NBR Kids birthday party need opinions!

HeartLikeMine3

We are having DS's 3rd bday party Saturday at a jump place from 10am-noon. The place doesn't charge to bring finger foods/ cupcakes but does a 75$ outside charge to bring in food such as pizza or Chickfila. My plan was to make cute little fruit cups, meat/cheese/ veggie skewers with a cracker tray and do cupcakes. Is that acceptable or should we pay the fee and do a bigger meal? This place is already ridiculous with their fees so I was trying to avoid another one. There will be lots of parents staying to supervise their kids. Thanks 

alileecam

I don't think that the parents will be expecting a huge meal at that time-- I think you are fine with those options. If it was 12-2, I think you'd be more expected to provide a meal.

AmberLiz99

I think it's good, plenty of food. 3 year olds don't eat huge meals anyway most of the time, especially when distracted by playing. I would just say "snacks and cake will be served" on the invitations so that parents can plan ahead themselves. if they think their kids will need more. 

Goocran17

That sounds like plenty. In all honesty, cupcakes would be enough since the party is before lunch.

Bee112309

That sounds totally fine for a 10-12 party. I usually serve cupcakes, drinks, and a couple of light snacks when we do parties in that time frame, as it's pre-lunch.

HeartLikeMine3

Ok thanks ladies my husband was making me feel cheap but I'd rather have some healthier options than pizza or fried chicken and fries!! So glad I asked 

BPaisley

That's kind of like what we did this year. We have done pizza the last couple years, but it gets so expensive. This year I scheduled the party for 2:30 so it would be between meals and, like PP suggested, I wrote "snacks and cake will be served". We had a fruit platter, chocolates, big pretzel sticks, and goldfish. And then cake. It seemed to work. But, I may do pizza next time just cause I'm always so happy when I get fed at kids' parties haha!

xc1148

I feel like 10-12 is a subtle hint not to expect food haha. That's how my coworker planned his son's 2nd birthday. I think you are totally fine with snacks...the kids will be too busy playing and the parents will be glad for a break/social time. Have fun!

Emztron500

I just want to give you a shout out for having a 10-12 toddler party. I hate it when we get invited to afternoon parties. That's nap time, dangit!

almostpriceless

Emztron500 said:

I just want to give you a shout out for having a 10-12 toddler party. I hate it when we get invited to afternoon parties. That's nap time, dangit!

This!!

HeartLikeMine3

Emztron500 said:

I just want to give you a shout out for having a 10-12 toddler party. I hate it when we get invited to afternoon parties. That's nap time, dangit!

Haha yes that's the best part of my day! I second guess going to birthday parties if it means missing nap time. 

alitria

I think if you are done at noon, you don't need to serve lunch.  Also, if I fed my three year old fruit, crackers and cubes of meat and cheese, that would totally fill him up and count as lunch.  If you add that to cupcakes?  I think you're fine.  I wouldn't encourage overfeeding hot, wound up, sweaty preschoolers either as that might cause a whole different and much grosser problem. 

vulpini

I think you're fine for a 10-12 party.  You're not really expected to feed the parents, though it's a nice gesture.  The things you listed are plenty for 3 year olds and if the kids or parents want more for lunch, they can eat it after the party at home during normal lunch hours.  

BPaisley

Emztron500 said:

I just want to give you a shout out for having a 10-12 toddler party. I hate it when we get invited to afternoon parties. That's nap time, dangit!

I foolishly did 2:30 on Saturday, mostly cause I didn't want to feed people a meal and I didn't want to feel rushed in the morning. Never again! I screwed up my own 2 year old's nap and that evening was a complete disaster, with complete hormonal meltdown from me and the toddler... I really don't know what I was thinking.

vulpini

HeartLikeMine3 said:

Emztron500 said:

I just want to give you a shout out for having a 10-12 toddler party. I hate it when we get invited to afternoon parties. That's nap time, dangit!

Haha yes that's the best part of my day! I second guess going to birthday parties if it means missing nap time. 

Yeah, if we're invited to anything between 1 and about 3:30, we're not going.  I value my sanity too much to deal with nap-less days.

GinnyJ2012

Also a 10-12 bounce party will ensure awesome naps!