The holiday season is over, but the celebrations keep coming. In the past month, my kindergarten-aged son has been invited to four different birthday parties, promising a constant mid-winter rotation of trampoline parks, arcades, and bowling alleys. With every invitation, the parents have included the same instruction: Please let me know if your child has any food allergies and what needs to be done. This usually prompts a longer discussion, since many well-intentioned parents don’t know where to start.
My son and I have it all worked out: I send him to events with a bright watermelon cooler bag. The cute accessory stealthily doubles as a purse when we’re out together, so I don’t get questioned about bringing outside food into an establishment. The distinctive design helps my son easily find it, and he always knows the food inside is safe, in case there’s nothing else he can eat at a party.
Since gluten-free and other allergen-friendly foods can be more expensive, I offer to buy the safe foods myself, and I aim for items as similar as possible to what’s being served. Most parents are thrilled that I’ve taken the task away from them—but in case you’re hosting a birthday party or similar event, here are 10 treat and snack ideas to help cater to kids with allergies.
