Planning the menu for a kids’ birthday party is no small task. Food is more than just a necessity. In fact, it’s a centerpiece that keeps the kids energized and parents impressed. The right food choices make the difference between an average gathering and a truly unforgettable party. If your need kids birthday party food ideas, then you are in the right place!

This guide will help you plan a menu that’s both fun and kid-approved. Spoiler alert: we’ll show why Mario’s Pizza makes your life easier and tastier. Dive in for exciting food ideas, tips for dietary needs, and more. We even share fun station concepts to entertain and nourish your little guests.

Kids Birthday Party Food Ideas that are Fun & Healthy

It’s no surprise kids love sweets and indulgent snacks. However, parents appreciate a balance of healthy options that don’t sacrifice fun or flavor. Here are ideas to bring the best of both worlds to your party table.

Creative Healthy Snacks 

  • Fruit Kabobs

Brightly colored fruit kabobs are easy to grab and look festive. Use strawberries, pineapple, melon, and grapes to make a rainbow-colored skewer.

  • Veggie Cups with Dip

Pre-fill small cups with hummus, ranch dressing, or guacamole. Then, add carrot sticks, cucumber slices, or bell pepper strips for an easy grab-and-go snack.

  • Mini Sandwich Bites

Create fun, bite-sized sandwiches with whole grain bread, turkey, cheese, or peanut butter (if no allergies). Use cookie cutters to turn them into shapes like stars or hearts.

Tasty Treat Ideas

  • Yogurt Popsicles

Mix yogurt with fresh fruit puree and freeze them into popsicles for a healthier alternative to ice cream.

Trail Mix Station 

Set up a DIY trail mix bar where kids can choose their favorite mix-ins. A few examples of mix-ins are dried fruit, popcorn, nuts (if allergy-friendly), and mini pretzels.

Rice Cake Faces 

Use rice cakes as a base and provide toppings to create silly face designs. Ideas for toppings include cream cheese, bananas, or raisins.

Why Mario’s Pizza is a Perfect Party Food 

Nothing screams “birthday party fun” like pizza. It’s universally loved, easy to serve, and customizable — making it the ultimate treat for kids and adults alike. At Mario’s Pizza, we take the stress out of party planning while keeping all your guests satisfied. Here’s why pizza works and how Mario’s helps.

Pizza Ties into Any Birthday Theme 

Throwing a superhero party? Pizza can be your superheroes’ fuel! Hosting a princess tea party? Slice it up into tiny portions to fit the royal vibe. From sports themes to space adventures, pizza seamlessly enhances every theme without taking the focus away from the festivities.

More Than Just Pizza 

Mario’s Pizza doesn’t stop at delicious pies. We also offer an array of finger foods that kids love, including wings, French fries, and sliceable subs. With these additions on your menu, you’ll have something for even the pickiest of eaters. Plus, your adult guests will enjoy the variety, too!

Stress-Free Party Planning 

Mario’s streamlines your party food needs. No shopping, cooking, or cleanup — just order and we’ll do the heavy lifting. Spend more time hosting and having fun while we provide delicious food for your guests.

Tips for Catering to Different Dietary Restrictions 

It’s important to accommodate all your little guests to ensure everyone feels included. Here are a few tips from Mario’s Pizza to make dietary planning simpler.

Gluten-Free Options 

Mario’s offers gluten-free pizza crusts so kids with gluten sensitivities don’t have to miss out on the fun!  Note: we work hard to avoid cross contamination. However, there is gluten in our kitchen, so we can’t 100% guarantee it.

Low-Carb Alternative 

For those seeking a low-carb or keto-friendly option, our cauliflower crust is the perfect choice.

Allergy Awareness 

Always check with parents about allergies beforehand. Have a couple of allergen-free staples like fruit platters or popcorn on your menu to keep kids safe.

FAQs About Kids’ Birthday Parties

Need more information to plan a birthday party for your kid? Our FAQ section below will help! Be sure to visit our website too. It has tons of additional information about us and our food.

How do I entertain kids at a birthday party?

Entertainment comes in different forms, from games to engaging food activities, like decorating cupcakes. Hiring a face painter, setting up a bounce house, or even hosting a treasure hunt also keeps the little ones entertained and happy.

What decorations do I need for a child’s birthday party?

The decorations will depend on your theme, but some essentials include balloons, a themed cake table backdrop, dining table centerpieces, banners, and disposable tableware that matches the party’s colors or theme. Pro tip — coordinate these with your food setup to create Instagram-worthy photos!

Where is Mario’s Pizza located?

We have 9 locations conveniently spread out in the Triad. Three of our locations are in Winston-Salem, two in High-Point, three in Greensboro, and one in Clemmons. Head over to our website to find out which is closest to you.

Make Your Party Planning Easy

Planning food for a kid’s birthday doesn’t have to be stressful, and Mario’s Pizza is here to help. We’ve got all the kids birthday party food ideas you need and more!

Stop in today to get your pizza fix for the party or call your closest Mario’s Pizza to place your order. We will help you make your child’s birthday one to remember. Your guests (and your sanity) will thank you!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more fun ideas!

