Pajama party food ideas...

[ge0rgette2]

My DD is having a birthday pajama party - she's going to be 9.

I know how picky some children can be regarding food at parties, well some of our group are, I was thinking since it's PJ's I'd do breakfast foods..

I was thinking:

OJ
Milk - chocolate and White
Juice boxes

Mini - muffins
Mini Bagels with butter and/or cream cheese
Mini cereal boxes

Poptarts, granola bars, fruit roll ups

Yogurts or Danimal yogurt drinks

Also, chips, pretzels and some candy dishes on the counter..

Party is from 4-8pm

Also, was thinking cupcakes instead of cake... she likes cupcakes better.

What do you think I should add?
I sorta feel bad that it's breakfast foods for dinner...

I know we do it from time to time at here at home and we love it!

 

[cornflake]

Even if it's a party and basically pre-dinnerish, I'd put in SOMETHING healthful and not sugar, for kids who want something more healthful or substantial.

Maybe a small crudite tray (I know it's not 'breakfast' but neither are the pretzels and candy...) with some cheese and crackers? Also maybe some berries and I'd make sure a couple of the cereal options were better/plainer?

 

[ge0rgette2]

Yes, sorry missed that - I was putting out some fruits too with the yogurt and granola...

Cereals won't be sugary, and chips are for movie/karaoke time.

 

[cornflake]

I'd still do something not sugar, like crudites or some cheese cubes or ... something. It just reads as all sugar (except the cereals - I didn't know you could get non-sugary in little boxes, that's cool) - like I said I understand it's a party, not trying to throw a blanket on the fun, just some kids might want something more healthful in addition.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

That's a lot of stuff but not a lot of substance kwim? I'd maybe skip the cereal, pop tarts, fruit roll ups and granola bars and either do a big tray of scrambled eggs or a strata or a french toast casserole instead. That way something hot and filling with some bagels and muffins and a fresh fruit tray. Then you can have the snacks and treats.

 

[ge0rgette2]

I have a waffle maker, was thinking that too --- make belgium waffles, keep them hot and then have them decorate them, with fruit, etc...

I knix the roll ups and poptarts...

 

[cornflake]

That'd be fun but same issue; I'd still add something healthful, substantial, nonsugar for kids who want to eat healthier.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

I have a waffle maker, was thinking that too --- make belgium waffles, keep them hot and then have them decorate them, with fruit, etc...

I knix the roll ups and poptarts...

That would be a good idea. It's ok that it's breakfast but for me Id' still want it to be a "meal" not one big snack session - kwim?

The waffles would be fun and interactive etc. Also an idea we made smoothies with my DD and her friends a few months ago. They loved that. We had a lot of fresh and a few frozen fruits, yogurt, ice, OJ etc and they were making their own concoctions and sharing with each other. Some were hits others not... but they were healthy and they had a blast.

 

[Owlpost23]

Breakfast pizza!

 

[Hannathy]

I think it sounds fine just the way it is!

It is more than filling enough for 1 meal. If they are hungry after they will be home by 8:30 and can eat then. Kids almost always come home form parties and want more to eat because they are usually having too much fun to eat all they should. And I like the fact that everything is ready and you don't have to be cooking while tending to a party with kids.

And again it is a party! It never hurt anyone to eat what they want for 1 meal.

I think it is a cute idea if you didn't want to do an actual sleepover.

Make sure you have a white pillow case with permanent markers so the guests can sign and decorate it for the birthday girl (fits with the sleepover theme)

 

[badblackpug]

I think it sounds fine just the way it is!

It is more than filling enough for 1 meal. If they are hungry after they will be home by 8:30 and can eat then. Kids almost always come home form parties and want more to eat because they are usually having too much fun to eat all they should. And I like the fact that everything is ready and you don't have to be cooking while tending to a party with kids.

And again it is a party! It never hurt anyone to eat what they want for 1 meal.

