| #ffffff;" /> | | | | can also top them with candy sprinkles, fruit slices, or |
| Ask any parent and they’re sure to agree: | | | | chocolate powder. If you’re serving |
| feeding kids can be a nightmare. It’s hard to find | | | | sandwiches, trim out the crusts and use a cookie |
| a balance between foods that are healthy and foods | | | | cutter to cut them into fun shapes. Make funny faces |
| that they actually like. If you’re lucky, your child | | | | on burger patties, arrange fruits on top of salads, or |
| will have a number of favorite foods and refuse to eat | | | | make little gingerbread houses. |
| anything else. Each meal is a struggle, and more often | | | | Don’t experiment |
| than not, it ends up in a tantrum or a food fight | | | | You may be dying to try out your new caviar recipe, |
| (sometimes both). So just imagine the trouble of | | | | but this is a children’s party. Kids tend to be |
| planning an entire party, where the guests are all | | | | picky eaters. Stick to good old Filipino |
| growing children with their own moods and | | | | cuisine—tried and tested dishes that children will |
| preferences. | | | | always like. If you want to serve more |
| Well, here’s the good news: it doesn’t | | | | ‘adult’ food, put them on a separate |
| have to be all that troublesome. With careful planning | | | | table or serve them in the kitchen. |
| and a bit of creativity, you can serve healthy Filipino | | | | Let them help out |
| food that your kids are sure to love. Here are some | | | | If you could use a little extra help, try having your child |
| tips to help you get started. | | | | help with the preparations. It doesn’t matter if |
| Mind the cake | | | | they’re too young or unable to follow |
| What’s a birthday party without a nice birthday | | | | instructions. Just give them small tasks such as |
| cake? Get the cake right and the rest of the party will | | | | measuring ingredients, timing the oven, or wiping the |
| take care of itself; get it wrong and there’s | | | | tables. You can even let them draw on the birthday |
| hardly a party to begin with. You usually have two | | | | cake and make the decorations. Helping out will build |
| choices: buy the cake or bake it yourself. Buying is | | | | up their excitement and make the occasion seem |
| certainly more convenient, but it takes out a lot of the | | | | even more special. Also, they’ll enjoy the party |
| fun. If you can bake a decent cake and you’re | | | | even more knowing they had a hand in making it |
| for the challenge, you and your child can help bake the | | | | happen. |
| cake together. It gives you a lot of room for creativity, | | | | Self-serve dishes |
| and your child can even use his favorite toppings. | | | | Often, the worst part of the party is scooping out the |
| Kid-friendly flavors | | | | ice cream while a dozen kids wait in line with their |
| Children want everything sweet, from ice cream and | | | | sugar cones. Better yet, lay out all the cones and |
| candy to meat and vegetables. That doesn’t | | | | toppings and let them make their own ice cream. If |
| mean you have to serve ten different | | | | you’re worried about making a mess, have |
| desserts—most Filipino food recipes can be | | | | someone supervise them or fill the cones as they pick |
| adjusted to suit children’s tastes. Just sweeten | | | | out their toppings. You can do the same with pizza, |
| up your main dishes, be generous with the dips and | | | | salads, sandwiches, finger foods, and most Filipino |
| sauces, and stick to everyday ingredients. If | | | | deserts recipes. |
| you’re serving pasta, skip the fancy spices and | | | | Plan together |
| make it simple and sweet. Kids like lots of cheese, | | | | Your child can also help you plan the meals for the big |
| sauce, meat and hot dogs. Those are all fairly healthy, | | | | day. After all, it’s his party, so it’s only |
| so there’s nothing wrong with giving them a little | | | | right that he should have a say on what goes on the |
| extra. | | | | table. And they’ll know better which foods their |
| Presentation is everything | | | | friends like and which ones they don’t. |
| Sometimes all it takes to turn a dish into | | | | Don’t let them decide the entire meal, of |
| children’s food is a change in presentation. | | | | course. To balance out their choices, have them pick a |
| Instead of serving ice cream in bowls, why not use | | | | couple of Filipino recipes from a cookbook in addition to |
| colorful ice cream cones in interesting shapes? You | | | | their favorite foods. |