1st Birthday Menu HELP!

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Ok I'm stuck. I thought I had the menu planned for DS's 1st birthday and in reality...I planned an adult menu...Which isn't going to work for a young tikes palate...So, I need help!!!

Kid and adult friendly...(kids ranging from 9 months and up to 12 y/o) and budget savvy....

READY GO!

 

[BeckyEsq]

In my experience little kids don't really eat much at parties, they are too excited. They are more interested in the games, gift bags, gift opening and cake. The adults are the ones who will feel they had a good time depending on whether they liked the food! I usually have a mainly adults meal but then add a few kid-friendly things, like chicken nuggets, bowls of goldfish crackers, cut up grapes, and I always have a dessert table so there are some kind of cookies that the kids will love. Oh and I have some big drink dispensers I got at Sam's Club, and I make an easy punch, like Sprite mixed with raspberry lemonade. The kids love that and I end up with lots of left over juice boxes but the punch is empty. Hope that helps!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

thanks Becky...

I guess the part I'm having trouble with is WHAT to serve.

Our theme is The Lion King...Keeping that in mind here was my original menu
Originally, I was going to do mac & cheese (friend makes the best mac and cheese and has offered to do so) BBQ Pulled Pork (2 crockpots worth) Veggies & Dip... (a choking hazard...but easy)

Chicken nuggets could work for the kids...

Any other ideas?

 

[letsgoreds]

Add some cut up fruit, and call it a day. Kids RARELY eat much at birthday parties. Playing with other kids, especially at a party, big time trumps food. Mac and Cheese is as kid as it gets. No need for the nuggets...don't need something you need to time/watch/get in and out of a hot oven with little ones.

Sounds perfect to me!

Maybe some cheese and crackers and munchies before lunch is served...kiddos can munch on that for a meal as well.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Thank you!
It sounds like I'm over thinking things (shocker)
I just want him to have a great first birthday party...After all he only gets 1!

 

[honeydiane1953]

My DGD 's first birthday was held at a local park. We had picnic tables and it turned out great. We had Chic fil A nuggets and their lemonade. Of course ice cream and cake. Kids that age love Kraft mac n cheese. Goldfish would be great and though it sounds weird assorted dry cereal in small bowls. Have a great party!

 

[MSSANDRA]

You menu looks great for any age. If you make your pulled pork really spicy, maybe make one pot less so, and if you make a really fancy version of Mac & cheese, just pull some out before adding the "good" stuff. You could add a few par-boiled veggies if you really want to for the youngest toddlers and add a fruit platter as well.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

My DGD 's first birthday was held at a local park. We had picnic tables and it turned out great. We had Chic fil A nuggets and their lemonade. Of course ice cream and cake. Kids that age love Kraft mac n cheese. Goldfish would be great and though it sounds weird assorted dry cereal in small bowls. Have a great party!

I love the dry cereal idea! I was considering doing a 'baby buffet' since our youngest guests can range from 9 months to 21 months...and I wanted something that would be good for them just to grab and go...

You menu looks great for any age. If you make your pulled pork really spicy, maybe make one pot less so, and if you make a really fancy version of Mac & cheese, just pull some out before adding the "good" stuff. You could add a few par-boiled veggies if you really want to for the youngest toddlers and add a fruit platter as well.

My friend makes an awesome mac & cheese...and its pretty basic...but good! Definitely going to add a fruit platter...

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Thank you!
It sounds like I'm over thinking things (shocker)
I just want him to have a great first birthday party...After all he only gets 1!

Don't be concerned. He won't remember his first birthday. Your menu is fine.

 

[Kellydelly]

I would be catering the party more for the adults than the kids who are attending, like previous posters stated. I think your menu is fine, if kids don't like something they will just grab the snack food you put out . I would not go to the trouble of parboiling any veggies, a regular cold veggie tray is fine. I think I did a party sub with chips and side salads for my kids' first birthdays. Fruit is usually popular if you decide to do a fruit tray as a side .

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Don't be concerned. He won't remember his first birthday. Your menu is fine.

Ok so this might be more of a celebration for mommy and daddy saying "look we made it through the first year!!!"

I would be catering the party more for the adults than the kids who are attending, like previous posters stated. I think your menu is fine, if kids don't like something they will just grab the snack food you put out . I would not go to the trouble of parboiling any veggies, a regular cold veggie tray is fine. I think I did a party sub with chips and side salads for my kids' first birthdays. Fruit is usually popular if you decide to do a fruit tray as a side .

Id do subs...but I don't like them LOL

 

[tianna26]

spaghetti, chicken drumettes, hot dogs

 

[mjkacmom]

I've been to lots of kid/adult parties, and when there is a big toddler crowd, almost everyone here serves buttered noodles, and chicken nuggets, and there is usually a fruit salad. But be warned - feed the kids first! We had a Christening party, and the adults started decimating the trays of chicken fingers and buttered noodles!

 

[Priorityonecb]

I'd go with a kid friendly protein (chicken nuggets are good) and small fruit kabobs. I saw some really cutes with small cut fruit with mini marshmallows between each piece. It was adorable and perfectly sized for the little ones. I agree with everyone else, kids aren't going to eat much at a party. Mac and cheese, the nuggets, fruit salad or kabobs will be plenty!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

I've been to lots of kid/adult parties, and when there is a big toddler crowd, almost everyone here serves buttered noodles, and chicken nuggets, and there is usually a fruit salad. But be warned - feed the kids first! We had a Christening party, and the adults started decimating the trays of chicken fingers and buttered noodles!

Good ideas thanks!

I'd go with a kid friendly protein (chicken nuggets are good) and small fruit kabobs. I saw some really cutes with small cut fruit with mini marshmallows between each piece. It was adorable and perfectly sized for the little ones. I agree with everyone else, kids aren't going to eat much at a party. Mac and cheese, the nuggets, fruit salad or kabobs will be plenty!

Not sure the marshmallows are a good idea...my little man doesn't have enough teeth yet...but it sound fun and yummy!!!