How to Host a Gluten-free Kids' Birthday
Between the birthday cake, the ice cream, the pizza and the goody bags, food is a key element for any kids' birthday party and your guests will be expecting some tasty treats. For children who can't consume gluten because of celiac disease or gluten sensitivities, birthdays can be difficult; they may feel left out of the activities or singled out. When the birthday child is the one living with allergies, it is the hosts' responsibility to ensure that he is able to have the best birthday possible, and this includes making sure he can enjoy the food. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Gluten-free cake mix
- Gluten-free icing
- Gluten-free ice cream
- Phone numbers of local pizza restaurants
- Goody bags
- Gummy candy
- Potato or tortilla chips
- Party favors
Instructions
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Hosting a Gluten-free Kids' Birthday Party
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Invite guests as usual. Ask if any of the children attending have allergies, so you can accommodate their dietary needs as well. There is no need to explain that your party is gluten-free.
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Call your local pizza chain or restaurant and ask if they carry gluten-free pizzas, as many have this option available now. If they do, order enough for all the children. If not, buy enough all-beef sausages or hot dogs and regular buns for all the children. Also, buy one package of gluten-free buns to serve to the birthday child.
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Buy a gluten-free cake mix; many name brands manufacture mixes that are delicious and very similar to cake containing gluten. Prepare the cake before the party according to the directions and frost it; many frostings are already gluten-free, but check the label to be sure. If you are feeling ambitious, make a gluten-free cake from scratch using a recipe.
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Make or buy small bags to fill as goody bags. Put small packages of gummy candy in as treats. Also include some non-edible items, such as miniature plastic animals or games.
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Put out bowls of tortilla chips and salsa or potato chips as snacks. Fruit trays and cheese cubes are also always gluten-free.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are wary of serving substitute foods that are markedly different from gluten-containing food they are meant to replace, such as pizza crust or cookies, you can avoid these. Host a sundae bar and the children will hardly notice the absence of cake, and hamburgers can easily replace pizza.
If the label doesn't clearly say "gluten-free," check labels carefully to be sure a product does not contain wheat or a wheat by-product.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit birthday cake and hat image by Gina Smith from Fotolia.com
