biscuit directions.

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S.B.

answers from Dallas on

For my son's party we did hot dogs and fruit. I also had little bags of chips in baskets on the table. We put the condiments in the middle. I had packets of things...it helped keep messes down. Most kids like hotdogs (and the few that didn't could eat the chips and fruit) and it's relatively cheap and easy.

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K.B.

answers from Detroit on

I saw a cute idea on Pinterest - take strips of bread, spread peanut butter and jelly on them, and then roll them up to make PB&J "sushi"! I know you said you did PB&J last year, but still thought it could be different.

I also vote for the pigs-in-blankets with hot dog or smokie links in crescent rolls, or bake pieces of hot dog into mini corn muffins to make mini corndog muffins. You can also do pizza crescent rolls with sauce, cheese, and other fillings.

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H.M.

answers from Dallas on

I would do pigs in a blanket or hotdogs. Those are farily easy and kids love them!

Good luck and God Bless!

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M.R.

answers from Seattle on

At a recent birthday party the mom made mini hamburgers on dinner rolls.

She cooked the seasoned meat in a 13x9 pan, cut the meat into squares, and placed it on a roll with a slice of cheese. And she had lettuce and tomatoes and ketchup. They were a huge hit with the kids.

I also think tacos are super tasty, as well as easy and fun toassemble, but messy at that age as well.

Happy Birthday!!

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A.B.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I always go to subway and get the sandwich platters. They got their footlongs into 3" pieces and they will put whatever you want on them and what you want for the sides. Easy clean up and the kids love that they get their own little sandwiches and can put what they want on them.

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