If you’re having little ones ‘round for a celebration, your next thought might be about catering for food allergies and preferences at a kids party. And that makes sense. Allergy UK confirms that you’re right to think about it. “The UK has some of the highest prevalence rates of allergic conditions in the world, with over 20% of the population affected by one or more allergic [disorders].” So, it’s pretty likely one of your visitors will need some special considerations.

What are the most common food allergies?

According to the NHS, “the most common allergic foods include:

  • cows' milk
  • eggs
  • peanuts, soybeans, peas and chickpeas
  • tree nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, cashews, pistachios and Brazil nuts
  • shellfish, such as prawns, crab and lobster
  • wheat”

The easiest way to address all of these concerns is to make your gathering totally nut-free, skip the hummus and mushy peas and offer clearly labelled dairy alternatives, vegan options and gluten-free choices.

How do you prepare food for a child with a food allergy?

The key here is avoiding cross-contamination. It’s recommended that you prepare the allergen options in a totally clean kitchen with fresh dishware and cutlery. Wash your hands, change your apron, and disinfect all surfaces before beginning. You may even want to make allergen-free food before you make any other dishes. This might make it easier to keep everything separate. Next, check all the labels of your ingredients for hidden allergens (usually written in BOLD). When finished, store this prepared food in labelled containers away from any allergen-containing foods. Serve it with separate dishware, utensils and cutlery on their own table to keep them from touching the other items.

What are party snacks for kids with allergies?

You could always opt for pre-packaged items to give parents and kids with allergies confidence and peace of mind. But if you want to prepare party snacks yourself, why not try:

  • Whole fruit, applesauce, fruit cups, dried fruit or fruit kebabs 
  • Carrot and cucumber sticks with avocado dip
  • Veggie straws or lentil crisps
  • Free from brownies, muffins or biscuits 
  • Popcorn cones with allergen-free marshmallows and vegan chocolate topping
  • Whole-fruit smoothies with dairy alternatives
  • Gluten-free and vegan mini pizzas
  • Free from muesli bars
  • Hot dogs with gluten-free buns
  • Seasoned chicken skewers
  • Free from carrot cake balls

Do you cater for adults at a kids party?

Sure, why not? If you’ll have mums and dads there, then it makes sense to accommodate their dietary requirements as well. It’s a good idea to ask your guests' dietary preferences beforehand so you can tailor your menu, however, most of the items above will be fine for adult guests too. Parents of children with allergies may offer to bring their own food and that could be a good option as well. Just make sure to discuss how this will work with what’s being served to prevent any ‘food jealousy’ among your little guests. 

 

So, that’s about it for catering for food allergies and preferences at a kids party but what about the rest of your list? We have even more party-planning tips for you here!