
By Bronwyn Walker, April 2013
It's party time!
Healthy ideas for kids’ birthday parties

Kids parties are a time for celebration, fun and laughter with friends and family and the food can be a cause for celebration too!
“Back in my day’, I can hear my Aunty say ‘for kids birthday parties it was chocolate crackles, fairy bread and a lolly bag to take home!'. For most parents and kids this is what kids’ birthday parties were all about. The sugar rush, the colours, the sweet treats and the end result often being a party full of kids bouncing off the walls!!
To avoid too many sugary treats and to protect those precious little teeth, check out these great ideas to make kids’ party food healthier, fun and full of goodness!
Sweet Fruit Party Treats
Full of natural goodness and amazing colour, fresh fruit is a great option of kids. The secret is to make the fruit look appealing to kids, the addition of a little chocolate or a ‘special’ touch will enhance the appeal, decorate the platter with the theme of the party.
Fresh fruit platter full of colour
Kids love their fruit cut and ready eat. Arrange a colourful selection of fruit on a large platter. Good fruits for the perfect platter:
• Watermelon and rockmelon wedges
• Peeled pineapple wedges
• Whole strawberries with the green stalks taken off
• Small bunches of seedless grapes
• Gold and yellow kiwifruit wedges
Try:
Strawberries - dipped in chocolate
- Large strawberries skewered onto an icecream stick and the tip dipped into melted chocolate. Another option, lightly drizzle strawberries with melted chocolate (try a mixture of white and dark chocolate stripes for a fun affect). Chocolate melts are available in supermarkets and can be easily melted in the microwave ready for drizzling.
Fresh fruit kebabs drizzled with chocolate
- Wedges of peeled and chopped kiwifruit, melon and pineapple onto paddle-pop sticks and lightly drizzle with melted chocolate.
Fresh fruit jelly
- Add fresh fruits like seedless grapes to jellies. Add small marshmallows for a little treat.
Healthy Drinks
- For delicious drinks full of goodness, blend peeled and chopped fruit like watermelon or mango with ice to make a refreshing and colourful party drink.
Party Nibbles
- Savoury muffins - made with wholemeal flour or rice flour, cheese, herbs and some bacon, tasty treat and easy to eat
- Vegetable sticks like crisp celery and carrot served with an avocado dip (simply blend mashed avocado with lime juice or lemon juice, add a little salt) or a ready- made dip make the best nibbles instead of unhealthy chips cooked in sunflower or canola oil.
Let them eat cake
- Cupcakes are a great idea for kids parties, easy to eat and no need for plates, spoons or washing up!
- Make many and tower them up to look like one big cake
- Try blueberry or raspberry cupcakes made with wholemeal flour
- Or banana or carrot cupcakes made with cream cheese icing
Healthy kids party food doesn't have to be boring! Go on, bring out the big kid in you, let your imagination run wild!
Happy and healthy eating!




