Since I have had children, I have taken them to many birthday parties. Often the food on the menu is takeaway pizza, cake and apple juice. All our knowledge of what is good and healthy for our bodies is forgotten in the celebration of another milestone in our child’s life. Do moms offer these foods because it is what children enjoy? Or have we come to expect that children cannot celebrate their friend’s birthday with a more nutritious snack?
When planning the snacks for my children’s birthday parties this year, I decided to test whether or not children will eat healthy snacks. Alongside the crisps, air-popped popcorn and mandatory chocolate birthday cake, I placed some platters of fruit and vegetables. The vegetable platter had baby carrots, cucumbers and grape tomatoes. One fruit platter had pieces of cantaloupe, strawberries cut into bite sizes and red grapes; the other had pineapple pieces, green grapes and musk melon.
When I placed the snacks on the table, the children reached for the crisps, popcorn and cake. This is what every mom expects. But they also reached for the vegetables and fruit! Children do enjoy what is good for them: as testified by the three solitary grape tomatoes that remained once everyone had left!
Have you served healthy snacks at a children’s party? What was the response?
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2012
Colline's Blog 
I had to help prepare lunch at after school care program and they loved the fruit part, we even gave them carrot pieces which they also loved
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When you think about it, ripe fruit and baby carrots can be just as sweet as candy – and it is better for their teeth and health.
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That’s not a bad idea, thankfully I don’t have to worry about that anymore. It has been many years since we had little kids parties. My eldest is 18 next week, that is scary.
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Yes, that is scary 🙂 I am at a stage of disbelief: I cannot really believe that my girls have grown up so quickly!
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Hi,
Very nice platters. I agree I think there should be a bit more variety at kids party’s. A lot of kids I know love fruit and if it is there they will eat it. 🙂
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I have found that if kids are truly hungry, they will eat what is given to them. And that includes the healthy food. 🙂
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I haven’t, but I don’t have kids 🙂 My grandmother used to tease me when I was little since I would ask for cheese and crackers or fruit for a snack instead of candy. Don’t get me wrong, I like candy, but when I was a kid we couldn’t have a lot.
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You sound like one of my daughters – she loves her crackers and cheese as an after school snack 🙂
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A very healthy snack indeed. We need to serve more of these not just to our kids party but also to our adults friends and family. Thanks for sharing an inspiring post today. We all need to be role models for our kids. If they see that we try to eat right, they will soon follow. Have a blessed day…
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I agree with you. If our children see us eat healthy snacks, they will follow the example. An apple therefore does not become a boring snack, but an crunchy and refreshing one.
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Great shots! I want to be “a children” again, especially in your house Colline. LOL!
*hugs*
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Thanks Sonel 🙂
We actually have fruit every morning for breakfast and I cut a small plate of fruit for everyone in the family. I would never be able to go on a diet that required one to cut out fruit 🙂
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My Dear Colline. Ah yes, it is spring again and your girls have turned a year older. Happy Birthday girls!!!!
You, my dear are a caring party hostess. Other party hostesses give parties for their children and due to the busy world we live in, many choose an easier way to hold a party with prepared foods that require little preparation beyond lifting a lid or tearing open a bag. However, your parties are always given with the utmost care and attention to detail. This always shows when the children listen with rapt attention to your voice directing them to the next fun activilty. Each year you prepare large platters of delicious fruit and veg lovingly arranged with care, which are devoured eagerly.
This may be to most fruit any of these children eat at a single sitting that week
I admire and applaud your efforts – always memorable parties!
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Thank you Darlene. To be honest I heaved a sigh of relief when this year the girls decided they wanted an intimate party with girls only. Makes for a calmer experience 🙂
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Well, I can’t speak for the kids but I sure would like to go to a party where these party trays are waiting for me. They look great and are far better than chips and dip!
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Thanks John. I know that at parties or functions I am always on the lookout for the fruit platter. Colourful and tasty – you can’t go wrong with that!
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It’s been such a long time I didn’t make a children party… As always your subject is great and how important… You made me to think how important for children and for their parties… I will share with my friend who has a child… Thank you dear Colline, you are doing great… with my love, nia
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It is so important to remember that children like “adult” snacks and food too. And nothing is easier than creating a fruit platter.
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By the way was it their Birthday! sorry, HAPPY BIRTHDAY for your daughters… Love, nia
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Thank you for your wishes Nia 🙂
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This is a great idea. Children need to be given healthy foods 🙂
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Yes they do – they are in need of the nutrients they can get from eating fresh fruit and vegetables.
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Well done Colline! they actually taste sooo good too!
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I forgot to say that I had no dip to offer them and the children enjoyed it anyway 🙂
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Shared this one on FB. My DIL is going to like this post. She is into healthy food for kids. And adults, too.
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What I have found is, give kids healthy food, and they will eat it with relish. It is not only cookies and candy that they will eat.
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Great idea! My kids love fruits and veggies and it’s a great option to fill in instead of sweets.
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I did not really expect those platters to be empty afterwards – but they were.
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