Here are the other things you'll want to think about as you plan the food:
- It's always good to have some kind of healthy snack such as a tray of cut fruit. But don't go overboard on the healthy snacks unless that's the only thing you're serving. Given a choice between cookies and veggies, which do you think kids will pick?
- Baby carrots, and sometimes sliced cucumbers are popular snacks for young kids, especially when served with ranch dip.
- Try to plan snacks that carry out the theme of your holiday. For example, creepy spider cupcakes for Halloween; Valentine's cookies for Valentine's Day; marshmallow chicks and bunnies for a springtime party, etc.
- Food is usually the easiest donation to get from parents. Every class seems to have one mom who enjoys making seasonal cupcakes or cookies.
- Salty snacks are also popular party food. Potato chips usually win out over pretzels in my children's parties.
- Don't serve too many choices. Otherwise, children will load up their plates, and then you'll see a ton of food dumped into the trash can at the end of the party.
