Greetings!

It's been forever since I last posted here. I am so glad to see this
group has survived - so many of my others have not

We're having a 3rd birthday party for my daughter. It'll be a Sat
afternoon, 3-6pm, aimed mainly at kids but some parents present. It
will be followed by a much larger party, including adults and kids for
the evening (sort of a block party with a few houses).

I'm stumped for food for the kiddos. Ages will range from a few months
to about 7 yrs. It's not really a meal time, but I gather I need more
than cake It'll also be hotter than h*ll. It's been in the 100s
here and doesn't look to give anytime soon. I reallllllllly don't want
to grill anything. Cooking inside is cooler, but I'd rather have
stuff I can prepare in advance.

I'll have a bunch more food for the evening party, and usually do a
huge array of heavy appetizers, but I figure I need something for the
kids' as well. Not Pizza. Healthy is nice - and many of these kids
come from families who don't do fast-food, but it doesn't *have* to be
healthy, it is a party afterall. Ideally, an array of kid-friendly
appetizers could work, late afternoon snack type stuff. Any
suggestions? My kid eats rather grown up food (smelly expensive
French cheese and pate, or even foie gras are favourites...go figure)
but not exactly what I want to serve to a group of kids! Her
favourite afternoon snack is plain yoghurt mixed with pureed fruit,
but that's not really party-friendly.

Thanks!

On Jul 13, 10:06 pm, cjra > wrote:
> Greetings!
>
> It's been forever since I last posted here. I am so glad to see this
> group has survived - so many of my others have not
>
> We're having a 3rd birthday party for my daughter. It'll be a Sat
> afternoon, 3-6pm, aimed mainly at kids but some parents present. It
> will be followed by a much larger party, including adults and kids for
> the evening (sort of a block party with a few houses).
>
> I'm stumped for food for the kiddos. Ages will range from a few months
> to about 7 yrs. It's not really a meal time, but I gather I need more
> than cake It'll also be hotter than h*ll. It's been in the 100s
> here and doesn't look to give anytime soon. I reallllllllly don't want
> to grill anything. Cooking inside is cooler, but I'd rather have
> stuff I can prepare in advance.
>
> I'll have a bunch more food for the evening party, and usually do a
> huge array of heavy appetizers, but I figure I need something for the
> kids' as well. Not Pizza. Healthy is nice - and many of these kids
> come from families who don't do fast-food, but it doesn't *have* to be
> healthy, it is a party afterall. Ideally, an array of kid-friendly
> appetizers could work, late afternoon snack type stuff. Any
> suggestions? My kid eats rather grown up food (smelly expensive
> French cheese and pate, or even foie gras are favourites...go figure)
> but not exactly what I want to serve to a group of kids! Her
> favourite afternoon snack is plain yoghurt mixed with pureed fruit,
> but that's not really party-friendly.
>
> Thanks!

I should add, there's no real theme to build around, other than "kids
have fun".....

cjra wrote:
> Greetings!
>
> It's been forever since I last posted here. I am so glad to see this
> group has survived - so many of my others have not
>
> We're having a 3rd birthday party for my daughter.

>
> I'm stumped for food for the kiddos. Ages will range from a few months
> to about 7 yrs.

> I need something for the
> kids' as well. Not Pizza. Healthy is nice - and many of these kids
> come from families who don't do fast-food, but it doesn't *have* to be
> healthy, it is a party afterall. Ideally, an array of kid-friendly
> appetizers could work, late afternoon snack type stuff.


I'd try a platter of fruit kabobs, not too large. Melon balls or chunks
on bamboo skewers or toothpicks. Cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon or
strawberries are pretty and most kids seem to like them. Maybe fresh
pineapple cubes and papaya. Cheese cubes and cubes of turkey or skewers
of teriyaki chicken.

Baby carrots, slivers of colored peppers, celery all served with
ranch dressing or fruit yogurt as a dip. Little wedges of quesadilla.
Plain crackers topped with cheese.

Little shapes cut out of bread with fancy cookie cutters (or just little
rounds) spread with apricot, strawberry, or raspberry jam. I'd say
peanut butter, too, but so many kids are allergic it's not worth the
potential problems.

