Food for a Party

Updated on April 16, 2015
M.F. asks from Cleveland, TX
23 answers

I was thinking of having pulled pork made in a crockpot for pork sandwiches for my daughter's 4th birthday party. I would have probably chips and fruit and or veggies and cake. I think I would make some PB&J for the kiddos. What would you think about going to a kids birthday party with this to eat? Also any good recipes as I don't even like anything but chicken.
Just to add there will be mostly adults(family) and all her friend's parents are my friends too so they will all be staying.

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So What Happened?

Thanks for the replies. I thought about pork cause I think most people love pulled pork and I can just throw it in the crock pot and no one has to worry about cooking. I can eat fruit and veggies so I am not worried about myself. We have done BBQ but my husband would have to be workin the grill so I thought this would be easier:)

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O.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

ETA: lol at the response that say this is a lot of work. Pulled pork in a crockpot is about the easiest thing to make!

Sounds delicious.
I always add about 3/4-1 cup of apricot preserves to the bbq sauce. Soooooo yummy! And easy.
Just remember to drain the liquid out of crock pot before you shred & add bbq sauce.
Also remove any large fat pieces at that time.

3 moms found this helpful
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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

You can use chicken instead of pork, just cook it in the slo-cooker when done shred it and add whatever sauce you want.

I agree on the PB&J sandwiches, better ask about nut allergies before serving.

2 moms found this helpful

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M.H.

answers from Dallas on

Why are you making something you don't like yourself?

Anyway, it sounds fine but like a lot of work (I'm work-averse when it comes to entertaining).

If we were doing sandwiches, I would likely make sandwiches for everyone and just give a choice of ham & cheese or PB & J. Adults could add their own condiments.

Otherwise, My husband BBQs at parties and we serve hotdogs or sliders (mini-burgers). It's BBQ weather in Texas :)

6 moms found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

In our family everyone is invited to young children's parties. the kids the parents etc..

We did a cook out with burgers and hot dogs. Another time fried chicken, I ordered it chicken legs and chicken breast. Another time homemade pizzas.
I always had fresh vegetable trays with homemade ranch dip, fresh fruit / or sliced watermelon platters. A big cake and fruit punch..

4 moms found this helpful
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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

Why can't the kids eat pulled pork too? At four, mine ate whatever I was eating.

2 moms found this helpful

D.B.

answers from Boston on

Are you positive that everyone eats pork? Pulled pork is very popular but you have to be sure everyone eats it. And PB&J - you have to be sure that nobody has a peanut allergy. But if these are all good friends and family, you probably know about most, if not all, of them. The sandwiches can be a little messy to eat, and PB&J can be as well - so be sure you have people on hand to help you by picking up plates and so on.

Are you looking for pulled pork recipes, or recipes for other options? I couldn't tell from your question but since you say you don't like anything but chicken, are you looking for a chicken recipe you can enjoy, or just trying to do something for your guests? I just catered a big party for about 30 people so I went through a bunch of recipe options. Everything I make can be done ahead of time if that helps. How many people are you expecting? You definitely want things that can keep over time so people can serve themselves. If you're going to be running party games or kiddy activities, you want something low maintenance. I do my own chicken nuggets that are healthier and easy to do ahead.

I would cut the sandwiches in quarters and take the crusts off the bread - you know how kids are! Or you can get one of those bread cutters (like a giant cookie cutter) to make them in a fun shape.

You could also do cupcakes instead of a cake - 4 year olds aren't so good with forks. People put them on those cupcake stands or just on a platter. We did a kids' party with cupcakes arranged in a wavy line like a caterpillar, with different candies as those caterpillar "bumps" and shoestring licorice as the legs and antennas. For 4 year olds, I would do the mini-cupcakes and those who are hungry can have more than 1. Less waste.

2 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

It's just a lot easier to have pizzas delivered.
Kids eat it and so do the parents.
There's no prep work for you and you toss out boxes/paper plates for clean up.
Leftovers can be given away or you put it away for later in zip lock bags.
Also I've never met anyone allergic to pizza whereas you may not know if any of your daughters friends have any nut allergies.

