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 A budding chef is easy to please with a Kids in the Kitchen party. Preschoolers in the kitchen require plenty of supervision, so plan on one adult chef for every three guests. Consider having separate preparation stations for each food, allowing a small group to work at each station.
- Invitations: On a recipe card, print "Cook up some tasty treats in Colby's Birthday Kitchen," followed by party information.
- Decorations: Red and white checked tablecloths, red balloons, streamers and napkins, with kitchen utensils and Apron Cake as centerpiece (see sidebar).
- Crafts:Upon arrival, help guests decorate plain aprons with fabric markers and stamps, and construction paper placemats with stickers and pictures of food.
- Food:
Apron cake
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Place 9x13 sheet cake on a board. On one short end, cut a 2 ½ "x 2 ½ " square from each corner, and then taper to edge about halfway down cake to form apron bib. Divide one 2 ½" square into two layers and place one layer on lower part of apron to form pocket. Frost cake with white icing. Push toy-baking utensils into pocket. Use red fruit roll up to form apron strings at the top and middle and to trim top of pocket. Write Happy Birthday on bib of apron.
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- Biscuit pizzas. Give each child a jumbo biscuit to flatten on a piece of foil coated with no-stick spray. Add sauce, cheese, and desired toppings. Write the child's name on the foil and slide on baking sheet to heat while kids play birthday games.
- Salad on a Stick. Place sliced carrots, celery, and cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and radishes in bowls. Help guests skewer these on wooden skewers. Serve with ranch dip. (Caution: don't try this with preschoolers under three, as vegetables and skewers can be choking hazards.)
- Cookie decorating. Give each child several sugar cookies to decorate with frosting and sprinkles. Place in labeled disposable dishes to carry home.
- Smoothies. Guests place desired fruit pieces in a blender with your favorite smoothie ingredients. Little chefs enjoy pushing blender buttons.
- Games:
- Marshmallow Measuring. Fill a large bowl with miniature marshmallows. Have guests close eyes (use blindfold for older preschoolers) and transfer marshmallows into a second bowl using a wooden spoon.
- Egg in Spoon Relay. Give each child a tablespoon and a hard-boiled egg. The child must carry the egg to a designated spot, then return to the starting point.
- Favors: Chef's hat and apron (make your own or order online for about $3 each, wooden spoon, recipe "book" with party recipes, and decorated cookies.
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Shelly Radic is the Director of Group Life at MOPS International and also the author of The Birthday Book: Creative Ways to Celebrate Your Child’s Special Day. Having hosted more than forty children's birthday celebrations, and attended countless others, Shelly is delighted to provide parents with a wealth of birthday planning ideas.
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