You’ve sent the invitations and you’ve arranged the bouncy castle hire, but what food should you prepare for your child’s big party? With so much to organise, it’s a good idea to plan the menu in advance so that you know exactly what ingredients to buy and exactly how much time you need to put everything together. For some inspiration as to what to serve, check out the following top treats for kids parties.

Rice Krispie Treats

Rice Krispie buns are an all time favourite and are one of the simplest treats to make. Melt some chocolate and stir in the Rice Krispies. Scoop the mixture into bun cases and leave them to harden. You can add a twist by using mint chocolate, adding in marshmallows, or drizzling white chocolate over the top. Throw a few sprinkles over them before they dry to make them colourful.

Another popular Rice Krispie treat is marshmallow squares. Melt some butter and some marshmallows on a low heat and stir in the Rice Krispies. Transfer the mixture into a lasagne dish and wait for it to harden before cutting it into squares.

Dip Sticks

If you want to have chocolate fondue but you don’t have a fondue fountain then try this improvised alternative. Lay out bowls with a range of ingredients such as melted chocolate, sprinkles, strawberries, grapes, marshmallows and fudge. Give each child a skewer and tell them to place a strawberry, grape, marshmallow or piece of fudge onto the skewer and then dip it into the chocolate and sprinkles. This is lots of fun but it creates lots of mess! Don’t let children run with the skewers.

Fruit Shapes

For a healthy option, slice apples, melons and pears into thick slices. Use a novelty-shaped cookie cutter, e.g. a star shape, to cut the slices in to fun shapes. Presenting fruit in this way will encourage kids to eat it.

Dipped Apples

Another (semi) healthy option is to make a variety of dipped apples. Place a stick into each apple so that you can hold it. Dip the apples in melted chocolate or melted caramel and then dip them in sprinkles or nuts. Let them dry out and harden before serving. Decorate the sticks with ribbons. If you don’t like apples you can carve out melon balls and use those for dipping instead.

Jelly Bean Bracelets

Jelly bean bracelets are lots of fun but they take some time to make. Thread some jelly beans together with a needle. Make the bracelets small enough for mini wrists. Kids can eat the jelly beans off the bracelet directly but tell them that they can’t eat the thread!

Chocolate Bowls

Blow up some balloons, dip them halfway in to melted chocolate and let the chocolate harden. Then pop the balloons and you will be left with a chocolate bowl. Use it to serve icecream.

Frozen Banana Bites

Another simple treat is to cover a banana in melted chocolate and freeze it in the freezer. When it is frozen, cut it into bite-size slices and serve.

Featured images:

License: Royalty Free or iStock

source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cookingglutenfree/5552568539/

This article was written by Jenna Crotty who recommends www.bouncybobs.ie for bouncy castle hire.