Hosting a successful kid’s birthday party isn’t easy. It can be hard to walk that fine line between providing healthy food for kids that they will enjoy eating. While it can be an acceptable occasion to break out lollies and cake, it’s good to have some healthier options available to. But how do you make sure that these tasty treats get eaten? Try out our menu ideas below and you won’t have to worry about leftovers.
Why Vary the Menu:
Kids can be picky eaters and hesitant to try new foods. However, a party is actually the perfect time to introduce new food to kids. They may be more interested in trying new foods if they see other children doing the same.
Similarly, by ensuring you have a wide range of foods available, you can be sure even the pickiest eater won’t go hungry. And any parent knows how emotional children can become when they’re hungry.
And serving healthier food at birthday parties can also make for a better party. Foods high in sugar and saturated fat can often lead to tantrums as kids peak and then crash quickly. But healthier foods will give kids the energy to keep playing and having fun all day long, as well as keeping them full and satisfied for longer.
So what food should be on the menu next time you host a birthday party?
Healthy and Fun Ideas
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Mini tacos: These bite-size favourites are perfect for kids to get hands on and involved in making their snacks. Set up bowls with shredded lettuce and cheese, beans, and diced tomato and watch as kids have fun making their ideal tacos.
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Rainbow pizzas: Everyone loves pizza and kids will adore getting to make their own. Make it magical by providing a rainbow of colourful vegetables and toppings to choose from. Encourage kids to be creative and make fun patterns or shapes. And then get ready to enjoy a tasty meal, fresh from the oven.
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Skewers: Kids will love eating favourite foods in this different way. Have some wooden skewers available for kids to put together their favourite treats, like lunch meat, cubed cheese and chopped veggies.
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Frozen yogurt popsicles: Frozen yogurt popsicles are best for summer parties. You can make your own the day before or purchase some from the store. A better alternative to ice cream, these treats have less sugar and will help fill kids up.
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Zucchini slice or mini quiches: Zucchini slice and mini quiches are universally great ways to get kids to eat veggies without them even knowing. These egg-cellent treats are full of protein to keep kids full and all kinds of veggies can easily be mixed in. They can also easily be made as finger food, so kids can grab a quick snack before getting back to playing.
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Chopped veggies and dips: Although simple, chopped veggies and a selection of dips can be a real winner at your party. It’s an easy snack that everyone can enjoy, and you can even make it extra exciting by displaying it in a fun way. Spell out words or create fun shapes and patterns with the veggies and dip.
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Fruit salad: When the kids are craving a sweet snack, it’s time to bring out the fruit salad. Packed full of vitamins and energy, it’s hard to beat a fruit salad. And an easy way to make it fun for kids is to use skewers to create fruit salad magic wands. Skewer the fruit and then use a star-shaped cookie cutter on a melon to make that all-important magic topper.
Something special
A good diet is made up of regularly eating healthy food, but you can have other foods as well on special occasions too — like a birthday party. These are some of our favourites.
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Sausage rolls or party pies: Everyone loves sausage rolls or party pies. They are easy to make andor you can buy them from the supermarket. Make sure you serve them with tomato sauce.
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Cake pops or cupcakes: Get kids involved in a fun baking activity by helping to decorate cupcakes or cake pops. Then they can eat their creations.
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Fairy bread:It wouldn’t be a birthday party in Australia without fairy bread. This classic dish can be whipped up in as little as five minutes before guests arrive.
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Jelly oranges:Keep the orange peel from the fruit salad to create these fun jelly dishes. Set the jelly in orange peel and kids will love this fun twist on a favourite.
Of course, the most special treat at a birthday party is of course the birthday cake! Don’t forget the candles either.
Conclusion:
Organising a birthday party for your child can feel like a herculean task and you may feel tempted to put in minimal effort when it comes to the menu. But stick at it and you can create a menu of delightful and healthy foods for kids to enjoy to help them have a better time.
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