Before we dive in, here’s what you’ll find below
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Crowd-pleasing kids party foods: easy sweet and savoury ideas that work for any theme
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DIY stations: fun, low-stress setups kids love (and picky eaters approve of)
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Make-ahead tips: recipes you can prep early so you can enjoy the party too
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Planning help: quantities, checklists and smart shortcuts to keep hosting simple
With balloons, games, streamers and cake, children's parties are a lot of fun. And while decorations set the scene, the real heart of any party is what fills the tummy, party food.
To make sure a great time is had by all, you want easy kids party food that’s not only tasty, but also a bit more special than your everyday snacks. So what should you include on your menu? Whether it’s a sleepover, birthday or other occasion, we’ll guide you through some creative kids party food ideas that are sure to be a hit at your next event!
What food to serve at a kids party?
The secret to great party food ideas for kids isn’t the specific recipes, it’s the balance. Aim for a spread that’s fun, easy to grab between games, and simple for you to prepare or transport. A good rule of thumb is to include:
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A filling savoury option: Kids burn through energy fast, so offer at least one savoury hero that’s warm, comforting and easy to portion.
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One or two sweet treats: Choose sweets that feel special but won’t create a sugar overload.
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Fresh bits and “buffer foods”: Adding fruit cups, veggie sticks or cheese cubes gives picky eaters something familiar and keeps the table looking colourful and balanced.
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A mix of DIY and ready-made: To keep stress low, combine one simple homemade item with a ready-made hero from Bakers Delight (like delicious Pastries, and sweet Scrolls).
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Food kids can serve themselves: Self-serve works wonders. Platters where kids can pick, assemble or dip their food reduce waste and make catering more flexible (especially when you’re unsure how big their appetites will be)
The goal? Party food kids love that looks generous, feels exciting, and leaves you free to enjoy yourself rather than managing the food table.
How much food do you need for a kids party?
When it comes to catering a kids party, a good rule of thumb is to err on the side of “a little extra,” especially when little hands are grabbing freely.
Here’s a quick guide:
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2–3 savoury options per child (e.g., pizza slices, sliders, sausage rolls)
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1–2 sweet treats per child
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Plenty of drinks (fruit punch, lemonade, water)
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One showpiece treat (Finger Bun station, swirls, skewers, etc.)
Keep portions small as kids love variety, not big servings.
Savoury favourites
Savoury foods often disappear first, especially when they’re warm, easy to hold and filled with their favourite flavours. These ideas keep kids full and happy without creating chaos for the grown-ups.
DIY pizza station
Let kids build their own mini pizzas using our Mini Pizza Bases or Turkish Bread Roll halves. It’s hands-on, fun, and perfect for picky eaters because everyone gets what they want. Here are some easy ideas to get your pizza station humming:
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Pre-cut bases into kid-sized portions
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Offer a “choose your colours” toppings bar
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Keep toppings mild and familiar (save the chilli for adults!)
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Bake in batches so fresh pizzas come out continuously
What toppings are best for kids pizzas?
When it comes to pizza, stick to kid-friendly classics. Think:
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Ham and cheese
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Pineapple
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Mild salami
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Capsicum strips
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Mushrooms
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“Build-your-own” topping station so every child gets their perfect slice
Mini sliders
Bakers Delight Brioche Sliders make the perfect mini slider buns as they’re soft, fluffy and just the right size for little hands.
Try these kid-approved fillings:
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Ham, cheese and tomato
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Meatball and mozzarella
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Veggie patty with cheese
DIY Hot Dog Bar
Take the hassle out of preparing food for a kids party – give them creative control by setting up a make-your-own hot dog station. Line up a table with pre-cut buns, hot dog sausages, and a selection of toppings and sauces laid out buffet style.
Toppings that are sure to please are grated cheese, fried onions, pickles, bacon, diced tomatoes, and coleslaw. Tomato and BBQ sauce are a must, but other choices could include mayonnaise or aioli, sweet chilli sauce or relish. DIY hot dogs are the ultimate fun and easy party food for kids, allowing them to choose what they like on their own hot dog, meaning less wastage and happier party-goers.

