A menu having the little ones’ preferences in focus, while still keeping it healthier and wholesome. There’s plenty of variety and things to keep them well fed.
It could be tricky keeping the little ones happy when it comes to food. They might have some strong preferences and disliking for certain food items. There are some pointers which may help you when hosting a kid’s party:
Tips For Hosting a Kid’s Party
- Kids like to play. While you may want to keep the food as a main part of the event, it is much more fun for the kids if you focus on the playing part (at least initially). Plan several age appropriate games for the kids to take out their energy and build up an appetite before serving them food. In the meantime, you can offer them some savory snacks (check starters in the menu for suggestion) to keep the hunger at bay.
- You can involve the kids in the prep part. Like asking kids to choose their own pizza toppings and add them to their pizza, or decorating their own apple donuts. When the kids are involved in the prep process, they are more likely to eat the food too.
- When serving kids, offer a variety so they can have options to choose from. Also, keep the size of the portions (or food items) rather small. Offer them a test portion first. This will not only prevent food wastage, but also keeps the kids from getting overwhelmed looking at a big portion size. You can always offer second and third helpings if the kid likes it.
- Do not offer the kids sweet beverages or candies before the main course. This will subside their appetite and could also lead to kids being hyperactive with the sugar dose. Offer them desserts and drinks after they have eaten some savory food.
The Little Guests Menu
The recipes for the menu are linked below. Prep and serving suggestions are at the bottom.
STARTERS
Zucchini Fritters
Easy Cheesy Wings
MAINS
Spelt Flour Crust Pizza
Cheese Chooza
Boiled Rice
DESSERTS
You can choose to make either one or both of the desserts depending on your guests preferences.
Apple Donuts
Banana and Orange French Toast
DRINKS
Strawberry Vanilla Lassi
Prep
- Zucchini Fritters: You can prepare the fritters mixture a day in advance. Frying could be done up to an hour or two in advance. You can serve these at room temperature because kids cannot handle very hot food. If you also want to prepare the sour cream dip for the side, you can do it a day ahead as well and store in an air tight container.
- Easy Cheesy Wings: These are prepared in two steps. First is cooking them (in an instant pot or pan) until tender, and second is to bake them in the oven until crispy. You can do the step one a day ahead so you will only need to bake them in the oven before serving.
- Spelt flour Crust Pizza: You can prepare the dough about 2 hours before serving. The yeast needs time to act and make the dough rise. Then you can form mini pizza bases and ask kids to add topping of their choice. Its a fun activity for the kids, and also makes them more likely to eat the pizza they have made themselves.
- Cheese chooza: Its best to marinate the chicken for this recipe 24 hours in advance. The rest of the cooking can be done on the day of hosting as it doesn’t require a lot of time.
- Boiled rice: This could also be made fresh for serving.
- Apple Donuts: Prepare the cream cheese frosting ahead of time (a day ahead is alright). The apple needs to be cut before serving otherwise it will get brown. You can involve the kids by asking them to add sprinkles of their choice on their own donuts.
- Banana and Orange French Toast: You can prepare the french toasts a day or a few hours ahead of time. They taste good on room temperature as well.
- Strawberry Vanilla Lassi: This should be made just before serving. It tastes best when fresh.
Serving Suggestions
For kids, I recommend to serve most items on room temperature, except cheese chooza, rice and strawberry lassi. You can lay the starters on the table when the kids start to arrive. They can eat according to their appetite until you get the mains ready. After some playtime, when they get hungry serve the mains. But keep the starters on the table as well so they can have a variety of choice. Offer the drinks and desserts after they are done with their mains. You can keep a gap in between to let them work up their appetite for desserts/drinks.