Event Suppliers

Kids’ Birthday Party Food Ideas (age-by-age, allergy-smart & venue-friendly)

Planning party food doesn’t need to be fancy or stressful. This guide keeps it practical, allergy-aware, and easy to prep at the venue—with lunch vs snack options, seasonal menus, and plenty of swaps for common dietary needs in Australia.

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Quick planner: how much to make

• Snack-only party (≈2 hours, between meals): ~6–8 bite-size pieces per child + fruit + 1 small sweet.
• Lunch party (around midday): 1 main (half a wrap/roll or 1–2 mini sliders), 2–3 sides, fruit/veg, and 1 small sweet.
• Drinks: Water first. Add a few juice boxes (“poppers”). Offer DF milk if serving milkshakes/hot choc.
• Names on cups save waste and stop “mystery” cups.

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Allergy-smart planning (nut-free default; dairy/egg/gluten aware)

• Ask early with the RSVP and confirm on arrival.
• Label clearly (e.g., “Chicken pinwheels (GF/DF available) – contains wheat/soy”). Keep packets for reference.
• Separate utensils and set up a clearly signed “allergy-friendly” area.
• Popular swaps
  • Gluten-free: GF wraps/rolls, rice crackers, corn chips, baked potatoes, GF cupcakes.
  • Dairy-free: Hummus/guac, DF cheese, olive-oil dips, sorbet/icy poles.
  • Egg-free: Egg-free mayo, falafel, crumbed tenders without egg, egg-free cupcakes.
  • Vegetarian/Vegan: Falafel wraps, veggie sushi, pasta salad with herbed oil (GF if needed).
  • Halal/Kosher: Choose compliant sausages/meats; use gelatine-free jelly.
• Treat parity: Make allergy-friendly treats look like everyone else’s so no one feels singled out.

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Venue-friendly prep (little to no cooking)

• No-cook/low-cook heroes: Wrap pinwheels, mini rolls, grazing cups, fruit/veg cups, sushi, pre-baked mini pizzas (reheat), BBQ chipolatas (if permitted).
• Bring a mini kit: Chopping board, knife, tongs, wipes, gloves, rubbish bags, foil, cling wrap, zip bags, paper towel, permanent marker, spare serving spoons.
• Keep food safe: Use eskies and ice bricks; serve hot food straight from the oven/BBQ; swap platters so food isn’t sitting out too long.

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Age-by-age menus

Toddlers (1–3)

Soft, easy-grab, cut small; halve anything round.
Snacks: Banana mini muffins (GF option), soft rice cakes + avo, cheese/DF cheese sticks, quartered cherry tomatoes, steamed veggie sticks, fruit cups, jelly cups (GF/DF).
Lunch: Soft triangle sandwiches (vegemite/DF spread; chicken & avo; hummus & cucumber), tiny savoury muffins (egg-free version available), yoghurt pouches + coconut yoghurt option.

Preschool (4–5)

Fun shapes and bite-size.
Snacks: Wrap pinwheels (chicken & lettuce; cheese & salad; falafel & slaw), popcorn (air-popped), fruit “wands” on blunt skewers, pretzel sticks, fairy bread triangles (DF/GF batch).
Lunch: Mini meatballs (beef/chicken/lentil) with little flags (or no picks), corn cob halves, veggie sticks + hummus, mini pita pizzas (GF bases for some).

Early Primary (6–8)

A bit more variety.
Snacks: DIY grazing cups: crackers (GF option), carrot/cucumber sticks, cheese/DF cube, olives; nut-free trail mix (corn flakes, pretzels, seeds if allowed, sultanas, popcorn); icy poles/sorbet.
Lunch: Mini sausage sizzle (BBQ ok): chipolatas in half rolls + onion/jam (GF rolls); sushi platter (veg/chicken/tuna); pasta salad pots (herbed oil dressing; GF option).

