13 Fun and Tasty Birthday Party Food Ideas That Kids Will Actually Eat

A turkey wrap is a good vehicle for getting a little protein in your party guests before all that cake, and when you serve them as pinwheels, they’re way more likely to be consumed because guests can see what’s inside. This recipe makes 28 portions and only takes about 15 minutes, making it an easy, filling choice.

These 2-ingredient cheese straws will be a hit, and what kid doesn't love a portable snack? It's prefect for the grazers at your party who aren't quite ready for lunch but need a little something to nibble on.

If you put a bowl of hummus on a platter surrounded by vegetables, you’ll get some takers, sure. However, if you serve dollops of hummus in little cups with an assortment of dippers already in the cup, they will absolutely fly off the table — It’s just science! I like to load up small, clear plastic cups with hummus on the bottom and a mix of crispy vegetables like cucumbers, bell peppers, and snap peas, but you can use any veggie or dipper your kids enjoy.

For my youngest, it’s not a birthday without tea sandwiches, especially her favorite cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches. You can serve one variety or mix it up with egg salad and salami-and-butter sandos. Pro tip: Pretty much any simple sandwich can be a tea sandwich if you cut off the crusts and display it at an angle.

Like the hummus, pre-portioning this pasta salad in little cups makes a cute presentation, and by making it easy to grab and go, it’s more likely kids will actually pick one up and dig in.

For a party that coincides with the brunch hour, these egg bites are an excellent choice. It’s a quick, two-bite blast of protein. I use a mini muffin tin to make the smaller version, which is objectively cuter and more appealing for kiddos.

Sliders are a great choice for kids’ parties because of their size. This could be a good fit if you’re hosting a party during lunchtime, as they’re quite filling.

A party staple, pigs in a blanket work well at an afternoon party where guests are feeling snacky but don’t need a whole meal. I serve them on a platter with ketchup and mustard squeeze bottles on the side so that kids can choose what and how much they want.

I think every party is improved by a fun snack mix, and this baked ranch-flavored Chex mix definitely qualifies. Rather than serving a giant bowl, I like to divvy up portions in little bags so kids can just grab them and then get on with enjoying the party.

I grew up in the South, so you’ll excuse me for thinking it’s not really a party without deviled eggs. Both of my kids love deviled eggs and are always excited when they make an appearance, so these are a birthday party standard at our house.

Sure, not every kid is going to be stoked to see a platter of veggie-filled spring rolls, but you might be surprised how many will be. Rather than the sriracha mayo mentioned in this recipe, I opt for a peanut sauce on the side. You can use whatever fresh veggies your kids like best. To amp up the cute factor, consider adding edible flowers like nasturtiums.

My kids love both fresh fruit and any food on a stick, so I always like to have fruit kebabs at birthday parties. These get dusted with tangy-spicy Tajín for an extra kick, but you could either serve the Tajín in a shaker on the side for sprinkling or do half spiced and half plain if you’re worried about the spice level.

Just because you’re not ordering pizza doesn’t mean you have to forsake pizza completely. These pizza pinwheels use store-bought dough and the typical pizza fixings — marinara, mozzarella, pepperoni — to deliver pizza vibes in a fun swirly package.