Cheats Sausage Rolls
A classic savoury kids party food, sausage rolls have appeared on party tables for generations for good reason - they’re delicious! Home-made sausage rolls pack more flavour punch than the boxed variety, but making pastry can be time consuming.
The answer? Get the best of both worlds with our Cheat’s Sausage Rolls Recipe. They’re easy to make - just flatten some bread with a rolling pin, wrap it around your favourite sausages, brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds then into the oven. As party finger food ideas go this one is as simple as it is delicious.

Sweet delights
Sweet treats add the fun factor with bright colours, cute shapes and make-your-own moments. These recipes are simple, crowd-pleasing and perfect for little party-goers.
Cinnamon Pinwheels
These golden, Cinnamon Pinwheels are a guaranteed hit at any party. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and ready in minutes, they’re the definition of easy party food.
Birthday Cake Croissants
A sprinkle-filled celebration in every bite! These Birthday Cake Croissants take buttery pastry and load it with a sweet, cake-inspired filling that bakes into a soft, golden centre. They look festive, taste indulgent, and come together with just a few simple ingredients. Perfect for kids parties or anytime you want a fun, colourful treat. Sprinkle generously and serve warm for maximum smiles.

Apple & Cinnamon Sourdough Skewers
Perfect for a party at any time of day, these Apple & Cinnamon French Toast Skewers are tasty, sweet and look amazing. To make them, take our Apple & Cinnamon Loaf and coat it in egg, vanilla and maple syrup and fry for the most delectable French toast ever. Then cut them into chunks and skewer with raspberries, strawberry and blueberries, and sprinkle generously with icing sugar. It’s finger food but more fabulous! Add chocolate dipping sauce and watch the kids go wild.

Raspberry Lemonade
Forget store bought fizzy-drinks - take your party game up a notch with the sweetness of real raspberries and the zesty tang of fresh lemons. This homemade Raspberry Lemonade Recipe needs just a few simple ingredients, you can mix it up in a flash, and it’s packed full of flavour. What’s not to love? With its beautiful bubbles and bright raspberry pink colour this drink will be a smash with party-goers of any age.

DIY Finger Bun making
With their iconic pink icing lavishly layered in rainbow sprinkles our range of Finger Buns are ideal party fare. You can serve them as they are, or supercharge the sweetness by filling them with jam or nutella. Whether piled high on a cake stand or taking pride of place on kids party food platters they’re guaranteed to please.
Our top Finger Bun topping ideas
Need some inspiration? Here are our top ideas for creative ways to dress up your buns.
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Classic pink icing + rainbow sprinkles
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Jam-filled with white icing
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Nutella and crushed strawberries
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Blue icing with chocolate chips
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“Create your monster” buns: marshmallows, mini choc buttons, googly icing eyes
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Lemon icing with shredded coconut
How to make party food for kids a breeze
When it comes to party food ideas kids will love, it doesn't need to be complicated and time consuming. Setting up DIY stations (like the Hot Dog station above) will make party time a breeze for you as a parent, and give the kids the freedom to build their own culinary creations. Keep it simple and stress-free by choosing fun but simple kids party food like the recipes we’ve included, and make sure to prepare food in advance so there’s no need to rush around while the party is in full swing. With your tasty and effortless spread on the table you’ll be free to relax and celebrate with great company!
How do you cater for picky eaters?
For picky eaters, DIY stations are your best friend. Offer:
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simple toppings
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mild flavours
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options kids can assemble themselves
Kids love choosing what goes on their plate, and it reduces waste.
What are good make-ahead kids party foods?
So you’re not left scrambling to get everything ready on the day, plan ahead with foods that keep well:
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Sausage rolls
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Mini sliders
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Cinnamon swirls
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Fruit skewers
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French toast skewers
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Dips + veggie sticks
Kids party food checklist (so nothing gets forgotten!)
A little prep goes a long way! Here’s how to stay organised:
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48 hours before: prep shopping list, pre-cut veggies, gather serving trays
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Morning of: bake sausage rolls, set up DIY stations
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30 minutes before: plate fruit skewers, frost finger buns, refrigerate drinks
The next time you have a happy occasion to cater for, make your local Bakers Delight your first stop. We’ve got all the soft and fluffy baked goods to make your party menu a hit!
