How to Make Healthy Birthday Treats

Taking birthday treats to school for the class is one of the highlights of the school year for most kids. But with child obesity on the rise, it's important not to overload the school day with high-fat, high-sugar surprises. Getting creative about birthday treats will help you serve up a healthy bit of fun for your child's class.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Talk with your child's teachers and see what they would like to do about birthday treats during the school year. Find out if is they are open to creative birthday celebrations.
2. Get together with other parents in your child's classroom and come up with an equitable plan for bringing in treats. If all 30 kids in the class bring cupcakes, that's a whole month of extra sweets.
3. Think about other ways to celebrate. Ask your teacher if you can bring in your child's favorite game or book to share with the class. This gives the kids a great break from regular class work.
4. Purchase small non-edible treats for your child's class. Festive bags filled with pencils, balloons or other trinkets are a great substitute for sweets.
5. Give out sweets that can be taken home and eaten later. That way kids only get what their parents want them to have.
6. Collect school supplies for the Salvation Army in honor of your child. Have each classmate bring one or two things and have fun putting together a big box for those less fortunate.
7. Help teachers make the day special by having the birthday child wear a special hat, be the class line leader or the star student for the entire week of their birthday.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure that any healthy snack you bring to school follows your school guidelines for safety. If yours is a nut-free school, read labels carefully before providing any edible treats.