Birthday Party and Peanut/Egg Allergies

[LCoulter]

Our DD7, soon to be 8, will be having her birthday party at Chuck E Cheese and we are
inviting her classmates. I have since found out from DD’s teacher that there are 9 kids in
her class that have peanut/treenut and/or egg allergies. I don’t know anyone with these
allergies to ask what precautions I need to make just in case a child with these allergies
attends the party.

Do I let Chuck E Cheese know? I would think the pizza would be safe for someone with
nut allergies or egg allergies.

As for the cake, DD doesn’t like cake or cupcakes so I had been planning an ice cream
cake....either from Friendly’s or a Carvel ice cream cake. Both are sealed and I assume
have ingredients listed on them. I haven’t investigated either option to see if they are nut
or egg free. I would like to have something that these kids can have but I am not sure of
the best option. For the classroom, the teacher suggested ice cream sandwiches....
maybe that is a better option for the party too? Although I'm not sure about what to do
with the candles.

Guidance and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mombrontrent]

Wow, is there something in the water where you live.....9 kids in one class with peanut or egg allergies

I would just call chuck-e-cheese and ask if their pizza is egg/nut free and then look at the ingredients on the prepackaged cakes. If they contain egg/nuts make your own ice cream cake or buy the ice cream sandwiches, it's really no big deal.

 

[LCoulter]

Wow, is there something in the water where you live.....9 kids in one class with peanut or egg allergies

I'm wondering that too. They put all the allergy kids together in one classroom. There are about 125 2nd graders, 9 of which have these allergies....that still seems like a lot.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

I copied this from the Chuck E Cheese website:

Do any of your products contain eggs? The following products contain eggs: Boneless Buffalo Wings, Gourmet Macaroni & Cheese Pasta Salad, Diced Potato Salad, Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, Lite Ranch Dressing, Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing, Thousand Island Dressing, Royal Caesar Dressing, Mayonnaise, Vanilla Buttercream Cakes, Chocolate Cakes and Big Bopper Ice Cream Sandwich.

The following items are produced on machinery that also processes eggs, so they may contain trace amounts of egg: Cinnamon Spread, Shortbread Dessert Topping and Big Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich.

Do your products contain peanuts or tree nuts?
We do not serve products that have peanuts or tree nuts in them. However, the following items are manufactured in plants that also process nuts in other applications, so cross-contamination could be possible: Cinnamon Spread, Shortbread Topping, Vanilla Buttercream Cakes, Chocolate Cakes, Select Single-Serve Novelty Ice Cream Offerings, Sunflower Seeds and Wonton Strips.

 

[miksilver]

That is so nice of you to think of the kids with the allergies. My DD has a tree nut allergy and has realized over the years that when going to parties she normally can't eat the cake. Or candies. Or even some ice creams. It's just a fact of life thing. She gets over it. She knows she has the allergy and knows she needs to stay safe. And I make sure to warn her before the party that if she can't eat the cake (not labeled, has nuts in it, etc.) that I'll make it up to her later with sweets she can have. I've even seen kids with allergies bring their own sweets that they can have to parties to be safe. If it's at Chuck E Cheese the kids will be all over crazy with the games anyway. The food at parties tends to be an afterthought with kids that age. At least, that's what I've witnessed before. Good luck with the party!

 

[mombrontrent]

I'm wondering that too. They put all the allergy kids together in one classroom. There are about 125 2nd graders, 9 of which have these allergies....that still seems like a lot.

That makes a bit more sense. We just moved to a small town and the elementary school has 170 kids total from JK up to 8th grade. My youngest who is in 3rd grade is in a 2/3 split since there are only 8 third graders in the whole school

 

[Christine]

My son had all of these allergies (still has the peanut) and we did a few parties at Chuck E. Cheese. Pizza was fine for him.

As for cakes at parties: I always ensured that I brought my son his own "treat" for cake time. That responsibility really should not be placed on the parent giving the party; nor should the parent of an allergic child automatically trust what someone tries to do when they aren't experienced.

