Simple, crowd-pleasing food for any party
Kids party food doesn't need to be complicated. The children who are happiest at parties are usually eating the same handful of things they always love: sandwiches, crisps, sausage rolls, fruit, served in a way that feels special. The pressure to serve elaborate food is a parent thing, not a child thing.
What matters most is variety (so every child finds something they'll eat), easy handling (finger food over cutlery), and clear labelling for allergies. Get those three right and the food table will be a success.
For toddler parties (under 3), yes. Parents stay for the whole party and get hungry too. For older children's parties where parents drop off, you don't need to, though having tea and coffee available is a nice touch. A small adult snack table is a kind gesture but not obligatory.
The birthday cake doesn't need to be practical. It can be elaborate and themed because it's mostly for photographs and the candle moment. Most children eat a very small piece. Order a cake that serves slightly fewer than your guest count.
For parties under 20 children, DIY food is very manageable. For 20 to 30 children, a caterer takes an enormous amount of stress off the host. For 30+, hiring a caterer is almost always worth it.
If a child has a severe allergy (anaphylaxis risk), talk to the parent directly when you receive their RSVP. Keep allergen-free food completely separate with separate plates and serving utensils. A caterer who specialises in allergy-aware catering is the safest option for parties where you can't be certain of every ingredient.