Children's Party Food Calculator
Choose the kind of party food, how many children, and how many adults are staying.
Parents who stay will eat too, usually more than the children.
Answer
105 savoury items and 42 sweet items
Your shopping list
The totals
Next step
Worth knowing
- Children graze rather than sit and eat. Small portions, lots of choice.
- Ask parents about allergies before you shop, not on the day. Nuts, dairy, egg and gluten are the common ones.
- Whole grapes, cherry tomatoes and cocktail sausages are choking risks for under-fives, cut them lengthways.
- Adults eat at children's parties too. Add a few extra portions for the grown-ups who stay.
- Put food out just before you want them to eat. Left out early it gets picked over and warm.
Source: Standard UK catering and home-cooking portion guidance · Reviewed 2026-09-10 · Guidance version 1.0.0
Reference and detail
Children eat less than you fear
They graze, get distracted and go back to playing. Small quantities of many things work far better than large portions of a few.
The adults are the real appetite
Parents who stay will eat considerably more than the children. Counting them in is the difference between plenty and awkwardly empty plates.
Keep it simple and safe
Cut grapes lengthways, avoid whole nuts, and ask about allergies before the day. Label anything that contains the common allergens so parents can check quickly.
Questions and answers
Questions about children's party food
How much food do I need per child at a party?
Enter the number of children and the length of the party above. Short parties need only a few savoury and sweet items per child; a proper sit-down party tea or a long party or sleepover needs more of both, plus more to drink.
Do adults need feeding at a children's party?
Yes, parents and carers who stay will usually want something to eat too, so add a few extra portions on top of the children's numbers rather than assuming they will go without.
What foods are choking hazards at a children's party?
Whole grapes, cherry tomatoes and cocktail sausages are choking risks for under-fives and should be cut lengthways before serving.
Food safety
Cooking times are a guide only. Ovens, joints and starting temperatures vary, so always check the food is cooked before serving rather than relying on the clock.
Source: Food Standards Agency, Cooking your food: cooking temperatures and times (GOV.UK) · Reviewed 2026-09-11 · Guidance version 2.0.0
How do I check for allergies before a children's party?
Ask parents about allergies before you shop, not on the day. Nuts, dairy, egg and gluten are the most common ones to plan around.
When should I put party food out for children?
Put it out just before you want them to eat. Food left out too early gets picked over and goes warm before anyone sits down properly.