Kids Cooking Party Birthday Theme

If your child has a birthday or other special event coming up, consider stepping outside the traditional party box by throwing a kids' cooking party! What better way to introduce children to cooking than having fun in a party setting with their friends?

Kids Cooking Party This out-of-the-ordinary theme combines an exciting atmosphere of learning about food, nutrition, and safety in and around the kitchen.

Here's what you'll need for a successfully kids cooking party.

Planning the Party

After choosing a date for the party, you'll want to send out invitations. You can create your own cooking-themed invitations (such as blank recipe cards downloaded from the internet) or use store-bought cards that have a chef or food on them.

Another option is to fashion your own cards on heavy stock paper and cut out shapes of wooden spoons or rolling pins, with the details written on them.

Be creative with the cards by including a food party greeting, such as "Cooking up another year!" or "Here's a recipe for a good time!"

The invitation should include the child's name, the date and time of the party, the location, and your phone number. At some point, either through the RSVP or a direct phone call, you'll want to determine if the parents are planning to come and whether the child is allergic to any foods.

Discuss with your child what kind of recipes she would enjoy preparing — because this will involve a group of children, and not a one-on-one with your child, simple is best. Avoid any recipes with uncooked meats, muffins, cookies or other baking — this is a party with a limited time frame. Also, ask for at least one other adult to help you at the party — cooking can be messy and is very hands-on.

Once the RSVPs come in, you'll be able to determine the total number of guests, how much food you'll require, and whether you need to stock up on bowls, cutting boards, paper towels, etc. Give yourself ample time to purchase your every need!

Preparing the Cooking Stations

Cooking can be messy, so be prepared to offer each child an apron and chef's hat when they arrive. Inexpensive items like these can be purchased online or at party stores. An even better idea is for each child to make a chef's hat as an early activity. Here's how to make one:

Before the party, cut several strips of card-stock paper into two inch thick "headbands." Tape two sections together per guest.
Using regular paper, tape two pieces of paper together so they are as long as the headbands. Have one per child.
During the activity, each child will wrap the headband around their forehead. They, or an adult, can use a pencil to mark where the paper overlaps. Leave a couple inches of overlap. Trim off excess.
With the large, regular sheets of paper, measure the new length of headband. Cut to the same size.
Now, fold about half an inch of paper one way, then the other, to form an accordion. For younger kids, a ruler will help keep the lines straight. Do this for the entire length of paper.
Unfold the paper, then tape it to the headband. Bend the headband and accordion folds of paper into a hat. Tape together. Viola, a chef's hat!

For even more authenticity, take a regular sized paper coffee filter and tape just inside the top of the hat. Adults will likely need to do this.

Now with an apron and their very own chef's hat, it's time for everybody to cook!

Lay out everything that you will need prior to the kids arrivals including all baking utensils, ingredients and supplies. You also want to have some food prepared as a stand-by in case one or more of the items you're planning on cooking doesn't work out as expected.

Create two recipe cards for the food each child is preparing; one to look at during preparation and one to put in the child's goody bag. For preschool kids, just put the recipe card in their goody bag so the parents know what they made.

Unplug any kitchen appliances you will not be using and plan on recipes that don't require sharp objects — or limit those preparations for the assistants. Though this is a kids cooking party, it's definitely wise to limit the children to decorating, measuring, pouring, and stirring. For safety purposes, have an adult handle anything involving an oven or stovetop.

Prior to the actual preparation, have kids wash their hands and tie back longer hair (or tuck it into their chef's hat.)

What's on the Menu?

For easiness, creativity and fun factor, nothing beats a pizza! Depending on how many kids will be cooking, lay out a variety of ingredients on the table, and judge whether you think you will need to repeat them on either end to avoid anybody reaching over.

For the pizza crust, either use a pre-made ball of dough for everybody to roll and flatten out, or try pita bread. Once the children have added their favorite toppings, cook in the oven at 450 degrees for ten minutes.

If time permits, offer a couple recipes, such as one main course or snack, and one dessert. This theme is also great if you are hosting a princess tea party, as the kids can brew their own tea and learn how to roll their own sandwiches.

Here are a couple other ideas for yummy kid's recipes:

Egg people — divide hard boiled eggs, and mash the yolks as you would deviled eggs. Use bits of peppers for eyes and alfalfa sprouts for hair.
Tacos — Always fun and messy! Use pre-cooked hamburger and have them fill them with their favorite toppings.
Dessert ideas — Ice cream sundaes, fruit bowls covered with chocolate and different types of sprinkles.

If and while their main course is cooking in the oven, play other games, have them decorate their aprons or place mats, or make another snack food.

The highlight of a kids cooking party, of course, is eating! After all is done, to continue the cooking theme, send the kids home with recipe cards, their apron, chef's hat and placemat, cooking item such as a baking cup liners or cookie cutters, and any leftovers. Yum!

Alternatives to Hosting in Your Kitchen

If you live within walking distance of a restaurant, ask the owner if he'd be willing to give the kids a tour to see how a commercial kitchen operates.

Chris Molnar Bon Appétit!

If the idea of actually throwing a cooking party seems too daunting, look around for a commercial establishment that hosts a cooking class party. Cooking schools or local businesses may be happy to participate in such an event, and all you have to bring is the party ware and the cake.

Written by Chris Molnar, a writer and work at home Dad who is constantly trying to think up ways of entertaining his two preschool kids. He writes about theme parties.