I would get your DD the cake she wants for her birthday and either leave it up to the "allergy" kids to supply their own treat OR try to work with a baker or some of the parents in figuring out how to provide an egg-free/nut free cake (cupcakes). The "wacky" cake recipe will work for that and you could make a batch of those as cupcakes to serve along with the ice cream cake.

 

[Thing 1]

It is sooo kind of you to consider these kids. DS is PA and at his school they did put all the PA kids in one class and the teacher has a kid with PA so that is great!!! Every parent has different comfort levels and rules for foods. We are good with Chunky Cheese Pizza but not the cake. We never expect cake or really anything to be safe and always take food with us but it is sooooo nice with a parent does consider his allergies. Many allergy parents (us included would not eat a cake you make yourself unless they know you well and trust that your product would be 100% safe. Most parents simply don't think about things that we have to think about all the time. With that many allergy kids in the class, I would include a note asking parents of allergy kids to call you to discuss the food. I for one would be thrilled a parent was that concerned. Let the parents know the menu and share the information you have and let them know they are welcome to bring anything they need for their child. Some parents will bring a whole batch of safe cupcakes so that no child is excluded. We have never done that but always have a safe cupcake for DS. We have only once had an issue at a party and it was a clueless parent we did not know well and we just left at food time. Oh, expect parents of allergy kids to stay. Even at 8, I will not leave DS at a Birthday party where all food might not be 100% safe. I would include a tray of fresh fruit but be aware that even that is not ok with some parents as they are not 100% sure that the fruit was handled in a 100% safe kitchen. I would allow my child to have the cake she wants as long as you have a few other "safe" options for the allergy kids.

 

[Gracie09]

I believe CC pizza is ok for peanut (One of my daughters friends has a severe peanut allergy and she ate it.) We also bought a 6 pack of peanut free cupcakes from the grocery store. The father said he really appreciated it because she can never have the cake.
I have also had parents call and ask what we were having and then provide their own safe version of the same.

 

[kimj88]

My DS is peanut/tree nut allergic and has always been OK with the ChuckECheese pizza. Had and been to several parties there. Not the cakes though. It is very kind of you to consider the children with the allergies. I think as long as there is at least one thing there that is safe for each of the allergy kids (in this case, it seems like the pizza works for the nuts and egg allergies), then that is fair I think. Most allergy parents/kids are used to having to not be able to have everything offered or bring a substitute. However, like one poster above suggested, it would be super nice if you had an alternate dessert type item that was safe for the allergy kids if that was something you were able to do without a lot of extra trouble on your part. I know they would very much appreciate it. The 6 pack of grocery store cupcakes or a very popular cookie or candy bar even, as long as it has a label and you keep the label on it for the parents to see. Again, very kind of you to give this so much thought. I know I would appreciate that if it was my kid. Also, maybe just type a note and put it in the invitations (if they haven't gone out already) and list what you are having and what you know about the chuckecheese food, cut and pasted from the website. These are just suggestions, really OK if you didn't do these extra things as well. Just being aware and checking on ingredients like you have so far is nice.

 

[LCoulter]

Thanks for the input. I think I will get the ice cream cake but then get some sort of nut free and egg free alternative. I have time to look around at those options before her birthday.

 

[AnAmericanInDisney]

Thanks for the input. I think I will get the ice cream cake but then get some sort of nut free and egg free alternative. I have time to look around at those options before her birthday.

I would just get an extra couple gallons of ice creams that are nut and egg free. Many are, but I like the natural Breyers flavors or natural local grocery store brand flavors. You could also bring a couple toppings, like crushed oreos, chocolate chips, chocolate syrup, but all the kids will want to make their own sundaes.

 

[Christine]

I would just get an extra couple gallons of ice creams that are nut and egg free. Many are, but I like the natural Breyers flavors or natural local grocery store brand flavors. You could also bring a couple toppings, like crushed oreos, chocolate chips, chocolate syrup, but all the kids will want to make their own sundaes.

Seems like you'd have to get a cooler with lots of ice and a place to serve. Not always easy at Chuck E. Cheese.

 

[AnAmericanInDisney]

Seems like you'd have to get a cooler with lots of ice and a place to serve. Not always easy at Chuck E. Cheese.

I think they put it in a freezer until you are ready to serve.