Childrens parties

Gluten-free party ideas

Make glutenA protein that is found in the cereals wheat, barley and rye. -free butterfly cakes and get all the children to decorate their own cake, using different coloured icing, and gluten-free cake decorations. They can then eat this as their dessert or take it home in their party bag.

Buy coloured food boxes (available from party supply shops) and get the children to decorate them with stickers and a name label. Then you can put a selection of food into each box.

Attending a party

Whilst it's important to give your child the independence to manage their own diet, there are circumstances, like at parties, where it's a good idea to discuss your child's dietary needs with the organiser.

It's worth bearing in mind that the party organiser will probably be very busy, so don’t automatically expect them to cater for your child. Ask what types of party food are being prepared so you can substitute similar gluten-free versions. Perhaps you could bring along gluten-free alternatives for everyone to try so your child feels included.

If the party is taking place at an activity centre, it's worth ringing the centre before hand to check what food is provided as part of the party package as it isn’t normally gluten-free. Desserts are often branded ice lollies which you can check are gluten-free.

Gluten-free party food

• gluten-free chicken nuggets – make your own with our recipe or check your Coeliac UK Food and Drink DirectoryOur annual Directory of gluten-free food and drink which manufacturers voluntarily submit to.  for supermarket versions 
• gluten-free cocktail sausages and mini hot dog sausages
• sandwiches – using gluten-free bread
• crisps – try and ensure that only gluten-free crisps are bought as crisps usually get emptied into communal bowls
• fruit squash – most, but not all, fruit cordials are gluten-free but it's worth checking just in case
• desserts – fairy or butterfly cakes (get your child to help you decorate them) or let them choose a dessert they would like to take with them such as gluten-free chocolate mousse or jelly
• sweets – always take along substitutes for party bags and prizes for games.

Birthday cakes

Make a Victoria sandwich using our recipe and fill with jam of your choice and butter cream. Using ready roll icing, cut a circle large enough to fit the top of the cake. Trace your child’s favourite character from a magazine or book using tracing paper or baking paper and trace it back onto the icing using a non-toxic pencil. Using powdered food colouring (available from cake decorating shops) and paint brushes (from an art shop) fill in the traced outline using the original picture as your guide. 

Alternatively, spread top of cake with butter cream and cover with your child’s favourite sweets or cake decorations.

If all else fails and you haven’t got time to make a cake, you can always buy one. Check your Food and Drink Directory for gluten-free versions.

We also have a list of companies who make celebration cakes to order. Their details can be found in the Related Downloads box on the right hand side of this page.

You can always try cooking something special using a recipe from our huge recipe database or from one of our gluten-free cook books. We have a selection of childrens recipes which you may also like to try.

At Christmas time

Use the following mixture to make up 18 Christmas fairy cakes:

Ingredients

• Sponge:
• 150g gluten-free mix or flour
• 1 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
• 100g caster sugar
• 2 medium eggs
• 100g soft margarine
• Buttercream:
• 100g icing sugar, sieved
• 50g butter
• Vanilla essence

Method:

1. Place all sponge ingredients into a bowl and beat well until light and fluffy.
2. Divide mixture into 18 cake cases and cook in a pre-heated oven 190°C/375°F/Gas 5 for 10-15 minutes until risen and firm to touch.
3. Cool on a wire rack.
4. For buttercream beat together icing sugar and butter until it is pale in colour. 
5. Add a few drops of vanilla essence.
6. When cakes are cold, cut in half horizontally and spread butter cream and jam on one side and replace second half.
7. Decorate cakes with icing sugar snow and draw holly and Christmas trees on top with writing icing.

If your kids don’t like cake you could try gluten-free chocolate fondue by melting a big pot of chocolate and providing mini meringues, pieces of fruit and marshmallows for dipping.

Fruit juice punch is a great festive drink accompaniment for kids parties.

Why not try Christmas kebabs with roast parsnips, carrots and potatoes on sticks with a cranberry sauce to dip.