How to Cater for Allergies at Your Kids Party
Catering for allergies at a kids party is a very important part of the planning process. Allergies can take many forms, and the consequences of disregarding these can range from mild discomfort to potentially fatal accidents.
But what’s the best way of catering for allergies? What are some of the main allergies you should be aware of, and how do you offer alternatives to make sure everybody feels included? As the kids party experts with thousands of successful events under our belt, we’re here to help.
Find out what allergies should be considered
The first approach you should take when catering for allergies at a kids party is to speak to parents; they might have detailed lists of what you can and cannot serve to their children.
You can also send parents lists of the food you want to serve in advance, so that they can warn you if anything is unsuitable. Including a note about this on your party invites can work nicely, as it keeps this information front of mind for your guests.
One of the most important areas to get right when planning a party is to ensure that cross-contamination doesn’t occur between food and other items. Try to avoid using egg cartons for crafts or games, and wipe down surfaces to avoid problems with children accidentally coming into contact with food.
For more serious allergies, discuss what the best safety approaches are with parents, and ask children not to share their food with others. It’s also important to be aware of how to deal with specific allergies, including:
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Nuts
- Gluten
- Wheat
Managing a dairy intolerance
Particularly common amongst young children, a dairy intolerance typically means that lactose is not tolerated in foods that contain cow’s milk.
Having a lactose intolerance can be a problem for children when it comes to birthday party cakes, and means that some care should be taken when preparing food. Soy milk can be used as an alternative, while there are many alternative sources of calcium in vegan products, as well as in fruits and vegetables.
Keeping things egg-free
Another common allergy you’ll need to cater to, eggs can typically be found in cakes, as well as in pastry and most types of pies served at parties. To this end, it’s important to pick pre-rolled pastry and crusts, as well as egg-free dough.
Cocktail sausages can be a good alternative for savoury food, while chicken drumsticks and potato wedges can also fill the gap left by other snacks. At the same time, it’s crucial to keep cutlery and plates separate from egg products if children have a strong egg allergy.
Making the party safe for nut allergies
There are many different reactions possible for nut allergy sufferers, which can vary from mild irritation to more serious problems. Allergies to nuts tend to involve issues with peanuts and true nuts, which can include almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts and Brazil nuts.
It’s usually best not to serve nuts at all during a kids party, particularly if you’re mixing together nuts with other snacks. Avoiding any peanut-based spreads is also important.
Avoiding gluten and wheat
Allergies to gluten and wheat can be quite difficult to cater for, and can involve taking extra care with ingredients. It’s generally worth investing in safe food such as popcorn and specific gluten-free brands of pizza and snacks. Most supermarkets will have a ‘free from’ aisle or section that will include gluten-free food.
You can also fill up snack tables with hummus, chicken spring rolls, pecans and black bean and corn salsa. As with most allergies, you can invest in apples and banana slices to provide more options for gluten and wheat-free parties.
Similarly, you should check labels when serving yoghurts and other seemingly safe foods, as they might contain harmful ingredients. Particularly avoid breaded fish, and stick to tinned tuna and salmon if these are part of your menu. Wheat-free grains and rice are also worth looking into, as are party staples like crisps.
Know what to do in an emergency
No matter how much preparation you put into catering for allergies at your kids party, there is always going to be a risk of emergencies. Check with parents, and make yourself aware of what to do in an emergency.
You should have plenty of help on the day, as well as people at the party who have experience of looking after children with allergies.
If you find yourself in a situation where you’re not sure how best to proceed, always call the emergency services. They’re trained in this exact situation, and can often take over to make sure the child in question receives the best medical care possible.
Let's throw the best kids party ever
If you feel comfortable with catering to kids allergies at your party, it’s time to think about the other areas of party planning. Take a look at our popular kids entertainment options, and get in touch with our friendly team if you have any other questions.
