Formal:
* A brood of hungry children (implies a large family)
* A gaggle of hungry children (suggests a group of young children)
* A swarm of hungry children (emphasizes the large number)
Informal:
* A bunch of hungry children
* A pack of hungry children
* A crew of hungry children
You can also use a descriptive phrase, like:
* A group of ravenous children
* A horde of famished children
* A crowd of starving children
Ultimately, the best choice depends on the tone and imagery you want to create.