Podcast 71: Healthy School Birthday Parties

by The Meal Makeover Moms on September 8th, 2009

Birthdays come just once a year. Or do they? If your child is in daycare, preschool, or elementary school, chances are there’s a class celebration every week or two. That’s a lot of cupcakes.

As moms and dietitians, we have nothing against an occasional cupcake, but we understand why some schools have revised their party policies. Among the concerns: food allergies, a commitment to more time spent on learning and less on parties, and worries over the expanding waistlines of American children. If a “no cupcake” rule in your kid’s classroom has you stymied, tune in to this week’s Cooking with the Moms for lots of fun, kid-friendly alternatives.

During the show, we share two recipes – Krazy Face Fruit Kebabs and Meringue Cloud Lollipops — and offer the following food-free classroom birthday ideas:

> Allow extra recess for the birthday classroom.
> Let the birthday child eat lunch with the teacher.
> Announce birthdays over the PA system.
> Create a special poster, tee-shirt, appreciation book, or crown to mark the big day.
> Ask the child’s family for a library book donation.

melonfacefruitkebab

Krazy Face Fruit Kebabs
Makes 25 Kebabs

  • 1 large honeydew melon
  • 1 cantaloupe, cut into cubes
  • 1 quart strawberries
  • 1 small bunch seedless red grapes
  • Mini marshmallows
  • Twenty five 10-inch wooden skewers

1. Slice 3 inches off the bottom of the honeydew melon and remove the seeds.

2. Use a melon baller to scoop out balls. Place a paper towel inside to absorb the liquid; cover opening with plastic wrap.

3. Place the melon cut side down on a plate or platter, and use a permanent marker to draw a face on one side.

4. Thread the fruit and marshmallows onto the skewers in any order that you like. Stick the ends into melon so they look like crazy hair coming out of the “head.”  Add a birthday hat.

Kitchen Note:  If you don’t have the time to make this ‘krazy face’, simply arrange the kebabs on a tray to transport to school.

Nutrition Information per Serving (1kebab):  25 calories, 0g fat (0g saturated), 0mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, 0g protein, 35% vitamin C

making meringue lolly pops

Meringue Lolly Pops
Makes 25 Pops

  • 4 egg whites
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 25 ice-cream or craft sticks
  • Multicolored decorating stars

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Lightly coat 2 baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

2. Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites at medium speed until frothy. Add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. This will take about 10 minutes.

3. Drop meringue by rounded tablespoons onto baking sheets. Use a spoon to smooth peaks, but don’t flatten.

4. Insert craft sticks into each “cloud,” (parallel to the baking sheet) about 1/4 inch from the bottom.

5. Decorate tops with decorating stars. Bake 1 hour, turn off oven, and leave in oven overnight.

Tip: Use a permanent marker to write names on the sticks before they’re placed in the meringues.

Nutrition Information per Serving (1 pop):  35 calories, 0g fat (0g saturated), 10mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate, 0g fiber, 1g protein

For more recipes and ideas for throwing a healthy school birthday party, be sure to check out the article we wrote for Nick Jr Family Magazine. The photos in the article illustrate exactly how our recipes should look!

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2 Comments | Filed Under Desserts, Podcast, Snacks 

2 Responses to “Podcast 71: Healthy School Birthday Parties”

  1. Kristin on September 10th, 2009

    I listened to the podcast as I ran this am….made me STARVING! Will so try the Krazy face kebabs for a next bday or other festive occasion. So darn cute! My daughter has a summer bday, so we’ve avoided much of this, stuff in school, thus far. Although her little brother is now in preschool, with a November bday……yikes! Can’t wait to see/meet you in Napa in November!

  2. Healthy Food Ideas for Super Healthy Kids » Planning Ahead on March 9th, 2010

    [...] Crazy Face Fruit Kabobs [...]

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