20 delicious healthy kids party food ideas

Baby S turns two this weekend! It's a cliché to say it but I really can't believe how quickly these two years have gone by.

I guess I need to stop calling him Baby S soon - although he'll always be the baby of the family (having three kids is definitely my limit!).

We're throwing a small birthday party for him and a few of his little friends. Because most of them are two or under I'm making a special effort to keep the party food as healthy as possible without too much sugar.

Do children's parties have to mean a sugar overload?

I thought about some of the birthday parties we've been to recently, which are usually for slightly older kids).

Although there's almost always healthier food such as fruits and veggies on offer, my kids have made a beeline for the crisps, sweets and chocolates.

How to create a birthday spread full of healthy party food

Making delicious food that looks like a treat yet is actually healthy can seem like a bit of a challenge.

However, it is definitely possible!

With the ideas below you'll have no trouble at all creating a spread that is full of healthy kids party food.

Colour can help

I like to make my party spreads as colourful as possible.

Fruit and vegetables are the perfect way to do this.

Rainbow salads, vegetables on skewers and brightly coloured dips always go down well with children so fill your party table with lots of those. 

Sprinkles make everything fun

If you want to add sprinkles think about making the watermelon doughnuts or healthier cake pops below rather than cupcakes and cookies.

Or if you want to do biscuits try my healthier recipe below - freeze dried strawberries and raspberries are good alternatives to sugary sprinkles.

What about healthy party food for babies?

Many of these healthy kids party food ideas are perfect for babies as well. If you're looking for ideas for a first birthday party or want younger siblings to be able to join in then you'll find something you like.

There's even a birthday cake below that's perfect for babies.

Tips for making healthy party food for babies

• Create lots of colourful platters with fruits and veggies.
• Keep baby safe by making sure that any choking hazards (eg grapes and cherry tomatoes) are sliced lengthways.
• Keep them away from skewers.
• Remember that honey should always be avoided by under ones.

Here are 20 delicious and healthy kids party food ideas

NB: these healthy party food ideas are all vegetarian.

Savoury healthy party food ideas

1. Butternut squash cheese straws

Use ready made puff pastry to make these easy cheese straws and add a portion of butternut squash to add a bit of extra veggie goodness. Get the recipe.

2. Skewers with avocado, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and basil

Chop the tomatoes in half and watch out for the pointy ends if serving these to little kids. See these and more lovely ideas from Feeding Little Monkeys over on her Instagram account. 

3. Courgette pizza bites

A gorgeous way of making pizza a lot healthier from the talented Eats Amazing.

4. Sunny picnic quiches

I love these mini quiches from Fab Food 4 All.

5. Baby friendly hummus

Chop up some sticks of carrot, peppers and cucumber or serve with breadsticks for dipping. My hummus recipe is salt free, making it perfect for kids of all sizes. 

6. Mini pepper boats

A creative and fun way to serve up peppers by Eats Amazing.

7. Guacamole

My guacamole recipe is easy to adapt. Depending on the age of the kids and their tastes you can leave out the chilli and salt and either leave this chunky or blend it up until it's smooth.

8. Cheesy breadsticks

Delicious homemade breadsticks by Everyday Healthy Recipes. 

Sweet healthy kids party food ideas

9. Healthy first birthday cake

This gorgeous cake from Healthy Little Foodies makes the perfect party centrepiece yet it's full of goodness and is sweetened only with fruit. Get the recipe.

10. Watermelon doughnuts

A gorgeous and creative way to make fruit the star of your party by Fork and Beans.

11. Chocolate coconut dipped satsumas

Jazz up a simple satsuma with this gorgeous recipe from My Fussy Eater. 

12. Fruit sweetened chocolate cherry muffins (recipe no longer available)

Chocolate muffins with a difference - these are naturally sweetened and packed full of goodness. 

13. Raw chocolate brownie cake pops

No kid will be able to resist one of these healthy cake pops. Made with dates and nuts, the only added refined sugar is what you choose to coat them in. Use coconut for a healthier option. Get the recipe.

14. Pumpkin muffins with sweet potato frosting

Sweetened with fruit, these pumpkin muffins with sweet potato frosting are a great choice for little ones.

15. Cornflake cakes

Delicious chocolatey cornflake cakes - made without golden syrup.

16. Chocolate dipped fruit cones

The prettiest way to serve up fruit from My Fussy Eater. Chop grapes in half for toddlers.

17. Rainbow fruit skewers

These gorgeous rainbow fruit skewers by Eats Amazing would be perfect for any kids party. You could even get the kids to make these themselves as part of the party games. If serving to small children chop the grapes in half lengthways.

18. Ginger biscuits with passionfruit icing

Biscuit decorating is always popular at a party and if you use these healthy homemade ginger biscuits you can keep the sugar consumption to a minimum. Get the recipe.

19. Homemade raspberry chia jam tarts

Gorgeous jam tarts made with wholemeal spelt pastry and filled with raspberry chia jam. No refined sugar. Get the recipe. 

20. Chocolate cherry smoothie (recipe no longer available)

Don't forget the drinks! These chocolate cherry smoothies by Tiny Tummy Tales look divine - and you can turn any leftovers into ice lollies.