How To Create Healthy Party Snacks For Kids That
They Will Eat
Helen Thompson
Finding the right balance of healthy food that kids will eat at
parties can be quite a challenge, particularly with the
popularity and brand recognition of fast foods. However, with a
bit of creativity and effort you can make healthy food look
appetizing and fun to eat and here are a few tips.
Instead of serving bread with hundreds and thousands/sprinkles
on it, make a variety of sandwiches with different fillings,
for example cheese, ham, tuna, egg, cheese and tomato or tuna
and sweet corn. Small, quality sausages, such as chipolatas are
also an excellent addition to any party and popular with
children. The children are more likely to eat these if you
present them in a fun way.
Instead of lots of chocolate, place dried fruit on toothpicks,
ensuring that you use a variety off different colors to make it
look fun. You can also have muesli bars and you can buy carob
coated rice cakes. You could also make carob coated chocolate
rice krispies treats. You can use cornflakes as a wheat free
alternative but please ensure that you check the package in
case of children with allergies.
If you want to offer vegetarian, dairy free or wheat/gluten
free party food, then here are a few different ideas for you to
try:-
• If you are able to locate them, Scottish oatcakes (some
oatcakes may contain wheat or gluten - check the packages for
further details) are an excellent choice served with tuna and
sweet corn.
• For a sweet idea, rice cakes with a carob chocolate topping
or for a savory idea, you could add some cheese, pineapple,
aubergine (eggplant) or a variety of pureed vegetables. Make
sure that these are colorful to attract the children’s eye.
• You can add cheese to muffins (you can make these gluten
free) and place them under the grill. Try placing some fruit
and shredded zucchini (courgette) inside them also. You can
also make them into little pizzas and get the party boy/girl to
help you make them.
• Waffles are also another good idea (these may not be gluten
free though) and you can add all sorts of things, for example
pureed fruits as a sweet alternative or freshly cooked beans as
a savory topping.
• Tofu (bean curd) can also be used, although to make this
attractive to children, you will need to ensure that you serve
it in an interesting way. One way to do this is to slice the
tofu finely and then dip it into some beaten up egg. Then add
some sesame seeds and shallow fry it, serving it hot. The
adults may prefer this but nothing ventured nothing gained!
• Home made pizzas cut into small rectangles, so that the
children can eat them easily. You can add all sorts of
different flavors and pineapple and cheese, tomato and cheese,
or grated vegetables and cheese are excellent vegetarian
choices. If you have someone at the party who cannot eat wheat
or is a strict vegan, you can then add soya cheese and use
wheat free dough. You can ask the party girl/boy to help you
make them into funny faces. Getting the children involved with
what you are doing is always a great idea, since they will then
enjoy their party more as they have participated in the food
preparation.
• You can also offer a variety of foods on a stick, for example
cheese or fruit cubes.
• Falafels (a Lebanese delicacy made with chick peas).
• Rice crackers or pitta bread served with hummous and avocado
dip, with carrot, zucchini and celery.
About The Author: Helen Thompson is a qualified child care
worker (Nursery Nurse) and Brain Gym® consultant who has spent
many years working with children aged between 0 - 8 years. Her
website at
http://www.ChildLearningSupport.com includes
recipes, craft activities and more.
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