Birthday cake is the highlight of the party for many 4 year olds.
Birthdays are exciting for most people, but even more so when the birthday person is only 4 years old. Celebrate a fourth birthday with colorful decorations, special guests and a kid-friendly menu. Ask guests about food allergies before preparing the menu and plan accordingly. Be prepared with alternative foods if guests have known allergies. Does this Spark an idea?
Appetizers and Snacks
A fourth birthday should include easy-to-handle appetizers. Many of the guests will likely be young children, so plan the menu accordingly. Some appetizer suggestions include crackers with cheese, cubed or sliced fruit and fresh vegetables with a ranch dressing dip. Serve the appetizers or snacks on colorful trays or create a buffet table where parents can make plates for their children.
Main Course
Some fourth birthday parties may not require a main course. If the party falls during the lunch or dinner hour, consider some favorite kid foods, such as hot dogs, pizza, chicken nuggets or corn dogs. Pair the food with grapes, apple slices, potato chips or potato salad. Four-year-old children like eating with their hands, so keep this in mind when preparing the meal. Also, consider eating outside on a deck or patio if the weather is nice. This will help with cleanup and will help prevent staining on upholstery or carpets.
Sweets
All the guests will be waiting for the all-important cutting of the birthday cake. Choose a cake that is large enough to feed the party with some leftovers for the birthday child to enjoy the next day. Cupcakes are an easy alternative to cake, since they don't require cutting, everyone gets the same size portion, and there is no need for tableware. Consider offering other sweet treats for older guests such as cookies, pies or a different flavor cake. Serve ice cream and milk or coffee with the desserts.
Other Birthday Party Foods
Allow the birthday child to participate in the planning of the menu. He may have a favorite dish that he wants included in the party. Keep the party theme in mind when preparing the food. If the theme is sports, make popcorn balls and decorate them to look like baseballs. Keep the menu simple and prepare as much of the food ahead of time as possible, so you can spend more time with the guests.
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