Let’s be honest. When you have a house full of kids, none of them are going to sit down for a plate of asparagus, drizzled with a delicious lemon sauce! Maybe at a party for the Queen, but the only queen around here is my drama queen, Erica!
Since our house tends to be the gathering place, I find it helpful to have some fun foods on hand. On typical play dates, the kids friends are only allowed to eat pretzels. This has been our standing rule for a very long time! Otherwise, my food bill would consume me. However, I of course make exceptions when we are babysitting, or kids are staying all day, having a late night, or spending the night. These are my secret weapons! The things that get eaten 99% of the time we have other kids over.
GRAPES: We had 4 kids over late on Friday night, with two of them staying all night. These kids are great. Whatever food I put out, they eat. If I put out chips, they would eat the chips. But of course I didn’t put out chips, I put out grapes.
Within a few hours, they had eaten them all! All $6 of them!

POPCORN: Need I say more! You can’t go wrong with popcorn!! We buy 8lbs at a time of popcorn kernels. (less than $0.20 for the entire bowl)

CHEX MIX While this may not be as popular around here as plain old popcorn, it gets eaten sometimes. Although I have to admit, chocolate chips or M&M’s are usually the first thing to go. I mix such things as
- popcorn
- pretzels
- dried fruit
- nuts
- chocolates
- cereal
Spread it out on a pan. Spray some butter flavored cooking spray and sprinkle with cinnamon. Then bake for a few minutes, just until the cinnamon sort of melts onto the mix.

CINNAMON CRISPS or CINNAMON CHIPS
These easy “chips” were just made with whole wheat tortillas. Sprayed with butter flavored cooking spray, and sprinkled with cinnamon. Baked until crispy. The neighbor kids love these. 8 crisps (one whole tortilla), approximately $0.30

Olives and cheese (one stick, $0.20 if I get the string cheese on sale.) Or just a bowl full of olives. Some kids like these, some don’t . Completely unpredictable.

DRINKS: Water. I always have plenty of cups. We have the water dispenser on our fridge, and as long as there is cup access, they feel the comfortable enough to get their own water, anytime! The benefit: I don’t freak out when it spills… and it ALWAYS SPILLS!
So, what snack food do you put out when there are extra kids in your home for sleepovers, hanging out, parties, etc?
