Need Menu Idea for 2-Year Old Birthday party--ASAP

Give yourself a break mama!! Head to Costco or Sams club and go to their prepared deli foods area. Costco has some really tasty turkey tortilla wraps. They look like little wheels kinda and I've seen lots of little kids eat them. They also have some prepared salads (chicken cesaer, pasta, shrimp) that you could pick up. You could also just have a simple pasta salad and leave the dressing off a smaller bowl for the kids. The kids can then pick out whatever they don't eat? Hmmmm.... I just realized I'll be in the same boat this summer! Since you specified light lunch, don't feel like it has to be warm or too involved. My experience has been that light lunch normally indicates finger foods or cold. Good luck!

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Go to your favorite store and get some premade trays: veggies, fruits, meats & cheeses, etc. Also, many stores carry "cupcake" cakes. These are cupcakes frosted together in fun shapes. No cutting, just pull apart to serve. you can also get snack bags of fruit snacks, cracker & cookies. Go to the dollor store and pick up some pretty plates & cups. Your son will not care about how much you fused just that you celebrated.

Good Luck

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Pizza always works for everyone. If you want to stick with mac and cheese how about brats for the adults. Something simple with chicken would work to. Don't forget a veggie. I was surprised how my 2 yr old and her friend ate from a veggie platter.

Get a car shaped cookie cutter and slap together some peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches! Thats what we did for my daughter's 2nd birthday (not car shaped of course), pair the sandwhiches with a side of grapes and a juice box. take about 10 minutes to prepare. For the adults, a quiche or even a taco salad, something simple...believe me no one is expecting gourmet, it is a 2 year old party and the mamma is 7 months along. If they want Martha Stewart they can go out afterwards! :) Good luck! For a cake, you should order a cupcake cake, they are frosted to look like a cake but underneath the frosting there are cupcakes, perfectly portioned, easy to serve and delicious! HAVE FUN!!!!

For my sons birthday I did pigs in a blanket and they were a huge hit! Even the adults ate them and they were gone really fast .. for the adults I did a potato bar with a bunch of baked potatoes and then all the toppings that people could put on them like chili, cheese,sour cream, etc. The adults really seemed to like that - it simple and inexpensive but it was a big hit too. good luck! D.

MorningStar makes great little mini-corndogs that are vegetarian and much healthier than the typical corn dogs. You could make wraps with meat and cream cheese for the kids and throw on some lettuce and tomato for the adults. It's easy - just use a tortilla, spread put the ingredients on it and then cut them in to slices for "wheels". What about a veggie platter with dip for the adults and kids? Or you could do pizza - that's easy too, for the adults. The kids won't eat much because they're excited. You could also have little bowls of Annie's Cheddar Bunnies (or Goldfish), sliced grapes, etc... Stick to heavy appetizers rather than worry about preparing a meal. Have fun!

I would make some mac-n-cheese w/ hot dogs in it(fav of mine as a kid) :)
I'd also get a veggie or meat and cheese tray from somewhere.Then maybe juice, make a pot of coffee or even cold tea for the adults.
I've gotta do this for my daughter 3rd birthday this summer and I always struggle with what to do.
Good luck in whatever u choose and Happy Birthday to your son!

Safeway has an awesome chicken tray. It comes with regular chicken strips and spicy chicken strips and I believe nuggets. They are always a hit at our parties. Kids and adults love them. We have never had any problems customizing the tray...all nuggets, no spicy, all spicy, etc. Check it out. Serve with a couple of dipping sauces. Buy a veggie tray and fruit tray and you have yourself a light lunch. I agree, don't worry about making the party food themed. If you want to, just make labels for the foods you have that relate to cars....Lightning McQueen spicy chicken, corvette carrots, etc...Good luck!

Subway has $5.00 foot longs (or find out how much their party trays cost)....just ask for the sauce on the side and let people add their own. Most kids like meat and cheese. Add some chips/salsa and a veggie tray and you'll be good to go. It doesn't have to be a lot especially since you'll have cake. Have fun!!

I just went to a first birthday party for lunch. She had all kid friendly foods and the adults loved it, too. She did homemade mac and cheese, a baked rigatoni, pigs in a blanket and a big fruit bowl. It was great. I don't think you need both pasta dishes.

Good luck! I don't envy you feeling the way you do, but your sone will love it.

C.

I don't know how you feel about the frozen dinner thing, but I didn't feel all that great this is what I would do! I would put one of those a frozen lazagna in the over and some rolls and maybe a salad. Done! For the kids how about a pizza and juice box.

I think corn dogs are a good idea for all. If you want, when you serve them, have 4 thick sliced pickles on the sides to look like tires on a car. Stick them on with a half of tooth pick. Two dots of mustard for headlights and racing stripes in catsup. Adults usually like salad to go along with something else. A quiche is always a great choice.

M. ~

Who says b-day parties have to be nutritious :) Isn't that half the fun?? I think your idea is good for the kids -- how about adding "fruit on a stick" as well -- then, for the Mom's/parents, use the same fruit for your salad -- just throw the fresh fruit together with nothing on it -- That always tastes best, don't you think? The kids would love their fruit that way, and you won't have to do another thing for the parents. The fruit will go with the quiche idea (that would be plenty!) or with your mac and cheese. That's my input! Remember, a mom is most concerned that her child is having a good time at the party, not what she eats! Relax, rest and have a good time with your "super cute 2 year old"!

Blessings,

T.

I think everyone posted some great ideas. Chicken nuggets are a great subsitute for hot dogs and most grocery stores have them cooked already or you could buy them frozen. Also, the roast chickens can be bought at costco or grocery stores and are very reasonable. You could serve it like that or cut it up and put it in ceasar salad along with a fruit platter.

Have fun.

I think the corn dogs or even hot dogs (all beef, all turkey, or all chicken are the same price as junky ones but a lot healthier) and mac n cheese are a great idea. For the adults I'd throw some burgers on the grill (husbands, partners, and parents are great at helping with the grill). Keep it simple. My dd just turned 3 and I'm 32 weeks pregnant with twins so I totally get the exhaustion side of things. At car races it is my understanding hot dogs, burgers and pizza are the foods of choice I'd stick with them for the party. They are simple and someone is always willing to work the grill for you.

I always make a trip to costco and get the turkey rollers, hummus and pita, and veggies & fruit. It is always a hit!

Salad and quiche, or salad and soup, sounds awesome. You can even, if you're still feeling lousy, just pick them up from WF. <Laughing> Sometimes it's worth the extra $ to just not have One. More. Thing. To. Do. Especially when you're sick.

Their giant salads are fantastic, and you can just pop them into the fridge...and then toss them in a bowl before your guests arrive. Haven't had their premade just-heat-em-up quiches, but they're right there next to the salads...and soup is easy, just a couple big containers. I'd reccomend just getting one or two kinds though.

Anyhow...your menu sounds great. I'd LOVE to be fed real food at a childrens b-day. It doesn't happen that often.

Something we usually do, btw, is to send out the menu via email to our guests ahead of time, and let them know that they are MORE then welcome to bring any kind of special food or drink for their child either in addition to the menu or instead of. That way, picky eaters get fed, and picky parents are happy.

Last time I made homemade ranch and then put out foods that go, like chicken wings, vegis, and chips. For the kids I did pizza and hotdogs, easy and everyone was happy. It is a party, healthy should not be the main concern, fun should be! It only comes once a year.

How about burgers on the grill? ~ Bigger ones for the adults and little ones for the kiddos. Goes great with mac & cheese!! You could then just get a veggie tray from WF while you are there getting the cake. Good luck!