How to Plan a Children's Party Menu
One of the keys to planning a successful children's party is to keep the menu simple. Chances are, most of the kids will be busier playing than they are eating at the party. Allow for easy substitutions, and make a variety of kid-friendly small dishes that the children can pick and choose. Giving the kids a chance to help make their own food, too, keeps them happy and occupied. Be prepared for fussy eaters by keeping substitute meals on hand. Does this Spark an idea?
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Ask the parents if any of your prospective guests have any food allergies. If a child has allergies, such as to peanuts or dairy, avoid that ingredient in your menu altogether or plan to make or purchase an alternative meal for the child.
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Devise a menu practical to the setting and time of day. Take into account the age of the children. If you are having it at lunch time off-site -- at the community pool, for example -- organize a picnic. Make and bag a variety of sandwiches, such as peanut butter and jelly and peanut butter and apple. Avoid ingredients that will spoil in the sun, such as mayonnaise. Take along lemonade, juice boxes and plenty of vegetables and washed fruit. Baby carrots, celery sticks, apples and grapes make safe choices. If you are planning a party for older children and teenagers, plan a Mexican taco party. Serve nachos and allow children to assemble their own tacos. Put out cheese, diced tomatoes, olives and other toppings on a segmented platter. Transfer the ground meat, rice and beans to cool platters or bowls just prior to serving to prevent burns. A taco party can work off-site, as long as you have access to power; cook the meat, rice and beans at home and keep heated in crock pots.
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Choose foods that are fun to eat and that fit the theme of the party. If you are planning a luau, for example, offer "kid kebabs" of grilled chicken, chunks of pineapple and cherries on skewers. If the children are too young for sticks, remove them prior to serving. Place cubed cheese and other fruit in a hollowed-out pineapple, and serve rainbow-colored shaved ice for dessert. Or, have the kids make their own personal pan-sized pizzas. Place bowls on a serving tray with a variety of toppings, such as marinara sauce, cheese, pepperoni and pineapple. Give them ready-made pizza crusts if you'd rather skip the potentially messy and lengthy dough-making process. While the pizzas are in the oven, have the kids play a game.
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Plan to serve the food earlier in the party rather than later. It will likely take you longer than you expect to serve the food, especially if you are hosting a large party with toddlers or elementary-aged schoolchildren. Put out snack foods that won't easily spoil, such as crackers and pretzels, just before the children arrive. Ensure that you keep anything that may pose a choking hazard away from very young children.
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Plan for two drinks per child during the party. Keep a bag of paper cups handy, extra drink mix and juice boxes. Set out crayons or pens for guests to label their cups.
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Keep back-up food on hand that is quick and easy to prepare. Children can be very finicky eaters. If a child refuses to eat what you are serving, offer macaroni and cheese, spaghetti or a grilled cheese sandwich, among other basic choices.
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- Photo Credit macaroni and cheese image by JJAVA from Fotolia.com