Note that I have listed mostly fresh things, nothing fried or sugary.

I'd not make any of these too large because after one tiny bite it might
be disposed of because a child didn't like it.

In general most kids are intrigued with what looks "fancy" even if it
is just a different shape.

Happy Birthday to A!

gloria p

On Jul 13, 10:36 pm, Gloria P > wrote:
> cjra wrote:
> > Greetings!
>
> > It's been forever since I last posted here. I am so glad to see this
> > group has survived - so many of my others have not
>
> > We're having a 3rd birthday party for my daughter.
>
> > I'm stumped for food for the kiddos. Ages will range from a few months
> > to about 7 yrs.
> > I need something for the
> > kids' as well. Not Pizza. Healthy is nice - and many of these kids
> > come from families who don't do fast-food, but it doesn't *have* to be
> > healthy, it is a party afterall. Ideally, an array of kid-friendly
> > appetizers could work, late afternoon snack type stuff.
>
> I'd try a platter of fruit kabobs, not too large. Melon balls or chunks
> on bamboo skewers or toothpicks. Cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon or
> strawberries are pretty and most kids seem to like them. Maybe fresh
> pineapple cubes and papaya. Cheese cubes and cubes of turkey or skewers
> of teriyaki chicken.
>
> Baby carrots, slivers of colored peppers, celery all served with
> ranch dressing or fruit yogurt as a dip. Little wedges of quesadilla.
> Plain crackers topped with cheese.
>
> Little shapes cut out of bread with fancy cookie cutters (or just little
> rounds) spread with apricot, strawberry, or raspberry jam. I'd say
> peanut butter, too, but so many kids are allergic it's not worth the
> potential problems.
>
> Note that I have listed mostly fresh things, nothing fried or sugary.
>
> I'd not make any of these too large because after one tiny bite it might
> be disposed of because a child didn't like it.
>
> In general most kids are intrigued with what looks "fancy" even if it
> is just a different shape.
>
> Happy Birthday to A!
>
> gloria p

Great ideas Gloria! Thanks! You've got my mind working now - I was
drawing a blank before.

I'd thought of fruit but not the skewers and couldn't figure out how
to do it w/o a mess....

And thanks for the birthday wishes. Usually we do just the evening
party, but this year I decided she needed a kids' party. I am thinking
I am crazy to plan it this way. Next year we'll move our "annual
summer bash" to Spring!

On Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:06:40 -0700 (PDT), cjra >
wrote:

>I'm stumped for food for the kiddos. Ages will range from a few months
>to about 7 yrs. It's not really a meal time, but I gather I need more
>than cake It'll also be hotter than h*ll. It's been in the 100s
>here and doesn't look to give anytime soon. I reallllllllly don't want
>to grill anything. Cooking inside is cooler, but I'd rather have
>stuff I can prepare in advance.

Kids that age like popcorn (caramelize it for adults) and hot dogs.
I'd make jello wigglers, but I live in a cool climate where it won't
melt. How about watermelon or fruit shish kabob? Trail mix is grab
and go as is the all hallowed marshmallow treat (oops, that's too
sticky for your heat).

--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

cjra said...

> I'm stumped for food for the kiddos. Ages will range from a few months
> to about 7 yrs. It's not really a meal time, but I gather I need more
> than cake It'll also be hotter than h*ll. It's been in the 100s
> here and doesn't look to give anytime soon. I reallllllllly don't want
> to grill anything. Cooking inside is cooler, but I'd rather have
> stuff I can prepare in advance.


Plain old grilled cheese sandwiches cut like toast "points." Same goes for
PB&J (might ask other parents about any food allergies).

As hot as sounds it could be, some refrigerated bunches of red and green
seedless grapes to help keep kids cool and hydrated. Put out the grapes a
little at a time so they don't warm up sitting around.

Then there's the adult in me that if it were MY birthday, I'd want
microwaved frozen White Castle hamburgers and cheeseburgers AND orange
creamsicles! :9

The Big III. Congrats.

