1. Prepare bite-sized portions
Mini sandwiches, cubes of cheese, small pastries or tortilla rolls can be more practical than one large dish. The children can take a piece and then carry on playing.
2. Put some fruit on the table too
A bowl of colourful fruit usually disappears surprisingly quickly. Strawberries, bananas, mandarins, blueberries or apple cut into smaller pieces are a simple choice, and something fresh is welcome alongside all the sweets.
3. Do not overdo the sweets
You do not necessarily need five more desserts next to the cake. If you would like something extra, a few mini muffins, cupcakes or decorated biscuits are more than enough – and they look good on the table too.
4. Do not forget the drinks
Water should always be easy to reach, especially during a lively party. Lemonade or fruit juice can go alongside it. Marking the children's cups with their names can be practical, so you do not have to fetch a new one every twenty minutes.
5. Ask about food sensitivities in advance
When sending the invitations, it is worth asking the parents whether any of the children have a food allergy or follow a special diet. That way you have time to prepare an alternative they can safely choose from.
It is not the size of the buffet that matters
A children's party does not need a huge spread. A few well-chosen savoury bites, some fruit, something to drink and the long-awaited birthday cake are usually more than enough.
And if you would rather leave the cake and the sweets to a professional, in MiniParty's Treats category you can browse cake makers and other providers offering birthday treats.
What to put on the birthday table for children? Simple ideas beyond the cake
The cake is usually the star of the birthday table, but the group will certainly get hungry before and after it. There is no need to prepare six different dishes, though: at a children's party it is often the simple, easy-to-grab bites that work best.
It is worth choosing food that is easy to eat while playing, does not need a formal table setting, and stands a good chance of being finished by children with different tastes.