What about Mummy Dogs? I made them last for year for my DGS's and they loved them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mummy Dogs

I think pigs in a blanket is a great idea, and if you use the tubes of pre-made crescent rolls it's really easy. Just wrap the hot dogs in the dough and bake at whatever time/temp is on the package. Serve with catsup and mustard and a vegie platter and you've got it covered.

Becky

I'd be lazy and make a pot of little smokies in a ketchup-ey sauce and serve it next to a big pot of Kraft mac and cheese....if if you want to be fancy make your own mac and cheese from one of the wonderful recipes here.
Linda C

My first thought was the same as Linda's. Is it too messy?

I like the pigs-in-a blanket idea. When I make them for a crowd I use the crescent roll dough, but slice each triangle in two lengthwise, making a very elongated triangle, and buy those large packs of cocktail weiners and sausages. If I have time I will coat the inside of the dough with mustard, a little catsup, Parmesan cheese, or anything else flavorful to give them a little zing. Even a tiny dollop of strawberry jam is good. (Don't knock it till you've tried it!)

Making the smaller size helps with cost, and they don't require a dinner-sized plate to carry around as they're true finger food. I can generally get 20 or 30 on a half-sheet pan, so numbers shouldn't be a problem.

I found this recipe for quesadillas:

Party Quesadillas
By Lori Longbotham

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 to 10 minutes
Serves: 12 servings

12 eight-inch flour tortillas
3 cups grated Monterey jack cheese (about 12 ounces)
6 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
6 thin scallions, finely chopped
fresh cilantro sprigs for garnish, optional
Optional extras: roasted poblano peppers, shredded cooked chicken, salsa, guacamole, sour cream

Choose the fillings and garnish the platter.

1. Prepare charcoal for grilling, heat a gas grill on medium, or heat a medium skillet or griddle over medium-high heat on the stove.

2. Grill tortillas (in batches) on one side for 30 to 45 seconds; flip and top 6 of them with 1/2 cup cheese, 1 tablespoon cilantro, a chopped scallion, and any other toppings, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. Top each tortilla with another to create the quesadillas. Cook for 2 to 4 minutes on each side, or until cheese is melted and tortilla is golden.

3. Remove the quesadillas to a cutting board, and cut each into 4 wedges.

To Serve: Pile wedges ona platter, garnish with sprig of cilantro, and top with mild salsa, guacamole, and sour cream if desired.

PER SERVING (1 quesadilla): 202 calories, 10 g fat (5.4 g saturated), 18 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 153 mg sodium, 25 mg cholesterol, 1.5 mg iron, 262 mg calcium.

Here is a link that might be useful: Party Quesadillas

great ideas here!

I got this one from this very forum - but I failed to recognize its contributor...I'm sorry!

Barbecue Cups

This recipe was beloved by my boys and I never had an adult turn up their nose at them either! You can make Pizza cups by subing pizza sauce for the BBQ sauc and using mozzarella in place of the cheddar.
Barbecue Cups
Makes 6 servings.
Printed from Allrecipes, Submitted by Karen
3/4 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup barbeque sauce
1 tablespoon dried minced onion or a little chopped fresh onion
1 (12 ounce) package refrigerated biscuit dough
1/3 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease the cups of a muffin pan.
In a large heavy skillet over medium heat, cook beef until evenly brown. Drain excess fat. Stir in barbeque sauce and dried onion. [Teresa's notes: I add a TB of brown sugar also.] Simmer for a few minutes over low heat.
Flatten each biscuit, and press into cups of the prepared muffin pan. Make sure the dough comes to the top of the pan. Spoon a portion of the meat mixture into each dough cup.
Bake in preheated oven for 12 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese, and bake for 3 more minutes.

Mini grilled cheese sandwiches and tater tots???

I would do an arrangement of roll up or pin wheels...turkey, ham, salami rolled with cheese...PB&J on a whole wheat tortilla slices into pinwheels....hot cocoa with a little red food coloring looks like blood-hope its not too gruesome!!

Cheers!
Susie

Picky kids full of candy - Twenty of them? I'd go with tried and true chicken fingers and little weinies. Or mini corndogs. If that's what they like, let 'em have it. The kids'll love you for it. Much easier than wrapping 100 little weiners or that much mac n cheese or 20 sandwiches. When they grow up they can be gourmands. For now, let them enjoy kid foods while you and their parents enjoy your chili.

Sounds like a fun party! Don't work too hard on kid foods.

I make pigs in blankets with store bought pizza dough. I "roll" it out as best as I can and then use a 1 1/2" round cookie cutter. Simply wrap each circle around the hotdog and pinch the seal. Do a trayful now and freeze. Once frozen, toss them in a freezer bag until halloween.

I would expect a good trade for the pigs in blankets. Probably wouldn't take less then a bite size snickers.

Jo

There really is nothing wrong with chicken fingers. Give them a few different dipping sauces if you want to have a little variety. Don't knock yourself out when they do prefer simple. You could probably make them happy with grilled cheese too or the quesadillas. Never known a kid to turn that down. Maxmom - YES on the strawberry jam. My DD couldn't eat bologna sandwiches without the strawberry jam. He got all us kids started on it. You're right, don't knock it til you've tried it.

Thanks for all the thoughtful suggestions! My friend told me she wanted to help and do the kid food for the party, so I'm off the hook. Five of the kid guests (including TWO sets of twins) are her children so I know she'll come up with something good.