Andy

Andy said...

> microwaved frozen White Castle hamburgers

I meant a White Castle burgers found in the supermarket frozen food section.
Naturally you can't microwave freeze anything. <sheepish grin>

At least microwave cooking doesn't add heat to a 100°F. day.

Andy

On Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:32:40 -0700, sf > wrote:

>On Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:06:40 -0700 (PDT), cjra >
>wrote:
>
>>I'm stumped for food for the kiddos. Ages will range from a few months
>>to about 7 yrs. It's not really a meal time, but I gather I need more
>>than cake It'll also be hotter than h*ll. It's been in the 100s
>>here and doesn't look to give anytime soon. I reallllllllly don't want
>>to grill anything. Cooking inside is cooler, but I'd rather have
>>stuff I can prepare in advance.
>
>Kids that age like popcorn (caramelize it for adults) and hot dogs.
>I'd make jello wigglers, but I live in a cool climate where it won't
>melt. How about watermelon or fruit shish kabob? Trail mix is grab
>and go as is the all hallowed marshmallow treat (oops, that's too
>sticky for your heat).

Put the marshmallow treats into small paper cups and make them 'mini'.
That way the kids have something to hang onto and if it starts to melt
it won't run away.

Beware the hotdogs - very small kids can easily choke on them. But
since it's a 4th birthday party I'm sure you know that already.

On Jul 13, 8:36*pm, Gloria P > wrote:
> cjra wrote:
> > Greetings!
>
> > It's been forever since I last posted here. I am so glad to see this
> > group has survived - so many of my others have not
>
> > We're having a 3rd birthday party for my daughter.
>
> > I'm stumped for food for the kiddos. Ages will range from a few months
> > to about 7 yrs.
> > I need something for the
> > kids' as well. Not Pizza. Healthy is nice - and many of these kids
> > come from families who don't do fast-food, but it doesn't *have* to be
> > healthy, it is a party afterall. Ideally, an array of kid-friendly
> > appetizers could work, late afternoon snack type stuff.
>
> I'd try a platter of fruit kabobs, not too large. *Melon balls or chunks
> on bamboo skewers or toothpicks. Cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon or
> strawberries are pretty and most kids seem to like them. *Maybe fresh
> pineapple cubes and papaya. *Cheese cubes and cubes of turkey or skewers
> of teriyaki chicken.
>
> Baby carrots, slivers of colored peppers, celery all served with
> ranch dressing or fruit yogurt as a dip. *Little wedges of quesadilla.
> Plain crackers topped with cheese.
>
> Little shapes cut out of bread with fancy cookie cutters (or just little
> rounds) spread with apricot, strawberry, or raspberry jam. *I'd say
> peanut butter, too, but so many kids are allergic it's not worth the
> potential problems.
>
> Note that I have listed mostly fresh things, nothing fried or sugary.
>
> I'd not make any of these too large because after one tiny bite it might
> be disposed of because a child didn't like it.
>
> In general most kids are intrigued with what looks "fancy" even if it
> is just a different shape.
>
> Happy Birthday to A!
>
> gloria p

Excellent ideas- I think having dips and stuff to dip would be a lot
of fun for the kids...

On Jul 14, 4:25*am, Andy > wrote:
> Andy said...
>
> > microwaved frozen White Castle hamburgers
>
> I meant a White Castle burgers found in the supermarket frozen food section.
> Naturally you can't microwave freeze anything. <sheepish grin>
>
> At least microwave cooking doesn't add heat to a 100°F. day.
>
> Andy

I hate to admit this, but recently I had the munchies, and tried those
cheeseburgers. They are not as bad as I thought they'd be! In a few
weeks I am going to Vegas, and have already mapped out the local "In &
Out", which are tons times better, but still....

"Gloria P" > wrote in message
...

> I'd try a platter of fruit kabobs, not too large. Melon balls or chunks
> on bamboo skewers or toothpicks.

I'd be very wary of pointy skewers and toothpicks with all those little kids
around.

All the other ideas sound great.