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D.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I don't see why you need the PB&Js. Why can't the kids just eat what you are serving?

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V.B.

answers from Jacksonville on

Is this party for her friends, or for family? Honestly? If my 4 year old was going to a birthday party for another 4 year old... I wouldn't expect to stay for the party.. so you wouldn't need to provide food for me. Just kid appropriate things (if you are having it at meal time, if not, then just snacks or even just cake/ice cream is absolutely fine).

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D.D.

answers from New York on

Sounds great! What day is the party cuz I love pulled pork. lol

1 mom found this helpful
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P.K.

answers from New York on

It may be easy to make but I do not think 4 year olds would enjoy it. Make sandwiches or Mac n cheese, chicken nuggets. Kids food for a kids party works best.

1 mom found this helpful

S.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

If you only like chicken then why not do pulled chicken instead of pulled pork?

1 mom found this helpful
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A.L.

answers from Las Vegas on

I like lots of veggies whenever I eat.. For me :) grilled asparagus or other veggies ..could be steamed or roasted. I tend to ALWAYS go for a salad IF there is one as does my son... I definitely like the fruit idea too... even as part of dessert .. this way, people have a healthier alternative if they don't want cake.. whenever I have served it at my house, more than half the people DO take the fruit and ... some take both the cake and fruit :)
happy birthday to your daughter!! have fun !!

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M.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

This is what we have at our family reunion and it works out great. One person makes the pulled pork in advance, and then we just heat hotdogs for the kids. And we have fruit salad as the side, plus a dessert.

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M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

For a 4 year old birthday party I would put out more snack type foods (fruit tray, veggie tray, chips, pigs in a blanket, pizza rolls, etc) and skip the big meal. Unless the party is over a meal time and then I would do pizza. It's actually how we always do parties.

We have also don't the BBQ type party with burgers, dogs, chicken, ribs, etc. Or taco bars are fun for my kids, but they are a little older than 4.

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M.G.

answers from Atlanta on

I don't like pulled pork which is made from pork butt which is a very fatty pork roast. But since you like chicken, I think I would make chicken nuggets or tenderloins in the oven. Most kids love them and it would work for the parents as well. I also liked the hot dog suggestion from a few others. Hope your party turns out well.

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E.T.

answers from Rochester on

Do pulled chicken. Just use chicken instead of pork.

L.L.

answers from Dover on

Instead of PB&J (unless you know they love it and/or there are no allergies) I would do hotdogs in another crockpot instead.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I was wondering why you were fixing a meal for a bunch of strangers kids and why such an adult meal....then I finished the post.

If I were coming to your party I'd think that was awesome.

K.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I made this for our 4-yo's birthday party in December. Did 2 big crockpots and left out the crushed red pepper. It was delicious and easy. Made it the day before and just reheated the day of the party.

http://www.justgetoffyourbuttandbake.com/sweet-baby-rays-...

Even the picky eater older kids ate it.

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❤.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I think it's fine for the adults (kids thinks it's spicey).
Just be sure to have enought.
Can serve w/coleslaw, corn on the cobb, potato salad

For the kiddos PB&J sounds ok but not everyone likes that plus lots of kids have peanut allergies so we always have pizza, too. Pepperoni & just cheese. Then lots of chips, dips, goldfish, veggies & Ranch. You can
add chicken nuggets & Ranch, too.

The key is to have enough food, a bit of variety & kid friendly food.
Have fun!

C.V.

answers from Columbia on

I'd do snacky finger foods. Fruit and veggie trays, cheese and crackers, little smokies, hot dogs, pizza rolls...stuff that little kids can pick up easily and eat.

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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

When we have kid parties we often order a tray of chicken nuggets from Chick FIL A as the entree. (Adults love these too) Pizza would be another good option to have with fruit and vegetable trays along with chips.

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