How to Build the Perfect Kids Catering Menu (That Parents and Children Both Love)

Planning food for a kids’ party should be fun—but too often, it becomes a guessing game. You want something kids will actually eat, but also something that’s manageable, allergy-safe, and hopefully not sugar-fueled chaos on a plate. At Susan’s Kitchen Catering and Events, we’ve seen it all: the untouched pizza, the melted cake, the juice-stained tablecloth. That’s why we created a kids catering menu that focuses on food that’s fun, flexible, and actually gets eaten. Whether it’s a birthday, school function, or backyard bash, our menus are built to please both picky kids and parents who care about what goes into their child’s body.

Our approach is simple: keep it colorful, familiar, and interactive. From mini skewers to handheld bites, we think kids’ food should be just as thoughtful as what the adults are eating. Our kids catering menu offers customizable options that work for any event size or theme—and yes, we test everything with real kids before it hits our lineup.

Kid Favorites That Always Get Eaten

The truth is, most kids don’t want a gourmet experience—they want something they know. That’s why we always start with a handful of familiar favorites: mac and cheese bites, grilled cheese sliders, mini chicken skewers, fresh fruit, and baked tater tots. These options are easy to hold, easy to chew, and most importantly, easy to love. But at Susan’s Kitchen, we also like to sneak in something new—something that reflects our roots in fresh, global flavor.

For example, our bao bun sliders have become a surprise hit. These pillowy soft buns are filled with kid-friendly pulled chicken or tofu, with just a hint of sweet soy sauce. We also offer sushi rice balls with cucumber and carrot, and cold sesame noodles that are slurpable and mild. Parents love the exposure to new ingredients, and kids respond to the fun shapes and mild flavors. You’ll find a few of these twists inspired by our Hawaiian poke catering menu, which also informs some of our tropical party themes.

Healthier and Allergy-Conscious Options

Feeding a crowd of kids comes with responsibility. With food sensitivities on the rise, we make sure our menus include gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free options that are clearly labeled and just as appealing as everything else. Our plant-based options have gone over especially well at preschool events and summer camps, where some kids are already used to veggie-forward meals at home.

Some of our go-to allergy-conscious picks include fruit skewers with watermelon and grapes, dairy-free mac and cheese made with nutritional yeast, and mini veggie wraps with hummus or avocado mash. We also make it easy to build a fully vegan spread, from the mains to the dipping sauces and desserts. For that kind of party, you might find inspiration from our vegan menu, which was designed to be as celebratory as it is inclusive.

Mini Menus for Every Party Theme

Sometimes parents don’t want to build a menu from scratch—they just want someone to hand them a set that works. That’s why we offer “mini menus” grouped by popular party types. Each set includes a main, a side, a fruit or veggie option, and a drink. They’re balanced, easy to serve, and come with optional decor upgrades for themed tables.

Here are a few examples of our themed mini menus:

• Birthday Bash: Chicken sliders, baked mac bites, fruit kabobs, watermelon punch
• After-School Snack Bar: Mini veggie quesadillas, apple slices with cinnamon dip, popcorn trail mix, flavored water
• Indoor Movie Night: Cheese pizza squares, sweet potato fries, banana-chocolate bites, vanilla oat milk

For active events like field days or sports banquets, we modify our offerings to include more energizing snacks and larger portions, much like what we offer through our Super Bowl menu, scaled for younger appetites.

Kid-Friendly Drinks and Hydration Add-Ons

One of the most overlooked parts of a kids catering menu is the drinks. Sugary soda and artificial juices are common, but they usually lead to sticky hands, hyperactivity, and unfinished cups. We offer alternatives that are not only healthier, but still feel festive. From real fruit smoothies to lightly flavored infused waters, our drink options are designed with both hydration and enjoyment in mind.

For birthday parties, we might do strawberry-banana smoothies with fun biodegradable straws. At school picnics, a batch of lemon-cucumber water in mason jars gets the job done without the sugar crash. Our detox and infused water menu gives a few more ideas for keeping little ones refreshed while staying away from sugary overloads.

DIY Kids Catering Trays (for Smaller Gatherings)

Not every celebration needs full-service catering. For smaller events—like classroom birthdays, playdates, or neighborhood block parties—we offer DIY catering trays. These are simple to serve, easy to store, and perfect for parents who want quality without the logistics of full staffing. They also work great when you need allergen labeling and portion control for group settings.

Trays can include bento-style lunches, individual snack packs, or grouped platter sets based on your guest count. A popular combo tray includes mini sandwiches, fresh fruit, and veggie sticks with ranch or hummus. You can even pair them with healthy grains like the ones featured in our grain bowls catering, for older kids or tweens who want more grown-up flavors.

Sample Menu Options

Here’s a sample from one of our most requested kids party menus, built for a mix of dietary needs and age groups:

• Main Options: Mini cheese quesadillas, grilled chicken bao sliders, sesame noodles (served chilled)
• Sides: Tater tots, fruit skewers, edamame cups
• Dips & Extras: Avocado mash, mild sweet soy, hummus
• Drinks: Mango smoothie, lemon-mint water, vanilla almond milk

We often pair menus like these with light breakfast options or afternoon snacks, depending on the event time. Our smoothie and açaí menu includes several blends kids enjoy just as much as adults.

Pricing and How to Book

Our pricing is designed to be flexible and transparent. Most kids menus start at $9 to $14 per child, with group discounts available for schools, nonprofits, and parties over 30 guests. DIY trays are available starting at $45, depending on selection and headcount. We always offer allergen labeling, compostable materials, and delivery setup included in the quote.

Ready to plan your event? We recommend starting with our special catering menus, where you can browse ideas and let us know your party details. From there, we’ll work with you to customize the perfect kids catering experience—one that’s fun, safe, and genuinely delicious.

At Susan’s Kitchen Catering and Events, we believe feeding kids is a chance to nourish and delight. Whether your child loves noodles or nuggets, smoothies or sesame sticks, we’ll make sure their next event is something to remember.