Segue

Janet Baraclough wrote:
>>
>
> I'd advise you to cater to the children, quite simply, and don't
> waste energy trying to wow their parents with a creative/ superhealthy
> spread.
>
> When small children are very excited they aren't very hungry, and
> while they are all hyped up at someone elses house is NOT a time they
> will try out anything unfamiliar.

Janet is right, when you get children together, the last thing they are
thinking about is food. They will take a bite, run off to chatter with
their friends, then come back for a second bite.


It was 102 (F) today, and when I gave a party on June 13th, it was 99 or
100 outside. I know how you feel about having a party when it is this hot.


What I would do, is serve fruit, cheese & crackers, mini-burgers with
chips and I would make tiny little cupcakes.


I would cook the hamburger patties and the cupcakes the day before the
party. I would buy (yes, buy) the small Parker House rolls and use
those for hamburger buns. I would make tiny meat patties, serve cheddar
cheese as an appetizer because most children like it, and I would serve
strawberries, grapes and I would buy apple slices from Sam's, because
they are cheaper than I can buy in the store, they are treated so the
apples will not turn brown and they are ready to serve. This way you
can spend time with the parents and the children, and not spend all your
time fussing over the food.


BTW, for an appetizer, I made mini muffalettas using the Parker House
rolls and everyone loved them.


Since the party begins at 3:00, it is the hottest part of the day, so
have plenty of beverages for the kidlets. Have a great time.


Becca

On Jul 14, 5:29 pm, Becca > wrote:
> Janet Baraclough wrote:
>
> > I'd advise you to cater to the children, quite simply, and don't
> > waste energy trying to wow their parents with a creative/ superhealthy
> > spread.
>
> > When small children are very excited they aren't very hungry, and
> > while they are all hyped up at someone elses house is NOT a time they
> > will try out anything unfamiliar.
>
> Janet is right, when you get children together, the last thing they are
> thinking about is food. They will take a bite, run off to chatter with
> their friends, then come back for a second bite.
>
> It was 102 (F) today, and when I gave a party on June 13th, it was 99 or
> 100 outside. I know how you feel about having a party when it is this hot.
>
> What I would do, is serve fruit, cheese & crackers, mini-burgers with
> chips and I would make tiny little cupcakes.
>
> I would cook the hamburger patties and the cupcakes the day before the
> party. I would buy (yes, buy) the small Parker House rolls and use
> those for hamburger buns. I would make tiny meat patties, serve cheddar
> cheese as an appetizer because most children like it, and I would serve
> strawberries, grapes and I would buy apple slices from Sam's, because
> they are cheaper than I can buy in the store, they are treated so the
> apples will not turn brown and they are ready to serve. This way you
> can spend time with the parents and the children, and not spend all your
> time fussing over the food.
>
> BTW, for an appetizer, I made mini muffalettas using the Parker House
> rolls and everyone loved them.
>
> Since the party begins at 3:00, it is the hottest part of the day, so
> have plenty of beverages for the kidlets. Have a great time.
>
> Becca

Thank you all for the suggestions. Now I have lots of ideas to work
with.

I'm not planning of serving a ton of food, just enough for an
afternoon snack besides the cake. I really like the fruit ideas and I
may do something like a 'chex party mix" and definitely cheese cubes.
I think I'll save the hot dogs for the evening (lots of kids, esp. the
older ones, will be staying for that version of the party).

Most of these kids, esp. the older ones, have hippie-granola-organic-
eating-vegetarian type parents, so they're used to "different" foods.
I'll be doing my usual tapas spread for the evening party, so I don't
want to spend too much time preparing the kid foods, but I want to
make sure they don't go hungry. And yes, we'll definitely have lots of
drinks on hand.

Thanks again. This has helped a lot.