Tweens (9–12)

Let them build it.
Snacks: “Build-a-cup” nachos: corn chips, salsa, DF cheese, black beans, corn, mild guac; fruit & yoghurt/DF yoghurt bar; donut bites (DF/egg-free batch).
Lunch: Slider station: shredded roast chicken or pulled jackfruit, slaw, pickles, DF mayo, small brioche/GF rolls; falafel wraps with lemon dressing (no tahini if sesame allergy).

Teens (13–15)

Fast service, bigger appetites.
Snacks: Loaded potato wedges (oven/air-fryer) with salsa & DF sour-cream; grazing cups; choc-dipped strawberries (DF dark chocolate).
Lunch: Pizza slabs (pre-ordered) with clearly marked GF/DF tray; burrito bowls: rice, beans, chicken/tofu, veg, with allergy-aware toppings in separate bowls.

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Lunch menus vs snack platters

Easy lunch menus to prep on site

Menu A (GF-friendly): Half-rolls with shredded chicken + lettuce (DF mayo), corn cob halves, fruit platter, mini cupcakes (small GF batch).
Menu B (Vegetarian-friendly): Falafel wrap pinwheels with lemon-herb dressing (no tahini), pasta salad cups (GF available), veggie sticks + hummus, jelly cups or lamington fingers (GF option).
Menu C (BBQ venues): Chipolatas in half rolls (GF rolls too), slaw cups, potato salad (egg-free mayo if needed), icy poles/fruit skewers.

Snack platters (mix & mingle)

Wholesome bites (grazing cups, veggie sticks + dip, fruit cups, rice-paper rolls) + a couple of “sometimes” treats (fairy bread bites, choc crackles, mini cookies). Pre-sliced fruit, supermarket roast chooks for quick sliders, and pre-made sushi save time.

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Seasonal menus (Aussie conditions)

Summer (hot day, outdoor park):

• Cold pinwheels, sushi, fruit & veg cups, corn chips + salsa, icy poles, watermelon wedges.
• Avoid mayo-heavy salads sitting out; keep everything in eskies and rotate platters.

Winter (indoor hall):

• Mini pies/sausage rolls (reheat on site), baked potato bar (foil-wrapped; DF cheese option), hot chocolate station (DF milk option), mandarins, warm banana bread (GF loaf available).

Wet-weather backup:

• Switch to more no-cook platters, bring extra table covers, use stackable snack boxes for easy indoor serving.

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Budget-friendly vs time-poor swaps

• Budget-friendly: DIY wraps (one large wrap makes 6–8 pinwheels), homemade popcorn, seasonal fruit, roast a couple of chooks for sliders, jelly cups you set yourself, bulk bake mini muffins.
• Time-poor: Pre-made sushi/platter boxes, bakery mini rolls, supermarket roast chickens, ready-cut veggie sticks, pre-iced cupcakes, hire a food truck or local caterer for mains.

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Drinks that work (and won’t cause chaos)

• Water jugs with fruit slices, or individual bottles.
• A few juice boxes (100% juice).
• Sugar-free cordial for big jugs.
• DF milk for hot choc/milkshakes.
• For adults: simple coffee/tea station or a local coffee cart.

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Easy mini recipes (venue-friendly)

No-nut “green” spread (pesto-style, 5 mins):
Blend 1 cup spinach + 1 cup basil + ½ lemon juice + 2–3 tbsp olive oil + pinch of salt + 1 tbsp parmesan or DF alternative. Spread on wraps with grated carrot and chicken or falafel.

Lemon-herb dressing (tahini-free):
Shake 3 tbsp olive oil + 1 tbsp lemon juice + pinch salt + dried oregano. Toss through coleslaw mix or drizzle in wraps.

Speedy pasta salad (GF optional):
Cook short pasta (or GF pasta). Toss with olive oil, sweet corn, diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, olives. Add DF feta or regular feta on the side.

Choc crackles (DF/GF):
Melt DF dark chocolate; mix with GF rice puffs + shredded coconut (omit if needed) + sultanas. Spoon into mini cases; set in the fridge/esky.

