Planning a child’s birthday party is a stressful task, and planning the menu is half the battle. Although it’s tempting to serve the “simple classics,” such as chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese, they aren’t the healthiest options.
There are a variety of healthy foods that you can serve at your child’s next birthday party that are easy to prepare and will leave you feeling good.
Snack Foods
There are several different snacks that kids already love that are actually pretty healthy options. Popcorn, for example, is a decent snack that’s easy to serve. Simply skip the extra butter and go instead with a light sea salt instead. The kids will love a, easy crunchy snack to munch on and all you have to do is stick the bags in the microwave.
For something healthy, and delicious, put out a platter of pita chips and hummus. Hummus comes in a variety of flavors, from everything bagel to honey mustard, and can be paired with pretzels or veggies. Add some veggies to the tray for dipping, and include ranch dressing as a dip option for the hummus haters.
Dinner
If you want to serve a meal, embrace the kebob. Children get the biggest kick out of eating things off of a stick, and they are easy to prepare. Grill up some chicken skewers with chicken, cheese, green peppers, onions, and other veggies.
Consider serving baked sweet potato fries on the side, which are sweet and savory. Yum!
Desserts
You don’t have to skip dessert in order to have healthy food options. Instead of baking tons of cookies or a large cake, consider making popsicles using fruit and yogurt. You can use virtually any smoothie recipe that’s filled with sweet fruits and yogurt, blend the ingredients, and freeze them into popsicles. Children love popsicles and they are a cool treat for summer parties.
If you plan to keep your birthday party foods healthy, consider incorporating some healthy party activities as well. New Joy Entertainment has pony rides, bounce houses, and more available for rent, all of which will help children burn off some energy and keep them moving!