Organizing a kid’s party can be a breeze when you choose to cater with a classic local joint like Rosati’s Pizza. While we handle the food, you can focus on the fun, enjoying the day with your little one without the stress of feeding a group. In this article, we’ll cover some of the best foods for a catered kids’ party, share our tips for planning meals for a crowd, and discuss how to put together the ultimate party menu.
How to Plan a Kid’s Birthday Party with Catering
When you choose to have your kid’s birthday party catered, a huge chunk of the work will be taken off your shoulders. Cheers to that! As you’re choosing the menu and planning your setup, there are a few things you can keep in mind to make sure everyone has a great time.
Know the Guests’ Preferences
Understanding the likes and dislikes of the kids (and adults!) attending your child’s party can make sure everyone finds something they like. Talk to other parents beforehand to ask about any particular preferences or aversions their children may have. You can then use this information to look for general patterns among the group, which can help you make menu choices that will satisfy the most number of people.
Be Aware of Allergies
It’s important to be aware of any food allergies or dietary restrictions when planning your child’s party. The easiest way to do this is to reach out to parents beforehand to ask about any specific food allergies, intolerances, or dietary preferences they or their children might have. Common allergens such as nuts, dairy, and gluten can cause severe reactions in some children, so it’s important to know this information upfront in order to choose a few items (if necessary) that everyone can eat.
Choose a Variety of Kids Party Foods
One of the best parts of kid’s party catering with Rosati’s Pizza is that the cooking is done for you, which gives you extra freedom to choose a greater variety of foods that you’d likely be able to enjoy if you had to make it all yourself. Some of our favorite options include pizza, breadsticks, and mozzarella bites.
Use Fun Displays
When choosing your kid’s birthday party catering menu, you can use fun ways to display the food such as tiered trays, colorful plates, or themed tablecloths. You may also want to think about having kid-friendly plates, cups, and utensils, especially if your guests are younger.
Have a Cleanup Plan
As you’re planning your kid’s party catering menu, don’t forget to have a cleanup plan. You can start by setting out plenty of trash bins and recycling options, and position them strategically around the party area to encourage people to use them. Consider using disposable options for easy cleanup.
Kid’s Party Menu Ideas
Once you’ve got the logistics of the catering setup worked out, it’s time for the fun part: choosing the food! There are so many great options for kid’s party menus, but here are a few of our favorites.
Pizza
Serving pizza at a kid’s party is a surefire way to make the event a hit. Pizza has universal appeal for both adults and children with its combination of melted cheese, savory sauce, and customizable toppings. Pizza is also easy to eat with your hands, which lets kids enjoy their meal without the fuss of utensils. Here at Rosati’s Pizza, we offer a wide range of pizza options from classic pepperoni to more adventurous flavors like Hawaiian.
Sandwiches
Sandwiches are a favorite among kids and can be another great finger-food option, especially for picky eaters. At Rosati’s Pizza, we love sandwiches on a party menu because their simplicity means less hassle for the host, with the added benefit of being easily paired with a range of kid-friendly sides.
Pasta
Here at Rosati’s Pizza, we offer a wide range of pasta options, from the kid-classic spaghetti and meatballs to lasagna, to fettuccine alfredo and more. Pasta is a great option for a catered kid’s party because it can be easily served to a large group either as a main dish or as a side.
Cheesy Breadsticks
Breadsticks are a fun choice for a kid’s party since they’re both tasty and easy to handle, making them ideal for little hands. At Rosati’s Pizza, our breadsticks come topped with garlic butter and Mozzarella cheese, and they’re served with a side of marinara for dipping.
Salads
We know kids don’t always rave about salads, but it’s good to consider the adults at your party, too! Salads can easily accommodate various dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. They also offer a nutritious alternative to heavier party foods and make a great appetizer for those who would like to enjoy both. At Rosati’s Pizza, we have a range of fresh salad offerings including our Caesar salad, antipasto salad, and our classic chopped salad with spinach, chicken, green pepper, red onion, tomatoes, and bleu cheese crumbles.
Dessert
If you’re having a party, you can’t forget dessert! Though many desserts work great at kids’ parties, we’re partial to our own Italian cannoli, which are pastries made of fried shells filled with sweet ricotta cheese, as well as Zeppole which are traditional Italian pastries often enjoyed during festivals and parties. These deep-fried dough balls are light and airy, sprinkled with powdered sugar and traditionally filled with custard, jelly, or sweet ricotta cheese. They are crispy on the outside and soft inside. If you’d like to try zeppole made with a hazelnut spread, Rosati’s Pizza has you covered!
Learn More About Kid’s Party Foods with Rosati’s Pizza
At Rosati’s Pizza, we’re committed to creating authentic Chicago-style pizza and traditional Italian fare. We still do many things the old-fashioned way, like sourcing fresh ingredients from our partner farms. As you’re planning your party catering menu, check out our extensive Downtown Chicago menu offerings such as wings, salads, calzones, pastas, sandwiches, and pizza, all of which make a great spread for a kid’s party.