I think it is a cute idea if you didn't want to do an actual sleepover.

Make sure you have a white pillow case with permanent markers so the guests can sign and decorate it for the birthday girl (fits with the sleepover theme)

I was thinking the same thing. 9 year old's aren't thinking about eating healthy at a party. ...but, honestly, I would just order pizza.

 

[ge0rgette2]

I think it sounds fine just the way it is!

It is more than filling enough for 1 meal. If they are hungry after they will be home by 8:30 and can eat then. Kids almost always come home form parties and want more to eat because they are usually having too much fun to eat all they should. And I like the fact that everything is ready and you don't have to be cooking while tending to a party with kids.

And again it is a party! It never hurt anyone to eat what they want for 1 meal.

I think it is a cute idea if you didn't want to do an actual sleepover.

Make sure you have a white pillow case with permanent markers so the guests can sign and decorate it for the birthday girl (fits with the sleepover theme)

Was doing that ir tote bags

That would be a good idea. It's ok that it's breakfast but for me Id' still want it to be a "meal" not one big snack session - kwim?

The waffles would be fun and interactive etc. Also an idea we made smoothies with my DD and her friends a few months ago. They loved that. We had a lot of fresh and a few frozen fruits, yogurt, ice, OJ etc and they were making their own concoctions and sharing with each other. Some were hits others not... but they were healthy and they had a blast.

It's a party for 8-9year olds, so I'm going to offer many things.

I was thinking the same thing. 9 year old's aren't thinking about eating healthy at a party. ...but, honestly, I would just order pizza.

good idea!!

They aren't thinking healthy and I'm sure the parents aren't either.

When my DD goes to a bday party I know she's eating whatever they offer and never question what they have.

 

[scrapquitler]

That's a lot of stuff but not a lot of substance kwim? I'd maybe skip the cereal, pop tarts, fruit roll ups and granola bars and either do a big tray of scrambled eggs or a strata or a french toast casserole instead. That way something hot and filling with some bagels and muffins and a fresh fruit tray. Then you can have the snacks and treats.

Are you on pinterest?? If you are, search on "Pajama Party" I just looked really quickly and there are a lot of links to blogs with great ideas (not only for food, but for invites, decorations, favors, special cakes, games and activites, etc)

Here are two that looked cute:
http://calligraphyetc.typepad.com/calligraphy-etc-blog/2011/08/pancakes-pajamas-party.html

http://www.thoughtfullysimple.com/a-birthday-breakfast-party/

 

[spaceacewannabe]

That's a lot of stuff but not a lot of substance kwim? I'd maybe skip the cereal, pop tarts, fruit roll ups and granola bars and either do a big tray of scrambled eggs or a strata or a french toast casserole instead. That way something hot and filling with some bagels and muffins and a fresh fruit tray. Then you can have the snacks and treats.

This sounds like an improvement! I think you could cut out a good deal of what you had on your list and have fewer but more substantial stuff. All the convenience foods you listed might be great depending on the kids...in my area, though, it's a lot like what they get for school breakfast. That would make it read as less special for kids in my community.

I have a waffle maker, was thinking that too --- make belgium waffles, keep them hot and then have them decorate them, with fruit, etc...

I knix the roll ups and poptarts...

That would be a good idea. It's ok that it's breakfast but for me Id' still want it to be a "meal" not one big snack session - kwim?

The waffles would be fun and interactive etc. Also an idea we made smoothies with my DD and her friends a few months ago. They loved that. We had a lot of fresh and a few frozen fruits, yogurt, ice, OJ etc and they were making their own concoctions and sharing with each other. Some were hits others not... but they were healthy and they had a blast.

Both of these would be great---the Belgian waffles plus smoothies would make for a very special breakfast. You probably wouldn't even need much beyond that. I am not so concerned with the nutrition---it is a party---but you could even put ice cream on the waffles...

