Need Opinion on 3 Yr Old B-day Party. to Serve Lunch or Not???

I would suggest maybe a chip bowl or fruit bowl like the other mom suggested. I think 30 minutes is going to be a long time for just cake and the kids may want something else. Or perhaps you could pass out a goodie bag at that time with cheapy things from the dollar store in them and maybe a few candies. That should occupy the time and give them something to do, but not lunch and perhaps more inexpensive than pizza.

I know this party probably took place months ago, but I wanted to chime in too. Maybe it's a regional thing, but here in the South (I live in Dallas), parents would absolutely NOT expect pizza or any other meal at a party that starts at 2pm. I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old and we probably attend at least 2 parties a month between playgroups, church friends, and preschool classmates. A party that runs from 10 to 12 might include a light lunch (like pizza), or certainly a party that starts at 11, 12, 4 or 5 would include a meal, but a mid-afternoon party? No! Kids barely even eat when they're at a party even if it IS meal time, so why spend money on food that's going to go to waste? Just my 2 cents.

I know this is an old request, but want to respond for other users...here is my take.
It is your party and have a right to do whatever you can possibly handle financially and in some ways mentally. Parties are work.
However, as a mother I have noticed a lot of parties are moving towards just fruit trays or just cake and juice box. I think it really depends on the people you are inviting. If it's more just school friends and the party place is strict limtied timing then doing the aforementioned would be okay, but PLEASE be sure to put on the invitation that cake/juice or light snack only to be served. This way parents know ahead of time to feed their children and to not have expectations for food. It's a courtesy.

If you have lots of kids, family and close friends then find a way to feed your guests appropriately. Pizza, hot dogs, burgers are fairly inexpensive. Me personally, I always have a great spread...including sides, different drinks and plenty of food. One thing I've noticed sometimes hosts do not account for enough food and kids get left out. My true thought is if you are hosting these guests and it's a party that people took the time to come to and bring a thoughtful gift then you can take the time to figure out a descent meal. I know I don't appreciate the "snack" parties, especially when it's at a person's home.

In M.'s case, pizza or small sandwich bites with chips would be appropriate. Kids can eat the cake while your child opens presents. This way it keeps kids sitting down instead of getting in your child's gifts.

Hi M.,
We just went to a 4 year old's birthday party at the Little Gym (in Twinsburg) a few weeks ago. first of all, it was a ton of fun...so great choice! the party started at 3 and the mom did serve pizza. (Pizza Pan--also in Twinsburg--sells pizza at a buy one, get two free pick-up price) The kids did alot of running and bouncing, so they were hungry and very thirsty at 4:00 when we got into the party room.
I think if you don't serve a lunch, have a good snack for them, because they'll expend alot of energy during the first hour.
I hope that was helpful. I just wanted to tell you about our experience...
Good luck w/ the party!
M.

I totally agree with you. It is not lunchtime and I think it is ridiculous that parennts will think that you are going to give them lunch. Plus kids at parties rarely eat much anyway. I woould suggest bringing fruit though. Some cut up grapes, watermelon, or somehting will be good for the kids who do not like cake (more than you can imagine).

The only food that is EXPECTED at a birthday party is CAKE, and of course, something to drink with the cake! For this reason, if you do not wish to serve a meal or snacks, then simply schedule the time of your party so that it is NOT during the traditional meal hours (i.e. 12:00pm or 5:00pm). At noon, yes, people would expect something to eat in addition to cake (since the party would then be during lunch time). However, who would expect "lunch" at 3:00 in the afternoon?

I have always started birthday parties for my kids after lunch time, say in the neighborhood of 1:00 or 3:00pm. This gives guests a chance to eat lunch before coming to the party. Personally, I like to serve some easy snacks. We just recently did a birthday party for my daughter where I served the traditional chips and dip as well as a fruit tray, cheese and crackers, and punch. I like to offer healthy foods to balance out all the sugar! (Plus, I always have at least one or two friends who are watching their weight, and I know they appreciate a healthier alternative.)

Another thing to keep in mind- have you ever noticed that some birthday parties seem to drag on for endless HOURS? I have found that putting specific times on the invitations helps with this problem. For example, under time I would put 3:00-4:30pm. This gently tells guests when the party is expected to END. Also, remember to keep things moving! I know when I am at a party, I don’t want to stand around for an hour waiting for things to get started. I also don’t want to be there for 3 hours!

My birthday party itinerary goes something like this- the first 30 minutes guests arrive and I welcome them and show them where the snacks are and invite them to have something to eat. Then we do the birthday cake and sing happy birthday. By the time the cake is cut and served, and everybody has had a piece of cake, I am already about an hour into the birthday party. (These things always take longer than we anticipate!) Now it is time to open presents.

