Dr. Dolgoff

Dr. Dolgoff

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Healthy Options for School Parties

School parties and celebrations are important parts of childhood—they create memories, foster community, and give children something to look forward to. However, these events have traditionally centered around unhealthy foods: cupcakes, cookies, candy, and sugary drinks. As parents and educators become more aware of childhood obesity and nutrition, there’s growing interest in making school parties healthier while keeping them fun.

The Current State of School Party Nutrition

Unfortunately, the data shows that most schools are not meeting nutrition recommendations for parties: fewer than one-fourth (23.2%) of schools have a policy stating that if food is served at student parties, then fruits or vegetables will be among the foods offered.

This is concerning because most U.S. children consume as much as half of their daily calories at school. Snacks play a major role in children’s diets—today, children are consuming nearly three snacks per day, and daily calories from children’s snacks have increased by almost 200 calories compared to the late 1970s.

CDC Recommendations for School Celebrations

Food and beverages may be part of classroom celebrations, parties, and special events, and schools and parents can work together to ensure that celebrations, events, and rewards support health. The CDC recommends that schools provide only healthy foods and beverages at celebrations and events.

Focus on Fruits and Vegetables

Most of the snacks served to children should be fruits and vegetables, since most kids do not eat the recommended number of servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Eating fruits and vegetables lowers the risk of heart disease, cancer, and high blood pressure.

Creative Fruit Ideas

Fruit Kabobs Thread colorful fruits onto wooden skewers: strawberries, pineapple chunks, grapes, melon balls, and blueberries. Kids love the presentation, and they’re easy to eat. Make them even more festive by arranging them in a rainbow pattern.

Apple Nachos Slice apples thinly and arrange them on a platter. Drizzle with a small amount of nut butter (check for allergies first) and sprinkle with a few mini chocolate chips or dried cranberries. This gives kids the fun of “nachos” with the nutrition of fruit.

Frozen Fruit Pops Blend fruit with a small amount of juice and freeze in popsicle molds. These are especially great for warm weather parties and can be made with any combination of fruits.

Fruit Pizza Use whole grain pita or flatbread as a “crust,” spread with Greek yogurt, and top with colorful sliced fruits. Cut into wedges like pizza.

Vegetable Options

Vegetable Platter with Personality Set out veggies like a salad bar and let the kids build their own salads. Offer colorful options like:

Serve with hummus, ranch dip made with Greek yogurt, or guacamole.

Ants on a Log The classic celery sticks with nut butter and raisins never goes out of style. For variety, try cream cheese with dried cranberries or sunflower seed butter with mini chocolate chips.

Veggie “Cupcakes” Use a muffin tin to create individual veggie cups. Fill each cup with a small portion of different raw vegetables and place a small container of dip in the center. Kids can “pick” their own veggies.

Whole Grain Options

Whole-grain cereals make good snacks, looking for cereals with no more than 6 grams of added sugars per serving. Whole grains provide sustained energy and important nutrients.

Whole Grain Snack Ideas:

Protein-Rich Options

Edamame Edamame is fun to eat and easy to serve. Kids enjoy popping the beans out of the pods, and they’re packed with protein and nutrients. Serve them lightly salted.

Mini Sandwiches Use whole grain bread, lean proteins like turkey or chicken, and add lettuce and tomato. Cut into fun shapes with cookie cutters. Kids love the novelty of shaped sandwiches.

Yogurt Parfaits Layer low-fat yogurt with granola and fresh berries in small cups. These look fancy and provide protein, calcium, and fruit servings.

Hard-Boiled Eggs Simple but nutritious. For parties, you can make them more fun by turning them into “egg mice” or “egg chicks” with simple vegetable garnishes.

Healthier Baked Goods

If you want to include baked goods at the party, make them healthier:

Better Cupcakes

Banana Bread Muffins Made with whole grain flour, mashed bananas, and minimal sugar, these satisfy sweet cravings while providing nutrients.

Zucchini or Carrot Bread Vegetables in baked goods? Kids often don’t even notice, and you’re sneaking in extra nutrition.

Beverage Options

Skip the juice boxes and soda. Instead, offer:

Remember that whole fruit is more nutritious than fruit juice, which lacks fiber and can be high in sugar.

Non-Food Celebration Ideas

The CDC recommends offering nonfood items for rewards. Ideas for nonfood rewards and celebrations include:

Making the Transition

If your school currently serves only unhealthy options at parties, don’t try to change everything overnight. Start small:

  1. Educate - Share information about childhood nutrition with other parents and teachers
  2. Volunteer - Offer to bring healthy options to the next party
  3. Make it fun - Present healthy foods in creative, appealing ways
  4. Get kids involved - Let children help choose and prepare healthy party foods
  5. Lead by example - Model healthy eating at celebrations

The Bottom Line

School parties can be both fun and healthy. By offering nutritious foods in appealing ways, we teach children that celebrations don’t have to center around junk food. We’re creating positive associations with healthy foods and setting them up for a lifetime of better choices.

As emphasized by the CDC, schools and parents working together can ensure that celebrations support children’s health while still being enjoyable and memorable.

Remember: the goal isn’t perfection. It’s about making school parties healthier overall while maintaining the joy and fun that makes these events special for children. With creativity and planning, we can achieve both.