Preschoolers love to attend parties, whether for a birthday celebration, Valentine's Day or Halloween. Games and good food are integral to a successful preschooler party. Party food for children should be both healthy and safe for them to eat. To complicate matters, preschoolers are notoriously picky eaters and you should strive to serve foods that give party attendees several culinary options.
Mini Sandwiches
Most young children enjoy child-size sandwiches which are easy to make by removing crusts and slicing bread into four square slices. Use a variety of breads that each look different, such as whole wheat, oat bran and rye bread. Add fillings such as tuna salad, lean ham, turkey, cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese. Add toppings to some, but not all, of the sandwiches, including sliced roma tomatoes, sweet pickles, lettuce leaves and black olive rings.
Fruit and Dip
Most young children enjoy colorful fruit. Serve bright red and yellow apples sliced into slivers, tangerine segments, seedless watermelon sections and bananas quartered lengthwise. Offer a caramel dip and a cream cheese dip. Avoid grapes, cherries and similar-sized fruits that can obstruct a preschooler's small throat. Don't use toothpicks as you might with adults; instead encourage them to use their washed hands and offer lots of napkins.
Muffins
Instead of cake, consider making healthy muffins. Avoid bite-sized muffins that a preschooler might attempt to swallow without chewing, but make treats using a regular muffin pan to which you add a small amount of batter for each individual muffin. Consider blueberry, cinnamon, apple, strawberry or banana muffins made with whole wheat flour. Top each muffin with a letter made of a thin stream of icing, so that collectively they read "Happy Birthday" or your chosen message.
Sundae Bar
Children love to make their own sundaes. To make a healthier version, use fat-free frozen vanilla yogurt and offer toppings such as dark chocolate chunks, low-sugar strawberry sauce, low-sugar pineapple sauce, applesauce, blueberries and crumbled animal crackers. Avoid chopped nuts unless you know that each child doesn't have a tree nut or peanut allergy.
Tips for Safely Feeding Preschoolers at a Party
Small children are very excited during a party and may fail to properly chew their food. Encourage them to slow down prior to eating by telling them a story as they sit quietly. Keep all children in the same room during the meal. Watch the children as they eat, asking at least one other adult to assist you. Offer milk, fruit juice or water and make sure each child has a beverage. Throw the used plates away and put the food out of preschooler reach after eating is complete.
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