Keep it simple
Children eat what they recognise. Sausage and chips, fish fingers, pizza and sandwiches will always beat anything fancy. Hot food served quickly beats a buffet left out for hours.
A chip van at a children’s party
A van on the drive feels like an adventure, and sausage and chips is a guaranteed hit. Parents can have fish and chips at the same time, so nobody needs a separate meal.
Portions
Young children often eat around half an adult portion. Ask your caterer about children’s portions, and count children separately.
Allergies
Ask parents about allergies when they reply to the invitation, and tell your caterer in writing. Keep food for children with allergies separate and clearly labelled.
Timing
Serve food about an hour into the party, before the cake, and keep the eating area away from the bouncy castle.
Keeping children safe around a van
Children love watching food being cooked, but a van has hot oil inside. Keep games and bouncy castles away from the van, and have an adult keep an eye on the queue. Children should come to the hatch with a grown-up and never lean in.
Easy extras
- Fruit and veg sticks while they wait
- Squash and water
- Plenty of napkins and wet wipes
- Seats at child height, or a picnic blanket
Grown-ups too
At a children’s party, the parents are hungry too. A van that serves fish and chips for the adults and sausage and chips for the children means nobody needs to cook a separate meal.
How much to order
Children’s appetites vary hugely. Toddlers might eat a few chips; ten-year-olds can match an adult. Give your caterer separate numbers for younger and older children, and ask about portion sizes.
Fussy eaters
Plain chips and a sausage cover most fussy eaters. Keep sauces on the side rather than poured over, so children can choose.
Quick answers
What do children like from a chip van?
Sausage and chips, usually.
Do children need full portions?
Younger ones often don’t. Ask about smaller portions.
Planning an event? Tell us about it and we’ll check the date and send a quote.