Too many parties are focused on food, with piles of cupcakes, cookies, candy, chips, and sugary drinks on the menu. While all foods or beverages can be part of a healthy eating style, in moderation, high-calorie celebrations have become almost daily norms rather than special events. However, savvy parents and teachers know that when it comes to parties, children are usually not as concerned about the food and drink choices as the adults are. What kids want most is to share time with their friends and important adults. That’s why smart families and schools are finding easy ways to make healthy food so much fun that children don’t even know that it is good for them!

Enjoy SMALLER

PORTIONS of

traditional treats.

In a balanced eating style, there is always room for reasonably sized portions of desserts and other higher fat, higher sugar foods. The secret is to start with plenty of nutrient-rich options, such as sandwiches, crackers and cheese, veggies with dip, or slices of sweet fruit. Then include small cupcakes, mini-candies, or bite-size cookies – enough for a everyone to have something sweet. Serve chips, nuts, and other salty snacks in small cups rather than gigantic bowls.

Coordinate

BRIGHT COLORS to the celebration.

“Eat your colors” is awesome advice for good health, great taste, and party fun. Fruits and veggies come in all colors to coordinate with holidays (a selection of green spring veggies with Ranch dip for St. Patrick’s Day), a school mascot (orange slices and blueberries), or a child’s favorite colors (red + green = strawberries + kiwi kebobs on a plastic straw). Want a sparkling substitute for pop? Mix bright-colored juice (pomegranate or blueberry) with club soda or seltzer water.

Feature FUN SHAPES of everyday foods.

When it comes to special occasions, cookie cutters are a cook’s best friend. Kid-pleasing sandwiches can be cut into every imaginable shape – hearts at Valentine’s, bunnies for Easter, pumpkins for Halloween, or trees at Christmas. Other foods can easily be cut into fun shapes too, like ghosts cut from white and yellow cheese slices or small gingerbread people cut from fruit slices (apples, pears, or watermelon). All it takes is a few inexpensive cookie cutters and a tiny bit of creativity.

Create SILLY

FACES with a

variety of foods.

This theme has unlimited variations, because kids (of all ages) love to play with their food. Start with a bread slice, a rice cake, crackers, pre-made pizza crust, or clean plate. Spread on a little nut butter, light cream cheese, or pizza sauce. Then everyone creates faces (human, animal, or make-believe) using pre-cut foods: shredded cheese, spaghetti, or pretzel sticks for hair; grapes or cucumber slices for eyes; carrots or pickles for a nose; sliced oranges or apples for a mouth; and so on.

No bake cookies

cup reduced-fat peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower butter (smooth or chunky)

cup honey

cup low-fat granola

cup crispy rice cereal

cup raisins or other dried fruit

cup crushed graham crackers

Heat nut butter and honey in a saucepan over low heat until creamy. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl to cool. Add granola, cereal, raisins, crushed graham crackers, and extras to the nut butter mix and stir well. Roll into tablespoon-sized balls and set on wax paper. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. Yield: 32 cookies.