My daughters second birthday is in a couple of weeks, and I need some food ideas. I'm having the party in the afternoon at a splashpad. I don't want to do a meal, since we're really only going to have a picnic table or two at the splashpad. I'm going to have cake or cupcakes, but probably not ice cream since it will melt. The only thing I can think of that would be easy is some kind of fresh fruit plate, but that's so boring! So, I'm looking for ideas for food that will be easy to transport, and not have to be kept very cold or very hot.
Uuuuggh! I thought that not having the party at my house would be easier, but it's turning into a hassle! Thank you for any suggestions you may have!
I LOVE the fruit kabob idea, and the chocolate chip cookies instead of cake! Thanks so much for the great ideas, keep them coming!
I would just grab a bunch of bags of chips, some fruit and some veggies. As long as it's not close to lunch time, you shouldn't have to provide more than that. If it's close to lunch, you should probably consider serving something more substantial.
How about pigs in a blanket? Trust me kids will eat them hot or cold. veggie tray, crackers & maybe cheese in a cooler, fruit tray of course, peanut butter and jelly is always a hit (if no allergies)
make the fruit a little more interesting by doing fruit kabobs. they sell wooden skewers at the party stores. you can do stuff that won't melt or wither in the heat. (grapes, pinapple, berries, canalope etc) and not sure how hot it is by you but you might want to consider doing a giant chocolate chip cookie and then smaller ones rather than a big cake that the frosting will melt on. good luck
Great idea, CM! Look into renting a snow cone machine, it would make your life a lot easier.
I thought this recipe for fruit and cheese kabobs looked perfect for kids:
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/cheese-fruit-kabobs-5...
I would lay ice out over a tray and put some saran wrap on it and then lay the kabobs over the wrap to keep them cool. Kind of a hassle, I know, but hopefully the kids would eat them quickly!! Good luck!
Fruit and veggie plate.
Deli Meat, sliced cheese and mini hard rolls for sandwiches.
Pasta Salad that isn't mayo based.
Just keep the deli meat and sliced cheese in a cooler and let people make them as they want it.
Check out sone ideas at www.tastefullysimple.com/web/jhood. The food us easy & there are so many choices & ideas!
Fruit doesn't have to be boring...you could make a watermelon bowl and put the fruit in it. I'm sure there are lots of fruit decorating ideas on the web.
Have you thought about a snow cone maker? I know it's probably a bit of work, but the kids would love it on a hot day.
I hope the party is great!
If you're going to have a bunch of toddlers and young children running around, I'm not sure I'd want to give them sticks (with the kabobs). If the party is small and well-supervised, it would obviously be fine, but I could see lots of danger there. ;-)
I don't think a fruit/veggie tray is boring at all. It's good, easy to nibble, and shouldn't go bad quickly outside. Almost every party we go to that doesn't just involve treats has a fruit and/or veggie tray.
How about some pita bread with mayo or hummus and some ham and cheese added to it. It would keep well inside a cooler with ice. The fruit platter is also a great idea. You can also do chips and dip. Keep it simple - the kids are going to have the most fun playing in the water and eating cake! :)
what about fruit pops, make your own or buy pre-made. If you are going to have a cooler, just put them in it first and thrown ice over top, they will stay frozen enough for a couple hours and by then, the kids will want something cold. Can you make bite size sandwhiches ahead of time (whole sandwhich cut into 4's) ham n cheese, pb&j, maybe cucumber and cream cheese? They can grab one, eat in 3 bites and be off for more water fun. ooh - frozen bananas.....sure there has to be a recipe/direction on freezing them, maybe dip in chocolate....YUM! Also remember to keep lots of water/fluids handy.
Cheese and crackers. Pretzels. Fruit plate actually sounds good to me; veggies also. Cheerios for the toddlers. Lots of water, juice, maybe iced tea for grown-ups. Someone suggested popsicles--good idea!
Have fun!
K. Z.
