Ann Bloom

Is it possible to have a healthy classroom party for your child and still make it fun? In a word –– yes! Classroom parties are a part of a child’s school experience. They can be healthy, too, and not full of sugar-laden cookies, candies, cupcakes and soft drinks.

Years ago no one thought twice about sending frosted cupcakes to school for a class party. This was before people were concerned about saturated fat, sugar and sodium and before childhood obesity was considered an epidemic. Today, it is important to balance out the less-than-healthy snack choices for class parties with some healthier options.

Here are some ideas:

• When it’s your turn to bring snacks, consider bringing in pre-cut vegetables with low-fat ranch dip or hummus, cut up fresh fruit or the makings for an activity such as Do It Yourself Trail Mix. Vegetables and fruit can also be used to make fun food art on a paper plate.

Give children cut up fruits and vegetables and let them make animals, faces, a house or their pet. Then they can eat their artwork.

• Yogurt parfaits –– yogurt layered with fruit and granola in a plastic cup –– are another activity the whole class can enjoy. Smoothies, many of which contain fruits and vegetables, are an interactive classroom snack choice.

With a little help from adults, children can make their own smoothies. Other appropriate snacks include nuts and sunflower seeds, crackers with low-fat cheese and lean slices of meat.

• When it comes to drinks, skip the sodas and offer water, sparkling water, water flavored with fruit slices or 100 percent fruit juice. An eight-ounce serving of most soft drinks contains approximately 15 teaspoons of added sugar. Energy and sports drinks are not much better. Juice drinks, while they may seem like a good idea, contain only about five percent fruit juice; the rest is sugar water.

• Also consider nonfood items. Stickers, pencils, erasers or coloring sheets are fun. An art project to celebrate the event is also fun and the results can be hung in the school hallways for others to see. Singing and dancing to a CD can incorporate a physical element into the party.

Children should be aware that parties can be fun even without the sugary treats. Let them know it is OK to have treats occasionally, but it is important to eat nutritious food first.

As always, check with your child’s teacher before bringing in food from another source. Many children have allergies to wheat, dairy and nuts for example, or are diabetic. Some schools have policies against bringing in food that is not in its original packaging.

Ann Bloom is a nutrition program assistant for the OSU Extension Service in Wallowa County. She can be contacted at 541-426-3143.