Circus Birthday Party Food Ideas

The circus conjures up images of clowns, elephants, snacks, face painting and hula hoops, so it's an easy theme to use for a birthday party. One element of a circus themed birthday party that you can have fun with is the food. In addition to traditional circus foods, like hot dogs, cotton candy and popcorn, you may want to include more substantial foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to keep kids from getting sick or too hyper.

Hot dogs are a quintessential circus food. Wrap them in foil to really create the circus look. Make sure to also have an area for condiments, including relish, ketchup, mustard and onions. Kids and adults will enjoy loading up their hot dogs. Cook the hot dogs ahead of time, unless you are having the party outside. If so, you can just grill them during the birthday party.

Another food that is associated with the circus is popcorn. Serve the popcorn in the traditional red and white bags that are found at the circus. To really make it authentic, rent or borrow a popcorn machine, like one found at the circus and use it at the party. Recruit a clown to serve popcorn to eager guests throughout the party.

Make clown cones for your circus themed birthday party. Fill sugar cones with one large scoop of ice cream. Quickly, turn it upside down, with the ice cream part down, and place into baking cups. The sugar cones will look like hats and the ice cream ball will look like the face. Decorate the faces as you like with icing or candy. They will have to be served quickly as the ice cream will melt.

Cotton candy is a welcome addition at any circus party. To serve cotton candy at the birthday party, obtain or rent a cotton candy machine. If you are unable to do so, you may also serve small bags of cotton candy that you create ahead of time.