If your one year old is lucky enough to have lots of one year old friends...I love the idea of using ice cube trays to make up little snack plates! Let's be honest. It's hard for little ones to eat well at parties with all of the excitement and new things to do. These snack plates will allow them to graze on many different things. Personalizing them with their name would be a great idea so that they don't get mixed up with another guests. I would personally omit the crackers, cookies and pretzels below (for one year olds) and substitute with raisins or cranberries, Cherrios, ham cubes (or other protein), hard boiled egg chunks, partially cooked baby carrots, cut up baby cereal bars, or a mini pita.
If you find that there are too many compartments in an ice cube tray, look for a 6 cube tray or a baby food making tray (shown below). If appropriate, it could be part of their take home gift/loot bag.
The baby food pouch did not exist when Miss 5 and Miss 3 were little. But man, I really don't know how I managed without them! I use them all the time with Miss 1. It is so helpful that they can feed themselves and stay occupied while you prep their meal or when you are on the run. Plus, they are getting a serving of fruits/veggies rather than Cherrios...which is what I use to give as a snack to tie my kids over. I love, love, love the food pouch!
For parties, these reusable pouches below are a great add on to your menu. Whip up a batch of the Birthday Boy or Girl's favourite puree and fill up your guests pouches! They can take them home as their loot bag and refill them with their child's favourite puree. Attaching a tag with your own puree recipe is a nice personal touch and an easy way for parents to remake if their child really liked it.
Alternatively, I love how the store-bought one is shown with the snack tray above. Another option is creating a label (similar to a water bottle label/wrap) to apply to the pouches to fit your theme. You could get really creative with this, either by purchasing pouches in the colours of your party or 'playing' on the flavour; like banana puree for a monkey theme...and call it Monkey Mash!
The most well received party food that I have ever served to kids has been grilled cheese sandwiches! I prepped the sandwiches ahead of time and kept them warm in the oven until lunch. I cut them into heart shapes...my kids don't like crust anyway...and it was a Valentine's Day party. An alternative to grilled cheese would be to fill sandwiches with cream cheese and jam or peanut butter and jelly (if there are no concerns of nut allergies).
If you are having a lunch time party, try serving a brunch. Most one year olds love eggs, pancakes, waffles, fruit...soft items that they can pick up and feed themselves. Consider setting up a pancake or waffle bar. Provide all of the toppings and let the guests top their pancakes themselves. Mini muffins, mini croissants, pigs in a blanket are all yummy additions for little ones too. Hard boiled eggs or an breakfast casserole is an easy way to incorporate eggs into your menu. Plus, everything can be made ahead of time and warmed up while guests are arriving.
Please share your menu ideas from your little one's first birthday!
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