Serving food at your child’s birthday party

Does your little one have a birthday approaching? Not only do many birthdays fall during summer, but the season also provides the perfect opportunity to throw a party. There’s just no competition for warm weather and more free time! Plus, planning for the festivities can be a lot of fun, especially when it comes to the food. Serve up a delicious arrangement of sweet treats with these tips:

Be aware of food allergies
Allergies are prevalent among kids, and food allergies can be downright dangerous. When kids eat a type of food their bodies are especially sensitive to, symptoms can range anywhere from a stomachache to an anaphylaxis reaction. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the most common food allergies among children include peanuts, milk, eggs and milk products. Peanut allergies can be especially menacing, so make sure you leave this item out of the food if any of your guests can’t eat peanuts.

Help determine who’s allergic to what by asking the parents of the attendees. Be sure to include RSVP directions on the party invitations, and ask parents about allergies when they call. Or, you can even include a note right on the invitation requesting food allergy information.

Take a twist on cake
Now that we’ve got safety out of the way, it’s time to focus on the fun foods! Cake is a classic when it comes to birthday parties, and it can be as extravagant or simple as you want. Is your little one hooked on pirates? Does your daughter love to dance? Based on his or her interests, you can work a theme into the whole party or just the cake.

If you’re looking for a simpler option, go with cupcakes instead. The individual servings will take away the need to cut up and serve pieces, as you’d have to do with a sheet cake. Plus, cupcakes are just more fun to eat! Kids will love digging into their own personal cakes.

Dip into veggies
It’s true – You can even serve vegetables at a kid’s birthday party. Believe it or not, kids aren’t finding veggies so scary anymore, especially if you’ve got a dip like ranch dressing around. Avoid overly leafy and earthy choices like kale or lettuce, and opt for carrots and celery sticks instead. Parents will appreciate the healthier options, and it’s a good solution for kids on special diets.

Bring on the pizza
This delicious dish is a lifesaver when it comes to kids’ birthday parties. Not only is pizza a hit with nearly every type of person, regardless of age, but it makes planning super easy. All you need to do is call the delivery guy! When choosing which kind to get, consider going with a thin crust, cheese pizza. First, kids are notorious for leaving the crust half eaten (though it’s arguably the best part). By opting for thin crust, you’ll get a cheaper deal and cut back on food waste. Second, for some kids, picking off the toppings just isn’t an option. Cheese pizza will please even the pickiest of eaters. Just buy some pepperoni to add on top for the little meat-lovers.

Provide plenty of water
Make sure there’s enough bottled water to go around when planning your summer birthday extravaganza. Yes, you’ll likely end up with half-empty bottles laying around your yard, but at least you’ll ensure all the kids are hydrated, especially on hot days. Plus, keeping them in a container will reduce your chance of stepping in a puddle of water on your kitchen floor from a spilled drink.

For a sweeter option, go with fruit juices rather than pop. Sugary drinks are bad enough, but add caffeine and your 5-year-old’s birthday party may turn into a zoo of overly energetic kids.

With the right variety of sweet treats and cool drinks, you’ll satisfy all your little party guests!