Definitely a hard one! As i myself will always try to have more than enough vs not enough for people to enjoy. You could take leftovers home or offer them to the party guests to do so to avoid waste if that is an option for you? Otherwise i tend to focus just on buying meals for the kids and offer adults coffees on the day

I like to have some things that could be used for lunches and morning teas in the following week if there are leftovers: sausage rolls, spring rolls, sandwiches, pretzels, fruit, mini muffins are all good. I have never seen leftovers of fairy bread, and it’s easy and cheap to make. Good luck.

A variety of finger foods is always a great option for us. Little sandwiches, pies and sausage rolls, scrolls or pinwheels, fresh fruit cups, Lebanese bead pizza slices. A spread that can give lots of options and variety for any kind of eater. These are things that people can easily take extras of if you do find yourself with leftovers (and it’s all pretty easy on the pocket!)

I totally get not wanting to go overboard and waste food. Since it’s more of a morning tea, you could keep it simple with fruit platters, mini muffins, popcorn cups, and a few sandwiches or wraps cut into small pieces. Kids love finger foods, and they’re easy to eat while playing. For sweets, maybe just a small cake or cupcakes instead of a big dessert spread. Pre-portioning snacks in little cups or bags can also help avoid waste.

It might be good to inquire if you can bring in own foods at the play center as at some of these places you can only serve what they offer. At the last birthday party of my youngest I just had fruit platters and pizza and served ice cream cake at the end

We have always gone with less food at parties because children will grab finger food and eat it quickly because they really just want to eat, get some energy again and then go and play and have fun. There is no point in over catering for parties and having an excess of food.

Finger food is always good. I try to imagine what one child will eat and go from there. Pick the foods,.. sandwiches, hot sausage rolls, frankfurts, pizza pinwheels etc…count how many each x by number of guests. Allowing 2 each is plenty as some eat more, others less. Just make the choices and stick to them.

The best thing we ever did was purchase a party book which includes party themed invites, games, food and so much more. It has always helped us to plan parties and budgets and not over spend on treats and food. It is a good idea to invest in a good party book.

A fruit platter, a snack plate ( like cheese, cabana, vegetables sticks, dip which is mostly if theres adults there) some cupcakes/muffins and some chips/ shapes. You can bring a few extra things in packets if you’re worried, then if what you have gets eaten you can open more but if not you can just take them home.