Easy Birthday Party Recipes Kids Will Love (And You Will Too!)

By Jenna Sims
Photo: Jennifer Davick
Once you've picked a theme and finalized the guest list, the next step in planning a birthday party for your little ones is to choose a menu. Whether you're having a small get together with family or planning a backyard soiree with friends, no birthday party is complete without kid-approved snacks and of course, a celebratory dessert! Some of these quick and easy recipes can even be prepared in advance to help save you valuable time on the day of the party and allow you to spend more time celebrating. 
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Pizza Pie Pinwheels

These cheesy wheels will become one of your new favorite snacks, and kids will absolutely love them. Simply roll up your preferred pizza toppings into pre-made pie dough, bake until golden brown, and serve with lots of marinara (and fresh basil!). Pizza Pie Pinwheels are incredibly easy to make, and they're a great handheld appetizer to pack up in the car and tote to the tailgate party.

Pizza Pie Pinwheels

  • 1 sheet refrigerated pie dough

  • 3 oz. pizza sauce

  • ½ teaspoon dried basil

  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ cup pepperoni

  • 1 cup Cheddar Jack cheese, shredded

  • ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line jelly-roll pan with parchment. Stir together pizza sauce, basil, oregano, and salt. On a floured surface, roll out pie dough. Spread sauce mixture onto dough, then top with both cheeses and pepperoni. Roll dough together from the longest side, then slice into ½-inch slices.

Put sliced dough onto cookie sheet, flat side down, a few inches apart. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and wheels are golden brown. Serve with additional pizza sauce, topped with basil, for dipping.

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Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

If the honoree likes cake and cookies, this recipes brings the best of both together.

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Bacon Bow Tie Crackers

Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Tami Hardeman

Recipe: Bacon Bow Tie Crackers

Depending on how many guests you're expecting, you may want to double (or triple) this easy recipe. They'll fly off the plate in record time.

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Funfetti Sugar Cookies

Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Funfetti Sugar Cookies

You'll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to make homemade sugar cookies.

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Crack Crackers

Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

Recipe: Crack Crackers

Elevate cheese crackers with ranch dressing mix for an easy kid-pleasing snack.

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Cream Soda Confetti Sheet Cake

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cream Soda Confetti Sheet Cake

This cake can be refrigerated for up to three days, so you can prepare before the day of the party.

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Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

No matter the crowd, chocolate chip cookies are always a good idea.

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Sheet Pan Nachos

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Sheet Pan Nachos

Create a nacho bar by offering various toppings like onions, avocado, sour cream, cilantro, and tomatoes.

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Party-Perfect Meatballs

Photo: Brie Passano

Recipe: Party-Perfect Meatballs

Use the warm setting on your slow cooker to ensure they're ready to serve throughout the party.

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Classic Birthday Cake

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Classic Birthday Cake

Clear vanilla extract is essential in this recipe for providing the nostalgic flavor of a classic birthday cake.

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Mini Potato Skins

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop styling: Claire Spollen; Food styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Mini Potato Skins

A party-perfect snack.

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Homemade Pretzels

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Homemade Pretzels

Serve with your choice of dipping sauce.

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Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes

Micah Leal

Recipe: Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes

No artificial flavors or colors needed.

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Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce

Let your slow cooker do the work cooking the sauce while you prepare the meatballs.

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Cheddar Cheese Straws

Lee Harrelson

Recipe: Cheddar Cheese Straws

Most of the ingredients for this easy snack can be found in your pantry.

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Chocolate Marble Sheet Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick
  • Recipe:Chocolate Marble Sheet Cake
  • With a marble cake, you don't have to choose between flavors. Preparing it on a sheet cake makes cutting and serving a breeze.

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Homemade Onion Dip

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Homemade Onion Dip

This homemade version of a party classic will become an instant favorite.

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Mini-Cheeseburgers

Photo: Tina Cornett

Recipe: Mini-Cheeseburgers

Sometimes burgers just taste better in slider form.

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Mini Deep-Dish Pizzas

Southern Living

Recipe: Mini Deep-Dish Pizzas

The best kind of party is a pizza party.

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Chicks in a Blanket

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicks in a Blanket

For a picky crowd, you can omit the seasonings on top.

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Caramel Apple Dip

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Caramel Apple Dip

A caramel dip will entice kiddos to eat more fruit.

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Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Photo: Jennifer Davick
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