On Jul 14, 9:56 pm, cjra > wrote:
> On Jul 14, 5:29 pm, Becca > wrote:
>
>
>
> > Janet Baraclough wrote:
>
> > > I'd advise you to cater to the children, quite simply, and don't
> > > waste energy trying to wow their parents with a creative/ superhealthy
> > > spread.
>
> > > When small children are very excited they aren't very hungry, and
> > > while they are all hyped up at someone elses house is NOT a time they
> > > will try out anything unfamiliar.
>
> > Janet is right, when you get children together, the last thing they are
> > thinking about is food. They will take a bite, run off to chatter with
> > their friends, then come back for a second bite.
>
> > It was 102 (F) today, and when I gave a party on June 13th, it was 99 or
> > 100 outside. I know how you feel about having a party when it is this hot.
>
> > What I would do, is serve fruit, cheese & crackers, mini-burgers with
> > chips and I would make tiny little cupcakes.
>
> > I would cook the hamburger patties and the cupcakes the day before the
> > party. I would buy (yes, buy) the small Parker House rolls and use
> > those for hamburger buns. I would make tiny meat patties, serve cheddar
> > cheese as an appetizer because most children like it, and I would serve
> > strawberries, grapes and I would buy apple slices from Sam's, because
> > they are cheaper than I can buy in the store, they are treated so the
> > apples will not turn brown and they are ready to serve. This way you
> > can spend time with the parents and the children, and not spend all your
> > time fussing over the food.
>
> > BTW, for an appetizer, I made mini muffalettas using the Parker House
> > rolls and everyone loved them.
>
> > Since the party begins at 3:00, it is the hottest part of the day, so
> > have plenty of beverages for the kidlets. Have a great time.
>
> > Becca
>
> Thank you all for the suggestions. Now I have lots of ideas to work
> with.
>
> I'm not planning of serving a ton of food, just enough for an
> afternoon snack besides the cake. I really like the fruit ideas and I
> may do something like a 'chex party mix" and definitely cheese cubes.
> I think I'll save the hot dogs for the evening (lots of kids, esp. the
> older ones, will be staying for that version of the party).
>
> Most of these kids, esp. the older ones, have hippie-granola-organic-
> eating-vegetarian type parents, so they're used to "different" foods.
> I'll be doing my usual tapas spread for the evening party, so I don't
> want to spend too much time preparing the kid foods, but I want to
> make sure they don't go hungry. And yes, we'll definitely have lots of
> drinks on hand.
>
> Thanks again. This has helped a lot.


So here's what we did for the kids:

Cheese cubes (pre-cut)
veg tray with dip
fruit cubes
chex mix (which didn't get touched)
mini-pizzas - made these with biscuits, spaghetti sauce and mozzarella
cheese
assorted drinks

Except the chex mix, it all went very fast, once I took it outside
where the kids were playing. It was a "cool and comfortable" 95F or
so, with a short rain, so nearly all were outside playing between the
bounce, sandbox, kiddie pool. Most popular were the veg tray and
fruit. Well, and the "pizzas" did pretty well.

Oh yeah, and cake and ice cream.
The party then turned into the evening party and round 2 (I made the
Thai food and it turned out great, if a bit spicy):
Thai Green curry (veg)
Thai Red curry (chicken)
jasmine rice

appetizers:
tapenade
roasted red pepper dip
hummus
7-layer dip
DH's famous french bread
pasta salad (sun dried tomato+mozzarella+olives)
black bean salad

Sangria
Assorted other drinks

It was actually hotter in the evening (more humid), but with the band
playing and dunk tank going (two houses merged for the party, then a
3rd added in), no one cared. All turned out great.

Now, if I could just convince people NOT to bring food over for our
parties. grrrrrr. I appreciate the thought, and it seems a few people
have finally learned that I have TONS of homemade food they don't need
to bring their grocery-store packaged stuff, there's one or two who do
still. Just means more stuff leftover and/or toss, which I hate to do.
We always end up with more beer than we started, but that's ok as that
keeps until the next party.

Agree about the popcorn, but I am no impartial.

I actually suggest mini french bread pizzas. You can take loaves of bread and cut them in half. Then cover in sauce and toppings. You can have the kids decide if you want them involved or make them in advance and cut them up to smaller sizes. It does help if you garlic and butter the french bread, but you can forgot that if you are looking for healthy, bake or broil like a frozen pizza and you are done!