Another kid party coming up? You’ve probably planned and
organized everything from party games to favors to who you’ll
invite… but what about the kid party food?
Birthday party food doesn’t have to take hours to prepare or
completely blow your budget. When it comes to kids and party
food, variety and presentation are the answer.
Rather than cooking a few specialty dishes, aim for serving lots
of small dishes of fun and kid-friendly finger foods.
Try to serve mainly savory foods and only a few sweet treats.
This will help avoid the dreaded sugar highs. Here are a few
time-tested party food tips.
Presenting Kid Party Food - Make it fun, fun, fun!
Honestly, it really doesn’t matter what you serve as long as you
wow them with the presentation. You want the kids to see the
table, light up and rush to their seats. Okay… so how do you do
that?
1. Plenty of color - Use colorful kid tableware, balloons,
serving bowls, etc.
2. Plenty of variety - Serve lots of small bowls or plates
containing a selection of different finger foods such as cut
fruit, bread sticks, mini muffins, mini wraps, crackers, cheese,
etc.
3. Serve Fun Foods - You can easily turn the most normal foods
into fun kid foods. Cut sandwiches with fun cookie cutter shapes
to make them more interesting or roll them into pinwheels, cup
up a selection of veggies and fruit and serve with a colorful
dip. Also make all foods kid size. Cut everything from pizzas to
hotdogs into small bite size pieces. This will make it easier to
eat and be more fun.
4. Personalize - I’ve found that using table setting tags with
individual names doesn’t work as kids will just rush to find the
first seat available. Instead tie a plain balloon to each chair
and using a black marker write each child’s name on a balloon in
large letters. Make a game out of each child finding their seat.
5. Keep it interesting - Play a calm game at the table. For
older kids have each one take turns in telling their favorite
foods or a funny joke. Sing or play songs for younger kids.
So what do you serve?
Here are some top favorite kid party foods:
Fun mini sandwiches and wraps.
Cut up fruit and veggies with dip.
Breadsticks and chocolate sprinkle dip.
Pizza fingers, chicken finger, fish fingers… anything fingers!
Potato wedges or mini baked potatoes.
A selection of small savory crackers, dried fruit, and a few
chocolate chips will make a fun trail mix.
Mini muffins.
Classic cheese and crackers with baby tomatoes in the center of
plate .
Small meatballs (chicken, pork or beef all work well).
With a little imagination you can turn most foods in your
kitchen cupboards into kid party food. Also, don’t go overboard
in the amount of food you provide. Most kids are so excited by
the actual party they will only lightly pick at their party
food… no matter how yummy it is.
So take it easy, prepare lots of quick finger foods, present it
nicely and most of all enjoy the day!
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