Raising Kids Money Birthday Party Food Ideas That Are Hassle-Free and Budget-Friendly Struggling to come up with a menu for your kid's celebration? Here are birthday party food ideas that will please guests and keep your budget under control. By Mia Taylor and Kate Kelly Updated on April 17, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Monkey Business Images/shutterstock.com Good company, fun, entertaining games, and plenty of presents are the key elements at children's birthday parties, right? But there's another component that's essential to a successful gathering, no matter what the age of the guest: the birthday party food. Since feeding a crowd on a budget can be tough, we've rounded up fuss-free and affordable birthday party food ideas—delicious meals, snacks, and desserts that are sure to please children and parents alike, without upsetting your wallet. Birthday Party Food Ideas for Adults Your baby's first year—and yours as a parent—is a milestone worthy of a celebration. Many of your littlest guests won't be too interested in the spread, making this a great chance to brainstorm birthday party food ideas for adults (enjoy it while you can). Here are some crowd-pleasing ideas: Baked potato barBarbecue sandwichesDeviled eggsGrilled sausagesHamburgersJalapeño poppersLoaded nachosPasta and/or potato saladSpinach-artichoke dipStuffed mushroomsTea sandwiches or crostini Some additional wallet-friendly crowd-pleasers to consider for gatherings, according to Cheapism, include bean dip, wings, and flatbread pizzas. But don't forget the little ones altogether, of course! One-year-olds enjoy a variety of foods, so consider putting together a "baby buffet" with things like cheese cubes, mini sandwiches, crackers, bananas, muffins, yogurt, applesauce, pasta, hard-boiled eggs, lean proteins, and more. Avoid anything that can be considered a choking hazard, such as popcorn, hot dogs, nuts, or grapes. 29 Fun First Birthday Gift Ideas Finger Foods for Birthday Party Guests Finger foods make everyone's life easier—you don't need to provide cutlery, and your guests aren't trying to chase a toddler while balancing a plate of salad. "Prepare foods in smaller sizes like bite-size meatballs and place them on skewers or make mini hamburger sliders that are easier for your little ones to hold," says Andrea Woroch, a money-saving pro and mom of two littles. Here are some kids' birthday party finger food ideas that are easy to handle and sure to be a hit: Bagels and muffinsCheese and crackersChips with guacamole and salsaFruit on skewersSandwiches cut into quartersVeggies and dip If you're serving a crowd of toddlers or preschoolers who are all going to eat at the same time, chicken nuggets (don't forget the ketchup!) or Bagel Bites are easy on your budget and quick to pull together. Cheapism also recommends macaroni and cheese bites, as well as quesadillas, which are both easy to handle and inexpensive to prepare. How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Kids' Birthday Party "I also suggest putting sauces on the side so kids can experiment with different flavors but you won't run the risk of anything getting wasted if they don't like the taste," says Woroch. Remember, excited little party-goers are often just too wound up to eat very much, which is why you don't want to spend too much time or money on the meal. Birthday Party Food Ideas for Older Kids For older kids, chicken nuggets and finger foods might not cut it. Here are some kids' birthday party food ideas for elementary and middle school students: Falafel, humus, pita, and veggiesGrilled cheese or BLTs with tomato soupMacaroni and cheese with optional toppings (bacon, broccoli, buffalo chicken bites, breadcrumbs, etc.)Make-your-own taco bar, salad bar, or slider barPizza (either homemade or delivery)Pasta with meatballsStuffed potato skinsTakeout from their favorite restaurant The Best Kids' Birthday Party Places Birthday Party Food Ideas With Less Sugar Birthday party snacks don't need to be loaded with calories, sugar, or sodium to be delicious. Here are some healthier options for younger and older kids alike:Cheese and cracker plattersFruit and veggie plattersGuacamole, salsa, or seven-layer dipHummus and pita chipsMeat and cheese trayPopcornPretzelsTrail mix Dessert Ideas for a Kid's Birthday Party A festive birthday cake allows for a more dramatic blow-out-the-candles moment. Try a theme cake if your kid's mad about motorcycles, superheroes, or Clifford. Costco is known for making great-tasting, inexpensive sheet cakes with lots of characters and designs to choose from. Similarly, many local supermarket chains provide cost-friendly, delicious, and highly customizable options. Feeling ambitious? Make your own cake (from a mix or scratch) and get decorating ideas from various websites like Pinterest. If you want less of a hassle, opt for cupcakes instead. There's no cutting, and they're easier to serve. Consider icing cupcakes in different colors and arranging them in a fun pattern, or one that spells out your child's name or "Happy Birthday." Put out sprinkles and other decorations so each guest can create their own masterpiece. Need a few more ideas for dessert? Cheapism's favorite budget-friendly desserts that also happen to be kid-friendly include pudding, oatmeal cookies, and fruit plates. Popsicles and other frozen treats are usually a hit as well. And what kids' party would be complete without ice cream? Want to take your efforts up a notch? Here are some additional dessert options for kids' birthday parties that require a bit more effort: An assortment of piesChocolate fondueIce cream sundae barMud cups. Use clear plastic cups, fill halfway with chocolate pudding, top with a layer of crushed chocolate cookies like Oreos, and then put a gummy worm or two on the top.S'mores (even better if you have a fire pit for older kids' birthday parties!)Waffle bar with toppings (syrup, chocolate sauce, fruit, powdered sugar, etc.) Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit