Need some ideas for "healthy" birthday cake/snack for kids!

[ADisneyQueen]

I'm having my dd b-day party at the movies and they are giving the kids a popcorn, a drink, and 1 or 2 boxes of candy. That is a lot of junk. I want to have some kind of cake, cupcake or snack when we sing Happy B-day, but don't want to overload them with more junk. I was thinking about mini choc. muffins or cupcakes. Any ideas? They are 3rd graders.

 

[Jennasis]

Popcorn isn't all that bad. Especially if they refrain from the (shudder) butter.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

It's the two boxes of candy that have me worried, and soda if they choose it. I don't want to deal with any sick kids.

 

[rie'smom]

It's a birthday party. I wouldn't worry too much about junk food overload for 1 day. Give them 1 box of candy instead of 2.

 

[minniebeth]

Muffins, even healthy ones probably have a lot of sugar in them too.
I would go with what rie'smom said, give one box of candy (big? little? I would do as small as possible) and then maybe do like a tray of Brownies with frosting and sprinkles for a fun dessert to do candles/Happy Birthday with and then cut them into tiny squares. Or have them precut and put in foil muffin liners with a candle in each. That way it's just a little treat for the celebration, but not too much. And fun.

 

[HM]

Try making cupcakes using a recipe that replaces some some of the ingredients with things like apple sauce (instead of oil). You'll feel better about what you are serving them, while still getting the cake, too!

 

[mjkacmom]

Popcorn isn't all that bad. Especially if they refrain from the (shudder) butter.

Actually, movie theater popcorn is probably one of the unhealthiest food on earth, even without the butter-flavored topping!

http://www.iateapie.net/reviews/archives/2006/03/movie_theater_p.php

 

[justhat]

I second substituting apple sauce for oil and still having cake, cause really, I don't see muffins as being any healthier than cake.

But overall, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Kids often eat a ton of junk at a birthday party and are fine. Odds are they'll be home before they get sick.

 

[golfgal]

It's a birthday party, adding one piece of birthday cake to the movie snacks isn't a big deal. If they ate like that every day, ok, but for the occasional birthday party, so what. Just get a birthday cake and be done.

 

[Bren's Mom]

And you can do MINI cupcakes. Which are just one bite. Since they'll likely be full anyway from the popcorn etc. There will still be something to stick the candle into!

 

[allison443]

If your're worried about them consuming too much junk in a short time period, can you give them the boxes of candy at the end of the party when they're leaving, like a party favor? When my kids went to the movies, I usually only got them popcorn and a drink, or candy and a drink, or a slushy. Do you guys normally give them popcorn, 2 boxes of candy, and drink to eat during a movie? Those movie theater boxes of candy are pretty big, too!
Like others suggested, cupcakes would be good...I don't think chocolate muffins are really any better.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[ADisneyQueen]

All the stuff is included in the box they get when going into the movies. I really can't change it, they all know what they are supposed to get from past parties.

 

[just4today]

Perhaps you could show a DVD at home and serve them bran muffins and carrot sticks instead?

Eating healthy is great and there's nothing wrong with being concious of it, but sheesh - it's a kid's party for one day. I doubt any of them are going to suffer long term consequences from having some popcorn and candy.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

How about a fruit cookie/ pie? The ones where you lay the fruit out in really pretty patterns and there's some sort of glaze over the top. It would look nice, but have some fruit at least!

Or...maybe "dirt cups" (sugar free chocolate pudding with some cookie crumbs and a gummy worm) and your daughter could have a mini cake with flowers on it or something (you can save the cake for home if you want).

Lastly...how about a cookie cake, but instead of choc. chip, do oatmeal raisin? If you daughter's not a big raisin person, just do an oatmeal choc. chip cookie, and make it healthy with wheat flour, applesauce instead of oil, etc.

Pizza instead of a cake? LOL I've never seen candles stuck in a pizza!

 

[ADisneyQueen]

thanks, those are great ideas and I may do one. I will talk to my daughter.

I don't mind my kids eating junk food, it's just that I've seen some kids throw up at parties when they eat all that stuff. Parents probably won't stay at this party and I would have to take care of it!

 

[Pigeon]

thanks, those are great ideas and I may do one. I will talk to my daughter.

I don't mind my kids eating junk food, it's just that I've seen some kids throw up at parties when they eat all that stuff. Parents probably won't stay at this party and I would have to take care of it!

I've got two kids and 19 nieces and nephews. The only kid I've ever seen throw up at a party was my older daughter and it was at her party. She doesn't eat cake at all and the food hadn't yet been served. She just tended to throw up from excitement.

I agree with the just cut down on the candy and serve the cake philosophy. There isn't much nutritional difference between a cookie pizza and a cake, and substituting applesauce for oil isn't going to change whether a kid throws up. And sugar free items chock full of artificial sweetner aren't good for kids, either.

Actually, in my experience kids love the excitement of birthday cakes, the look of birthday cakes, the blowing out the candles ritual, but eating the actual cake? Not so much. They tend to eat a few bites and then run off to play.

 

[sksjasams]

Actually, in my experience kids love the excitement of birthday cakes, the look of birthday cakes, the blowing out the candles ritual, but eating the actual cake? Not so much. They tend to eat a few bites and then run off to play.

I agree - don't give up the cake, just cut very small pieces. As my DS11 has gotten older, I have learned to cut the pieces very small. Even at his age, many of the kids don't even finish a small piece. But I would never give up the cake.