What is the best food ideas at a kid's birthday party?

A bbq would be great, hot dogs and burgers..just remember to keep it simple. We fed everyone at our son's 1st b-day, I don't think I'll do it again, it was such a hassle and the clean up took forever. We didn't have that many people eiter. I decided that from now on I'll do a party with cake and ice cream only :). Have fun and don't stress about it too much, it'll be great!

For our daughter’s first birthday party (July 10) we grilled hot dogs and burgers. It was a lot of work. But we had a lot of people too. Plus with the burgers I had all the fixings to go with them. Then I had a bunch of salads, veggies, dips, etc.

This year I am thinking of doing homemade sloppy joes (which the family loves) and a few salads. Our theme this year is The Wiggles. So I am doing fruit salad, potato salad and spaghetti salad. And of course the dips and veggies. Then with the sloppy joes, it should be enough.

Keep is simple. I thought with the sloppy joes, it is made ahead of time and cooks in the slow cooker. So I don't have to worry about it when it's time to eat.

Also, think of things he likes to eat.

I've found that no matter what time a party is, people always come ready to eat! A BBQ is perfect for summer. For a great summer salad without a lot of effort, cut up a cucumber and toss with cherry tomatoes and Italian dressing - I make a Good Seasons packet w/ mostly red wine vinegar and water, and just a little oil - marinate for a few hours or overnight. Also tastes great tossed with pasta! To go with the Elmo theme (I did this for my daughter), you can decorate cupcakes or cookies with blue frosting and a Goldfish cracker - to make Dorothy in her bowl :)

The BBQ is a great idea for this time of year. Hot Dogs are going to be a big hit. Cut up fruit that can be eaten with little fingers... Keep it simple because really your son is to young to remember it.

Good Luck

R.

MY 3rd son just had his 1st birthday party. I kept it simple this year. I did hot dogs and chicken nuggets, individual bags of chips, fruit cups/applesauce, and drink boxes. I also prepared a salad and spinach dip for the adults. I was able to get a "pull apart" cake(cupcakes) from Kroger in the shape of curious george, they usually only need 24hr notice. Clean up was great. I had it outside. Don't overwhelm yourself, good luck.

HI H.
I like some nibbly things like chips and salsa, fruit salad, salad and pizza, some crazy vegan dish for me. But if the weather was nice I'd love to bbq! Grilled veggies are the best!
Have fun, A. H

If the party is at 1pm, people will probably expect lunch. Although I think 12-2pm is a better time frame for a luncheon. Just keep in mind your son's nap schedule since you'll want him to be awake during the party! A BBQ is a great idea. Keep it simple with burgers and dogs and all the fixin's. Offer fruits and veggies with dips, a bowl of chips, corn on the cob, and ice cream & Elmo cupcakes for dessert. Serve lemonade and iced tea. For an "Elmo BBQ" theme, decorate using red & white tableclothes, lots of baskets for serving, and Elmo balloons. Give the b-day boy a mini cowboy hat for photo ops and send little guests home with Dollar Store squirt guns, plastic Elmo or barnyard animals wrapped up in bandannas with balloons as favors. Check the internet for...

Elmo cupcakes: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninotchkab/1429193332/

More barnyard theme ideas: http://www.birthdaypartyideas.com/html/barnyard_party.html

Fruit dip recipes:
http://www.greatpartyrecipes.com/fruitdiprecipes.html

My sons bday is the 22nd of june. We are having hia party at 4(after his nap) and we are also doing a bbq. We are havn with the hambugers an hot dogs: potaote salad, pasta salad, taco salad and chips n dip. And of course cake an ice cream! We are doing a pinanta for all the kids. Have fun an good luck!

Some places make cupcake "cakes" where they put all the cupcakes together in a shape and then decorate. Perhaps you could get an Elmo one. That way your son's share of his birthday cake will be a little easier to clean up when he smears it all over, lol. I'd say a bbq sounds good, maybe some kind of pasta or potato salad, chips, veggie tray, etc. Just put on the invitations "Lunch will be served" so people bring thier appatites. Do try to inlcude some foods your son likes as well.