Children's food portions vary by age. Toddlers (1–3) eat about 30% of an adult portion, preschoolers (4–6) about 50%, school-age kids (7–12) about 70%, and teens nearly adult-sized portions. For a 2–3 hour party, plan 1 main dish + 2 snacks + 1 dessert + 1.5 drinks per child per hour. Our calculator automatically adjusts based on age group and party duration.

A large pizza (14") typically has 8 slices. Adults eat ~3 slices each. Children eat fewer depending on age: toddlers ~1 slice, preschoolers ~1.5 slices, school-age ~2 slices, teens ~2.5 slices. For 12 school-age kids + 4 adults, you'd need roughly 4–5 large pizzas. Always round up — leftover pizza is never a problem! Our tool gives you both the exact estimate and the recommended purchase quantity.

Essential decorations include: balloons (1 bunch of 3–5 per 2 guests), a themed banner, tablecloths (1 per 8-seat table), disposable tableware (plates, cups, napkins, utensils — count 1.5× guests for backups), and party hats or themed props. For birthday parties, add candles and a cake topper. For outdoor events, consider extra weights for balloons and wind-resistant décor. Our calculator provides a full checklist tailored to your headcount.

Plan 1–2 cups per person per hour. For a 2.5-hour party with 16 people (12 kids + 4 adults), that's ~40–60 cups total. A 2L soda bottle serves ~8 cups; a gallon of juice serves ~16 cups. We recommend a mix of water, juice, and a fun drink (like punch or lemonade). Always have extra water available, especially for outdoor or active parties. Our tool breaks this down by drink type and container size.

Party budgets vary widely. As a rough guide per guest (including kids and adults): Economy: $8–12/person (homemade food, minimal décor), Standard: $15–25/person (pizza/catering, themed décor, goodie bags), Premium: $30–50+/person (professional catering, entertainment, elaborate decorations). For a standard 12-kid birthday party with 4 adults, expect to spend $240–$400 total. Our calculator provides an itemized estimate so you can see exactly where costs go.

Prepare 1 goodie bag per child, plus 2–3 extras for unexpected siblings or last-minute guests. Goodie bag contents typically include: small toys, stickers, candy, and a thank-you note. Budget $3–$8 per bag depending on your overall budget level. Pro tip: avoid items that are choking hazards for toddler parties, and consider non-candy alternatives like bubbles, coloring books, or play-doh for younger children.

Absolutely yes! Parents and helpers get hungry too. Adults typically eat full portions — plan 3 slices of pizza, 2+ drinks, and snacks per adult. Many hosts forget to count themselves and other supervising adults, leading to food shortages. Our calculator includes both kids and adults separately, ensuring everyone is well-fed. A good rule of thumb: the adult-to-child ratio at kids' parties is usually 1 adult per 3–5 children.