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Shopping list (for ~20 kids)

Mains & carbs

• 20 small rolls or 12 large wraps (makes ~60–90 pinwheels)
• 2 roast chickens (or 40 falafels)
• 2 family packs sushi (or DIY rice-paper rolls kit)
• 1 large slaw mix + dressing

Snacks & sides

• 2 cucumbers, 3 capsicums, 1kg carrots, cherry tomatoes
• 2 hummus tubs + 1 guacamole tub
• Rice crackers + corn chips (GF)
• Popcorn (2 big bags)
• 2kg seasonal fruit (watermelon, grapes, berries, mandarins)

Sweets

• 24 cupcakes (plus 6 GF/DF), 20 jelly cups, 1 pack mini choc bites

Drinks & disposables

• 24 water bottles or 2 jugs + cups, 12 juice boxes
• Napkins, plates, cutlery (consider compostable), name-label stickers
• Ice bricks, bin bags, wipes, hand sanitiser

Adjust up/down based on time of day and how active the games are.

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Set-up that saves time

• Flow: Sanitiser at the start → savouries → fruit → sweets → drinks at the end.
• Individual serve cups/boxes: Faster, tidier, safer for allergies.
• Colour code labels: e.g., green = GF, blue = DF, yellow = egg-free (use dots/stickers).
• Two-table strategy: One “Main” table and one “Refill” table behind it to rotate fresh platters.

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Lunch vs snack decision (quick matrix)

Party time	Kids’ age	Best choice	Why
10:00–12:00	4–8	Lunch + snacks	They’ll arrive hungry; serve savouries first.
13:30–15:30	6–10	Snack-heavy	Between meals; focus on fruit/veg + a small treat.
16:00–18:00	8–12	Light dinner	Sliders/pizza + fruit; end with cake.

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Classic Aussie favourites (with allergy-friendly twists)

• Sausage sizzle: Chipolatas, onion jam, GF rolls; keep sauces labelled (gluten/soy).
• Fairy bread: DF spread + GF bread batch for those who need it.
• Lamington fingers: Keep a separate wrapped GF/DF plate.
• Icy poles: Fruit-based sorbets are easy DF winners.

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Serving ideas kids love (and reduce mess)

• Grazing cups (cracker, veg, dip, cheese/DF).
• Snack cones (paper cones with popcorn/pretzels).
• Mini lunch boxes (half roll + fruit + veggie sticks).
• Fruit kebabs on blunt skewers or paddle pop sticks.

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Waste-smart & eco tips

• Choose compostable plates/cutlery if available.
• Use reusable jugs and name-label cups.
• Bring a leftovers box for families to take snacks home.
• Keep ice bricks instead of bagged ice where possible.

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Common hiccups (and easy fixes)

• No fridge at the venue: Pack extra eskies and rotate food; lean into no-cook menus.
• Windy park day: Use lidded containers and clip tablecloths.
• Mixed ages: Offer mini and regular portions; cut everything smaller than you think for little kids.
• Last-minute allergy info: Keep simple “safe” backups—rice crackers, fruit, veggie sticks, DF dip, GF rolls.

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When to bring in a supplier

Short on time, no kitchen, or big guest list? Consider:

• Kids’ party caterers & grazing (individual lunch boxes are brilliant)
• Food trucks (pizza, tacos, burgers)
• Ice-cream/gelato carts, fairy floss & popcorn
• Cake & cupcake makers (allergy-aware)
• Coffee carts (parents will love you)
• Party hire (trestles, bain-maries, esky hire, hand-wash stations)

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Sample run-sheet (2-hour party)

• T-60 min: Set tables, label cards, fill eskies, slice fruit/veg.
• T-30 min: Assemble wraps/pinwheels, plate snacks, set out drinks.
• Start: Open savouries.
• +45 min: Serve lunch mains or hot items.
• +75 min: Cake moment.
• +100 min: Hand out icy poles/fruit; start tidy pack-down.

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Final reminder

Keep it simple, label clearly, and plan one or two allergy-friendly versions of your favourites. Most kids want something tasty, easy to hold, and quick between games—that’s it. You’ve got this!