3:00-3:30 Guests arrive and eat snacks
3:30 Birthday cake and sing happy birthday/eat cake
4:00-4:30 Open presents
4:30 It is getting close to dinner time,
so people should start leaving

You may have noticed that I did not mention PARTY FAVORS or GAMES. I do not feel that it is necessary to spend a small fortune on party favors. When you go to a birthday party, do you expect to leave with a bunch of stuff? I certainly don’t! (Instead, I use the money for serving some snacks.) As far as the games go, I am not into planning a bunch of games. It is too much work and just adds stress- trying to get a bunch of kids to cooperate and take turns, ugh! Instead, I have my daughter bring plenty of toys into the living room before the party starts and the children have lots of fun doing “free play” with her toys. (Have you ever noticed how much your child enjoys going to a friend’s house and playing with THEIR toys?) If your child is young enough to have a toy box, just bring the toy box into the living room with the toys that you want guests to be able to play with.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Just another idea to throw in...my daughter went to a birthday tea party and they served sliced apples & pears, and bought the uncrustables (PBJs) from the market and sliced them in halves. Then followed with cupcakes for dessert...not too messy and seemed to hit the spot with all the girls.

But honestly, looking at your time frame, you really don't need to serve anything but the cake and maybe ice cream. 30 minutes isn't really time to do very much at all. Pity that's all the time you get...most of that will be spent just unwrapping the presents. Best of luck to you.

What a thoughtful friend you are, M.---- and NO you don't want to serve lunch at 3 --- your plans make perfect use of the space, and time . My daughter and my two precious grandchildren ( they all lived with me until 18 months ago -- so I've been more than lonely) moved to Ohio in Sept. of 08--- and are in the process of moving back.
LONG story- but oh I'll be so glad to see them again- . Ohio is beautiful - but so different in many ways from Seattle. Blessings, -- enjoy.There are so many incredible things to see and do there --- The Great Lakes - and Amish country and -- I hope you all love it.

Blessings,
J.
aka- Old Mom

I have twin grandson's who turned 3 in
November. Instead of cake they had cupcakes. Save from cutting cake and the portions are just right. It would save on your time for opening presents. Put candle on the one cup cake for your child and all can sing happy birthday and your child will feel very special.

I'm not sure if you are talking The Little Gym or Turle's but I've been to parties (multiple) at both and have always been served pizza. I know at Little Gym, it can be a part of the package.
I have 2 kids and next month they will be 3 and 9, so I've thrown plenty of parties and been to a TON and have never been to a party at any time of day that food wasn't served. That's just something guests come to expect when coming to a party. They take time out of their day and schedule, buy your child a gift and usually expect some sort of meal (whether small like just pizza or a large ordeal) in return. As far as the time frame, most places choose that for you. I know when I booked mine at Fun-n-Stuff, they gave me time options, all in the middle of the afternoon.
We are having two parties next month. One at Fun-n-Stuff in Macedonia and having pizza. The kids will be running around and playing in this heat, it never occured to me not to feed them. The other at our home (for the 3 yr old) with ride ons, a kid's pool, sprinkler and tons of games with a full menu (since parents will be staying too).
I seem to be the minority but I figured you'd want input for someone who's "been there-done that" many times.

Hello, personally I think that you should serve hot dogs or something small for the kids because many parents expect that when there is a party there will be food for the kids. I have 4 children and sometimes I surely didn't feel like cooking or sometimes may have not wanted to splurge BUT I would buy hot dogs and cheese puffs or chip and lil juice boxes or pizza and that would be that. And if you are not serving lunch just mention it to the parents so that thet can feed the kids before they come. Just my opinion

I also wanted to add you made a great decision. I am a bit of a stickler for healthy food so it will be good to have some healthy choices with the fruit and cheese instead of more processed snacks like goldfish and pretzel.

I know this is late, but I own a gymnastics school and we do parties on the weekends. At that time, it is not only not necessary, but a good idea NOT to do lunch. A snack at the most (pretzels, goldfish or animal crackers) followed by cake or cupcakes is plenty. We have one party time that the kids do their 1/2 hour at noon and even then, most do not eat pizza or whatever is served. Have fun and take and it easy. These types of parties are meant to alleviate the stress on the parents. I have seen way to many parties overthought when all they care about is the gym part and the mayby the goody bag.

PS_ If you haven't sent out the invitations, you can write..."Snacks and Cake will be served". I have seen that come back on our invitation they have to hand in. When people are serving pizza, they usually write "pizza and cake".

Hi M.,
Absolutely fine to not serve more than cake. That's why you have the party at 2:00 and not at lunchtime 12:00. Its perfectly fine. We have been to plenty of parties that didn't have food unless they were at lunchtime.
Have fun

Some people have mentioned time for opening gifts in their response. We go to many birthday parties and it is seems to be the norm to wait until guests leave to open birthday gifts and even take them home to open. It saves on the stress of other kids "helping" or getting upset. Definitely do not serve lunch at mid-day to answer the question.