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What Are Some Good Kids' Party Food Ideas?

A Kaminsky
A Kaminsky

What is it about children’s parties that give moms hives? Why is it so panic-inducing to give a kids’ party? In a word: food. It seems many more children have food allergies these days, so when thinking about kids’ party food, it’s always a good idea to call the moms of each child on the guest list and find out if there are any allergies or special diets to consider.

If no one is allergic to peanuts, then the list of kids' party food increases exponentially, since most children love peanuts and peanut butter. A healthy snack is peanut butter on celery sticks, or having dry-roasted peanuts available. Fruit, other raw vegetables with ranch dip, and cheese cubes are all healthy party foods for kids. Most children, even those on special diets, can eat these examples of kids' party food.

Planning children's birthday parties can worry parents.
Planning children's birthday parties can worry parents.

For a smaller party, kids can help make their own party food. Split mini bagels or halved pitas are perfect little pizzas, and an assortment of toppings can be laid out so the guests can assemble their own pizzas, and an older child or Mom can toast them in the oven. Small triangles of bread can also be spread with peanut butter, raisins, bananas and other tasty toppings for mini sandwiches.

Individual cheeses can be served at a kids' party.
Individual cheeses can be served at a kids' party.

Soft pretzels are another great party food. Most children love them and they also can be served with a variety of sauces, including mustard, ketchup, marinara sauce, ranch dressing, and for the sweet tooth, chocolate sauce. Sliced apples with caramel dip also make good party food for kids. Almost anything that can be eaten with the fingers, in fact, appeals to children. Parents may want to limit true junk food such as chips, although these may be served in moderation. Mild salsa eaten with tortilla chips increases the nutritional value of the food, as well as being a tasty condiment.

Kids love brownies, making them a great dessert option for parties.
Kids love brownies, making them a great dessert option for parties.

Most children will be happy with a basic assortment of snacks and treats. Sweets can be kept to a minimum, so as not to send children home on a sugar high, but it is a party after all, and a few sweets are acceptable. Parents can keep the sugar content of the kids' party food lower by serving items such as sugar-free ice cream with a regular brownie or piece of cake. Most children will not be able to tell the difference.

If a parent plans ahead and thinks creatively, preparing kids' party food that is tasty and healthier is not nearly as daunting a task.

Discussion Comments

amypollick

Mini pigs in a blanket are also nearly always hits. Just roll mini-wieners in crescent dough and bake. Again, this is one that can be used with all kinds of dipping sauces, including the universal one: ketchup.

Georgesplane

@ Glasshouse- You gave some cool examples of party food that involve creating shapes. I have a few techniques that I could add to the list.

Kids love rolled foods. Little taquitos, flautas, and egg rolls are usually big hits. Add a few different dipping sauces and arrange them into towering piles, and your troop of kids will be happy.

If you don't want to go the fried food route, you can make rolled sandwiches. Stack luncheon meat and cheese on slices of wheat bread and roll them up, tying them off with a little piece of dried corn husk ribbon.

You can do the same with tuna or peanut butter and jelly (or thinly sliced bananas, honey, etc.). Just be sure to spread the toppings thin, and leave a little space around the edges so the toppings don't ooze out when you roll them.

Glasshouse

Cookie cutters can be useful in preparing finger foods for a kid’s party. You can use a star or heart shaped cookie cutter to cut stacks of corn tortillas. After you cut them, deep-fry them to make fun shaped tortilla chips. You can also use blue, white, and yellow corn tortillas to make the chip bowl even more interesting.

You can also use bigger cookie cutters to cut lunch meat, grilled cheese, and peanut butter sandwiches. A sandwich platter with fun shaped miniature sandwiches is sure to be a hit.

You can even use small cookie cutters to cut the skin off cucumber slices, and make fun shapes out of bell peppers. These are just a few creative ideas I can think of.

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    • Planning children's birthday parties can worry parents.
      By: corepics
      Planning children's birthday parties can worry parents.
    • Individual cheeses can be served at a kids' party.
      By: Ewa Brozek
      Individual cheeses can be served at a kids' party.
    • Kids love brownies, making them a great dessert option for parties.
      By: Kimberly Reinick
      Kids love brownies, making them a great dessert option for parties.
    • A chocolate ball-shaped cake makes a great birthday dessert for kids.
      By: razmarinka
      A chocolate ball-shaped cake makes a great birthday dessert for kids.
    • Kids will enjoy potato chips at a party.
      By: nataliazakharova
      Kids will enjoy potato chips at a party.
    • Air popped popcorn with no added butter or salt is a healthy snack for a kids' party.
      By: Przemyslaw Sitek
      Air popped popcorn with no added butter or salt is a healthy snack for a kids' party.
    • A children's party may feature a piñata that is stuffed with sweet treats, like hard candies and chocolate.
      By: bst2012
      A children's party may feature a piñata that is stuffed with sweet treats, like hard candies and chocolate.
    • Individual pizzas or pepperoni rolls are good for kids's parties.
      By: chas53
      Individual pizzas or pepperoni rolls are good for kids's parties.
    • Many children like mild salsa served with crispy tortilla chips.
      By: JJAVA
      Many children like mild salsa served with crispy tortilla chips.
    • Applesauce is a healthy snack option to serve at a kid's party.
      By: mitrs3
      Applesauce is a healthy snack option to serve at a kid's party.
    • Peanut butter can be used in snacks at a kids party.
      By: uckyo
      Peanut butter can be used in snacks at a kids party.
    • Junk foods including pizza and burgers are popular at kids' parties.
      By: freshidea
      Junk foods including pizza and burgers are popular at kids' parties.
    • Offering healthy options for a snack is always a good idea.
      By: Tim UR
      Offering healthy options for a snack is always a good idea.
    • Kids' parties usually include finger foods such as chicken wings.
      By: Kybele
      Kids' parties usually include finger foods such as chicken wings.