by Anne Finch, Accredited Practising Dietitian for LiveLighter

Healthy Party Ideas

We all want children’s birthday parties to be fun and memorable. Here's some tips on how to include some nutritious foods and active party games that'll be fun for the whole family!

Party tips

Choosing a theme can give inspiration for food, decorations and activities
Get the kids involved in the party planning and preparations
Borrow and upcycle things you already have and limit single-use items
Remind families to bring hats and sunscreen or rain jackets as required
Individual 'party snack packs', foods on sticks and having plenty of serving spoons can limit sticky fingers on shared foods

Fun foods

Cut food into interesting shapes with cookie cutters
Find loads of healthy recipes here
Make some healthy dips with the kids the night before
Small pikelets can be made in advance and frozen

cookie cutter food kid holding kiwi slices rocket sandwich

Loot bag ideas

Get creative with the contents. Include a few sweets if you like, but you can also include some healthier and non-food items

Dried fruit and nuts
Homemade biscuits and popcorn
Seed sticks or seedlings
Chalk, stickers, stamps or other stationery items
Hair clips, bouncy balls or other small toys

Active party games

Bobbing for apples
Musical chairs
Limbo
Duck duck goose
Tug-of-war
Balloon/sack races

Plan your party outdoors
At the park or playground, use the equipment, or encourage guests to bring their scooters or bikes. Play a game like cricket or grip ball. Plan a beach or pool party. Get the kids (or their friends) together and decorate the backyard

musical chairs

If your party is outside, remember to be sun smart! Remind people to bring a broad brimmed or bucket hat on the invitation, look for a shady spot and provide sunscreen.

Delightful drinks

Tap water is best and cheapest! Mix it up and add some fun with the following ideas:

Little people need little cups
Add some frozen berries or sliced fruit into water to add colour to tap or sparkling water
Freeze water with fruit or mint leaves in ice cubes trays for colourful and pretty ice cubes
Provide straws with fun shapes or colours.
If you’re providing juice, choose 100% fruit juice and water it down with tap water or sparkling water for a special ‘Jungle Juice’.

water with colourful fruit

Money saving tips

Choose fruit that's in season - that's when it's best and cheapest!
Buy foods like raisin bread/ pikelets when they are on special and freeze until needed
Borrow cookie cutters from friends, family or community groups
Buy cheaper popcorn kernels for the stove instead of microwave popcorn packets