There’s nothing more fun than going to parties when you’re a child. From the decorations and the theme to the treat bags and the food, getting together with friends and family to celebrate special occasions is a surefire way to make lasting memories. For parents, catering for a children’s party can be fun, but it can also be stressful. If you’re planning an event at home, we’ve put together some top tips to help you rustle up a fuss-free feast.
Ask for information about dietary requirements
Before you start planning menus and ordering ingredients, it’s crucial to ask for information about dietary requirements and allergies. When you send invitations or message other parents, ask them to RSVP with details of allergies, intolerances and individual requirements. Once you know who you are catering for, this will help you to decide what to cook and which ingredients and cooking techniques to use.
Get your kids involved
If you’re organizing a party for your child, it’s a great idea to get them involved in menu planning. You can take inspiration from their favorite dishes or the theme of the event. Ask for suggestions and consider the meals and foods they love. You could also use other parties as inspiration or look for ideas in food magazines, blogs and social media. Having a theme makes it easier to choose colors and decorations and decide what types of dishes and drinks to serve. Popular ideas include TV and movie characters, sports and outdoor adventures, slumber parties, superheroes and animals. You can also use seasonal events, including the holidays and Halloween.
Decide what type of food to prepare
There’s a huge range of catering options to choose from nowadays. Popular party foods range from buffets and grazing boards to cake tables, canapes, sit-down dinners and picnics. For young kids, it’s best to opt for finger food and snacks and meals they can eat relatively quickly and easily without being stationed at a table for long periods. Picnics are ideal for outdoor gatherings and buffets and boards filled with finger food are perfect for indoor parties. Look online for a corn dog recipe, ideas for homemade nachos, pizzas and tacos and stock up on popcorn for a movie night or consider batch cooking hot meals or doing a barbecue for an overnight camping party.
Focus on presentation
Taste is important but presentation makes all the difference when it comes to catering for children. You want your tables to look the part. Decorate your home or garden and make sure you’ve got enough platters, plates and boards to display the food. Try to be creative and have fun. There’s an incredible range of recipes and ideas online for all kinds of parties. From banana ghosts and satsuma pumpkins for Halloween to beautiful birthday cakes and strawberry Santas and marshmallow snowmen for Christmas, you can create fabulous dishes, snacks and desserts for your kids and their friends.
Plan ahead
Planning is key when organizing any party, but it’s particularly beneficial when you’re about to be invaded by a group of energetic children. Create a menu, make sure you have easy access to all the recipes you need and figure out timings. Try to prepare as much as possible before the party starts. You can make desserts that need to chill the night before and rustle up cold starters, snacks and finger food before your guests arrive. Ideally, you want to have as many tasks as possible checked off your list by the time the gathering gets going.
Ask for help
Catering for groups can be time-consuming and stressful, especially if you’re trying to look after children and work at the same time as planning a party. If you’re chasing your tail, or you need to be in two places at once, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Friends and family members can help out with making food and pouring drinks, babysitting while you go to the grocery store, tidying and cleaning and getting the meal sorted. Lots of pairs of hands can save time and effort and ensure that you enjoy the party rather than spending all your time in the kitchen.
It’s really fun to plan parties for children but it can also be stressful. If you’re catering for kids, start planning early. Ask for information about dietary requirements, encourage your children to share ideas and suggestions and consider the theme. Search for recipes online and get inspiration for food presentation and decorations. Plan ahead, try to prepare as much as possible in advance and ask friends and family members to lend a hand.
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