Often, parents like to show their love for their children by throwing them a birthday party. These celebrations create lasting memories of laughter, joy, and fun. Yet, with so many birthday places near me to choose, you can become overwhelmed trying to find the perfect location. Mario’s Pizza, a family-friendly Italian restaurant with locations throughout the Triad, is an ideal solution.

Birthday Party Ideas

When planning your child’s birthday party, you’ll find a seemingly endless number of possibilities. Places like Dave and Buster and Chuck E Cheese offer both food and activities to keep kids fed and busy. While older children may enjoy celebrating at jump places, bowling alleys, or roller-skating rinks.

Another idea is to rent a character of your child’s favorite personality – princess, superhero, animal, or cartoon character. Sometimes these characters provide activities like themed face painting or balloon twisting. However, for this birthday party idea, you’ll still need to provide the party venue and food.

Having A Birthday Party At A Restaurant

While an all-in-one birthday party idea works for some parents, they can be pricey options. Moreover, many of these places have minimum and maximum guest requirements. Yet the thought of cleaning your home and preparing food is overwhelming.

Another alternative is to celebrate your child’s birthday at a restaurant. All you need to do is show up while the staff handles cooking and cleanup. Plus, many eateries are family-friendly and welcome parties. And if you choose a restaurant serving everyone’s favorite food, pizza, the celebration is sure to be a hit.

Yet, restaurants present some challenges if you’re throwing a party with young children. Kids may become restless and bored when waiting for food. However, you can plan several fun things to do with minimal effort.

Often, you can find simple, printable activities online. For example, kids love to play bingo with the chance of winning a prize. To keep with the celebration theme, you can download and print birthday bingo cards.  You can also print placemats with games on them. Even small children can do mazes, dot-to-dot pictures, or simple word searches.

Pizza Party At The Park

Another alternative is to rent a pavilion at one of the many parks in the area and serve carryout pizza. Kids love playing on the playground with their friends and pizza is one of their favorite foods. Plus, with 9 Mario’s locations throughout the Triad, we’re never far from your party venue.

Combined, Greensboro and Winston-Salem have over 300 parks within their borders. Before reserving a shelter, visit the park to see the distance of the shelter from the playground and restrooms. Below, are a few great park party venues:

Greensboro Area

  1. Triad Park

A joint venture between Forsyth and Guilford Counties, Triad Park encompasses 426 acres. The park has 3 playgrounds as well as horseshoe pits and volleyball courts.

  1. Barber Park

Located just minutes from downtown Greensboro, you can enjoy 109 acres of beautiful parkland grounds. In addition to a tot spot and playground, Barber Park has a sprayground. A sprayground has water features for a fun and refreshing experience. Moreover, at Barber Park, you can reserve it for a party giving you private use for a limited time.

  1. Country Park

This 250-acre park is part of the Battleground Parks District in Greensboro. Its handicap-accessible playground allows every child to have fun. Plus, you can rent pedal boats shaped like dragons, ducks, and geese.

Winston Salem Area

  1. Tanglewood Park

In addition to a playground, Tanglewood Park in Clemmons has a riding stable. The stable offers horseback riding or pony rides for children under the age of 6. You can also reserve an hour-long hayride through the scenic countryside.

  1. Hathaway Park

A few minutes west of downtown Winston-Salem lies the 17 acres of Hathaway Park. It has a castle-themed playground as well as a cooling sprayground.

  1. Washington Park

Nestled in the neighborhood of the same name, Washington Park offers 75 acres of land. If your child loves dinosaurs, they’ll love this themed playground featuring a T-Rex and stegosaurus kids can climb.

Birthday Places Near Me FAQs

Every parent wants their child to have a wonderful celebration and so does Mario’s Pizza. Our staff can help make your planning easier and less stressful. When deciding among birthday places near me, choose our restaurant. Below, we answer a few commonly asked questions about our eatery.

Can Mario’s Deliver?

Mario’s Pizza partners with delivery service companies like DoorDash to deliver your food fresh and hot.

How Many Pizzas Should I Order For A Party?

Usually, children younger than 5 will eat only one slice of pizza. For kids 5 and up, plan for 2 slices of pizza, and for adults, 3 slices per person. Of course, this depends on the size of the pie. At Mario’s Pizza, we make our pizzas in several sizes:

  • 10-inch feeds 1-2 people
  • 15-inch feeds 3-4 people
  • 17-inch feeds 5-6 people
  • 19-inch feeds 7-8 people
  • 24-inch feeds 8-10 people

What Other Menu Items Can I Order For A Large Celebration?

In addition to our delicious NY style pizza, we have party trays of your favorite Italian food:

  • Garden salad
  • Greek salad
  • Garlic knots
  • Spaghetti with marinara/meatballs
  • Lasagna
  • Baked ziti
  • Chicken parmigiana
  • Eggplant parmigiana
  • Ravioli
  • Cannoli

Moreover, if you call ahead, we can tailor your order to meet your needs. Simply call your local Mario’s Pizza for more information or to place a catering order.

Is there an anniversary, family reunion, graduation, or some other celebration soon? When considering birthday places near me, remember Mario’s Pizza for catering (keep in mind, we don’t deliver our catered food) or in-house celebrations.