 

[ge0rgette2]

Are you on pinterest?? If you are, search on "Pajama Party" I just looked really quickly and there are a lot of links to blogs with great ideas (not only for food, but for invites, decorations, favors, special cakes, games and activites, etc)

Here are two that looked cute:
http://calligraphyetc.typepad.com/calligraphy-etc-blog/2011/08/pancakes-pajamas-party.html

http://www.thoughtfullysimple.com/a-birthday-breakfast-party/

I am in Pinterest. I will look.

This sounds like an improvement! I think you could cut out a good deal of what you had on your list and have fewer but more substantial stuff. All the convenience foods you listed might be great depending on the kids...in my area, though, it's a lot like what they get for school breakfast. That would make it read as less special for kids in my community.





Both of these would be great---the Belgian waffles plus smoothies would make for a very special breakfast. You probably wouldn't even need much beyond that. I am not so concerned with the nutrition---it is a party---but you could even put ice cream on the waffles...

My daughter doesnt get the above for school breakfasts.

And as PpS have said itis a party. I am offering fun and not having a health session

 

[2disneyboys]

humm..

I'd do, Pizza (either order in or make your own..whichever), Chips/Dip, Veggies/Dip, Cupcakes. This is the types of food I always had at pj parties/sleepovers.. easy to prepare and serve... I usually try & do a party punch of some sort that ties into the theme of the party and we have a water cooler also that usually has to be replaced several times during a party as everyone guzzles that water! I always have a bowel of fresh fruit out so the kids could also grab out of that if they wanted.

and easy ideal, if you want to stick w/ the breakfast food theme..(BTW..we LOVE breakfast for dinner in our house ) any easy crowd pleaser is:

make several loaves of bread (French toast). Cut each slice of bread into 4 triangles. Place in a Crockpot on low w/ the lid slightly offset to keep the French toast warm, but not moist (or you can keep warm in the oven). Have toppings on the side. A platter of scramble eggs or even make your own omelet station would be a good choice. We also make cheese grits (basically, you cook grits and add Velveeta cheese to it.. (hey, we are in the south alright!?) I"m shocked how many kids love cheese grits. either way, for parties, I prefer food that can be fully prepped or mostly prepped before the party so I can deal with the inevitable party crisis without having to be distracted by cooking during the party! Have Fun!

 

[Erin1700]

Pancakes and toppings would go great with the cereal, muffins, yogurt. Have fruit, whipped cream, choc chips and syrup.

 

[cornflake]

It is a party, but it'll probably serve as dinner for some kids and while yeah, it's just a one-off... I dunno, some kids do like healthier foods and I just would provide SOME alternative to just junk/sugar.

I know it's a party, but that it'll be dinner for some of the kids, like the OP said breakfast for dinner, I'd do something that's healthful, even a small option or two.

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

We did hot pretzels with cheese dip at my daughters party this year, they loved it!

Some sliced cantelope went over big as well. I made them waffle sundaes with bacon for breakfast.

 

[badblackpug]

I apologize, I misread.

When you said "pajama party" I just assumed a sleepover, for which, yes, I would just order pizza. Most kids love pizza.

I see that you are having a party to which kids will wear pajamas, but it is 4-8pm. I think, in all honesty, most of the parents will expect the kids to have a meal, since that is generally the hours that kids that age eat dinner.

I was thinking a "made to order" pancake thing? You could easily get the shake an pour pancakes, and the offer a variety of add ins, like sprinkles, chocolate chips, blueberries, bananas, etc, and maybe different flavor syrups and whipped cream.

I imagine you could do the same with waffles (and even top with ice cream as a PP said) but I've never made homemade waffles, so they seem like more work. (I toast a heck of an Eggo, though)

You could also make bacon and sausage, you could do a large amount at a time on a cookie sheet in the oven.

I would also offer donuts, and like you said milk and strawberry, and chocolate syrups to flavor. ..and orange juice.

If you really feel the need to offer something healthy a fruit tray would go well.