Kid Party Food - Without the Stress!

Kid party food doesn't have to take hours to prepare or completely blow your budget. When it comes to kids and party food, variety and presentation are the answer.

Rather than cooking a few specialty dishes, aim for serving lots of small dishes of fun and kid-friendly finger foods.

Try to serve mainly savory foods and only a few sweet treats. This will help avoid the dreaded sugar highs. Here are a few time-tested party food tips.

Presenting Kid Party Food - Make it fun, fun, fun!

Honestly, it really doesn't matter what you serve as long as you wow them with the presentation. You want the kids to see the table, light up and rush to their seats. Okay? so how do you do that?

1. Plenty of color - Use colorful kid tableware, balloons, serving bowls, etc.

2. Plenty of variety - Serve lots of small bowls or plates containing a selection of different finger foods such as cut fruit, bread sticks, mini muffins, mini wraps, crackers, cheese, etc.

3. Serve Fun Foods - You can easily turn the most normal foods into fun kid foods. Cut sandwiches with fun cookie cutter shapes to make them more interesting or roll them into pinwheels, cup up a selection of veggies and fruit and serve with a colorful dip. Also make all foods kid size. Cut everything from pizzas to hotdogs into small bite size pieces. This will make it easier to eat and be more fun.

4. Personalize - I've found that using table setting tags with individual names doesn't work as kids will just rush to find the first seat available. Instead tie a plain balloon to each chair and using a black marker write each child's name on a balloon in large letters. Make a game out of each child finding their seat.

5. Keep it interesting - Play a calm game at the table. For older kids have each one take turns in telling their favorite foods or a funny joke. Sing or play songs for younger kids.

So what do you serve?

Here are some top favorite kid party food ideas:

Fun mini sandwiches and wraps.

Cut up fruit and veggies with dip.

Breadsticks and chocolate sprinkle dip.

Pizza fingers, chicken finger, fish fingers? anything fingers!

Potato wedges or mini baked potatoes.

A selection of small savory crackers, dried fruit, and a few chocolate chips will make a fun trail mix.

Mini muffins.

Classic cheese and crackers with baby tomatoes in the center of plate .

Small meatballs (chicken, pork or beef all work well).

With a little imagination you can turn most foods in your kitchen cupboards into kid party food. Also, don't go overboard in the amount of food you provide. Most kids are so excited by the actual party they will only lightly pick at their party food? no matter how yummy it is.

So take it easy, prepare lots of quick finger foods, present it nicely and most of all enjoy the day!

Mila Sidman is a mom of three and the creator of http://www.easy-kid-recipes.com - A leading website providing simple, kid-friendly recipes, nutritional information, meal planning tips, fun kid cooking projects and much more.

---

Try Truffles!

Want to serve an elegant, yet easy, dessert? Try truffles.... Read More

How to Easily Make Sourdough French Toast Like Cracker Barrel

I got an idea one day when I was in... Read More

Making Pancake Batter the Night Before (with Recipe)

Mornings are hectic. If you make your pancake batter the... Read More

Weight Loss Recipe: Spicy Chicken Cacciatore

Just because you are watching your weight, doesn't mean the... Read More

Dining With The Romans

Numerius was a slave and ate one meal a day... Read More

Wonderful Holiday Recipe Ideas

The Holiday Season is upon us and soon we will... Read More

Mays Featured Holidays and Recipes

There are three great days in the month of May... Read More

Chicken Adobo

This particular recipe is Phillipian. Here are the ingredients you... Read More

Weight Loss Recipe: Fish In Orange Sauce

Lean protein is your diet is essential to weight loss... Read More

Teas from Wild Plants and Their Benefits

All these teas (unless specified) are brewed with one teaspoon... Read More

No Bake Cookies Are Easy to Make and Fun to Eat

Got an urge for a homemade cookie snack but don't... Read More

Seafood Fettuccine Alfredo

Seafood Fettuccine is always a top seller in our restaurants.... Read More

Low Fat French Toast

French toast was one of my favorite breakfast foods when... Read More

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

You will need:1 (18.25 ounce) box yellow cake mixFrostingSprinkles or... Read More

Banana Pudding and Vanilla Wafers... the Perfect Crowd Pleaser!

Next time someone signs you up for "dessert duty" at... Read More

Easy-Cheesy Casserole

I have always loved mac-n-cheese, and this variation is one... Read More

Chocolate Tasting Techniques

First of all start with an empty stomach. This has... Read More

Going Halfway Around the World: How to Make German Cookies

I absolutely loved experimenting with foreign recipes, especially dessert recipes,... Read More

My Mothers Recipe Box

Remember the days when cookbooks weren't so readily available, and... Read More

Easy Trail Mixes

Before you set off on your next family walk or... Read More

Chili Recipe - A Red Chili Nightmare!

This chili recipe is, indeed, a really nightmare! Taste it... Read More

Spanish Food - How To Make Spicy Gazpacho Soup.

Home-made soups are so good for you - all that... Read More

Straight Talk from a Comfort Foodie - Simpler Times

When it was unfolding, I never thought I lived in... Read More

Rib-Eye Steak with Mushrooms and Bleu Cheese

This is a mouth watering steak. Every time I serve... Read More

Low Fat Pasta: Why and How to Make it.

Making your own pasta is not difficult. It's actually very... Read More