Holidays & Occasions Birthday Easy Birthday Party Recipes Kids Will Love (And You Will Too!) By Jenna Sims Jenna Sims Jenna is a Digital Editor for Southern Living and joined the team in 2014. She writes, produces, and assigns content with a focus on email growth and commerce content. She covers a range of topics in the lifestyle space from holiday gift guides to new product launches to tips for cooking with your air fryer. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on September 2, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Micah A. Leal 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. 01 of 22 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 dough3 oz. pizza sauce½ teaspoon dried basil½ teaspoon dried oregano¼ teaspoon salt¼ cup pepperoni1 cup Cheddar Jack cheese, shredded½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded 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. 02 of 22 Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Micah A. Leal Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookie CakeIf the honoree likes cake and cookies, this recipes brings the best of both together. 03 of 22 Bacon Bow Tie Crackers Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Tami Hardeman Recipe: Bacon Bow Tie CrackersDepending 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. 04 of 22 Funfetti Sugar Cookies Jennifer Causey Recipe: Funfetti Sugar CookiesYou'll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to make homemade sugar cookies. 05 of 22 Crack Crackers Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Anna Hampton Recipe: Crack CrackersElevate cheese crackers with ranch dressing mix for an easy kid-pleasing snack. 06 of 22 Cream Soda Confetti Sheet Cake Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Cream Soda Confetti Sheet CakeThis cake can be refrigerated for up to three days, so you can prepare before the day of the party. 07 of 22 Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Jennifer Causey Recipe: Brown Butter Chocolate Chip CookiesNo matter the crowd, chocolate chip cookies are always a good idea. 08 of 22 Sheet Pan Nachos Greg DuPree Recipe: Sheet Pan NachosCreate a nacho bar by offering various toppings like onions, avocado, sour cream, cilantro, and tomatoes. 09 of 22 Party-Perfect Meatballs Photo: Brie Passano Recipe: Party-Perfect MeatballsUse the warm setting on your slow cooker to ensure they're ready to serve throughout the party. 10 of 22 Classic Birthday Cake Micah A. Leal Recipe: Classic Birthday CakeClear vanilla extract is essential in this recipe for providing the nostalgic flavor of a classic birthday cake. 11 of 22 Mini Potato Skins Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop styling: Claire Spollen; Food styling: Chelsea Zimmer Recipe: Mini Potato SkinsA party-perfect snack. 12 of 22 Homemade Pretzels Micah A. Leal Recipe: Homemade PretzelsServe with your choice of dipping sauce. 13 of 22 Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes Micah Leal Recipe: Fresh Strawberry CupcakesNo artificial flavors or colors needed. 14 of 22 Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce Photo: Hector Sanchez Recipe: Meatball Sliders with Tomato SauceLet your slow cooker do the work cooking the sauce while you prepare the meatballs. 15 of 22 Cheddar Cheese Straws Lee Harrelson Recipe: Cheddar Cheese StrawsMost of the ingredients for this easy snack can be found in your pantry. 16 of 22 Chocolate Marble Sheet Cake Photo: Jennifer Davick Recipe: Chocolate Marble Sheet CakeWith a marble cake, you don't have to choose between flavors. Preparing it on a sheet cake makes cutting and serving a breeze. 17 of 22 Homemade Onion Dip Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Homemade Onion DipThis homemade version of a party classic will become an instant favorite. 18 of 22 Mini-Cheeseburgers Tina Cornett Recipe: Mini-CheeseburgersSometimes burgers just taste better in slider form. 19 of 22 Mini Deep-Dish Pizzas Southern Living Recipe: Mini Deep-Dish PizzasThe best kind of party is a pizza party. 20 of 22 Chicks in a Blanket Hector Sanchez Recipe: Chicks in a BlanketFor a picky crowd, you can omit the seasonings on top. 21 of 22 Caramel Apple Dip Jennifer Davick Recipe: Caramel Apple DipA caramel dip will entice kiddos to eat more fruit. 22 of 22 Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Photo: Jennifer Davick Recipe: Vanilla Bean Ice CreamPut your best foot forward with this homemade ice cream. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit