Forget boring cake and ice cream; these kids birthday party snack food ideas will impress your adult guests while delighting the little ones!
30 Fun Kids Birthday Party Snacks
Mini Mac & Cheese Bites
Young relatives were coming for a Christmas party, so I wanted something fun for them to eat. Instead, the adults devoured my mini mac and cheese. —Kate Mainiero, Elizaville, New York
1/30
2/30
Easy Puppy Chow
Total Time
15 min
Servings
13 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This easy puppy chow recipe uses whole packages so there are no fussy leftovers. Plus, it makes enough to feed a hungry crowd at your child’s birthday party. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 229 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 146mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
Serve one of these tasty birthday dinner ideas, too.
3/30
Movie Theater Pretzel Rods
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
32 pretzel rods
From the Recipe Creator:
My kids and all their friends clamor for the large, chewy pretzel rods. They are fantastic fresh from the oven. —Lisa Shaw, Burnettsville, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 pretzel rod: 69 calories, 1g fat (1g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 156mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
4/30
Cheesy Pepperoni Buns
Total Time
25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A pizza version of the sloppy joe, this hot and melty open-faced sandwich is a surefire kid pleaser. Adults love it, too! —Tanya Belt, Newcomerstown, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
2 open-faced sandwiches: 280 calories, 14g fat (6g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 612mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein.
5/30
Cinnamon Monkey Bread
Total Time
55 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Is it possible for four kids to cook together without total chaos in the kitchen? Yes, with the right recipe! This cinnamon roll monkey bread is a favorite with my bunch. They get to "play" as they roll pieces of refrigerated biscuit dough into balls. —Lisa Combs, Greenville, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 133 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 174mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
6/30
Fruit and Cheese Kabobs
Total Time
20 min
Servings
12 kabobs (1-1/2 cups dip)
From the Recipe Creator:
We came up with this fresh and fruity summer snack idea. It’s easy to make ahead and carry to the ballpark, beach or playground, and the cinnamon-spiced yogurt dip adds a fun touch kids love. We love to serve it at summer parties, too! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 kabob with 2 tablespoons dip: 147 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 143mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
7/30
Root Beer Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When it's too difficult to take along root beer floats on a picnic, take these cookies instead! I've found the flavor is even better the next day. The hard part is convincing my family to wait that long before sampling them.—Violette Bawden, West Valley City, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 130 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 96mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
8/30
Mini Burgers with the Works
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I started preparing these mini burgers several years ago as a creative way to use up bread crusts accumulating in my freezer. They’re delicious and a kid-friendly finger food. —Linda Lane, Bennington, Vermont
Nutrition Facts:
1 burger: 68 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 153mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
9/30
Frozen Berry & Yogurt Swirls
Total Time
15 min
Servings
10 pops
From the Recipe Creator:
I enjoy these frozen yogurt pops because they double as a healthy snack and a cool, creamy sweet treat. Kids love them at birthday parties, too! —Colleen Ludovice, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 pop: 60 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 28mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch.
10/30
Rainbow Gelatin Cubes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
9 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These perky gelatin cubes are fun to serve and to eat! I vary the colors to match the occasion—pink and blue for a baby shower, school colors for a graduation party, and so on. Kids of all ages snap them up. —Deanna Pietrowicz, Bridgeport, Connecticut
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 25 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 13mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
11/30
Ranch Snack Mix
Total Time
15 min
Servings
32 servings (6 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a wonderful fast-to-fix munchie. The recipe makes tons and doesn't involve any cooking. It's a cinch to package in individual snack bags, it keeps its crunch and it's a savory alternative to the cakes and pies usually offered at bake sales. —Linda Murphy, Pulaski, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 185 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 357mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
12/30
Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Rods
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 4-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Kids of all ages enjoy making and eating these fun treats. The decorated pretzels are a pretty gift in a cellophane bag or a glass jar. —Kay Waters, Benld, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 pretzel: 245 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 278mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
13/30
Mini Mac & Cheese Dogs
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
We wanted to get creative with hot dogs, so we made a mac-and-cheesy one. Pile on the extra cheese, relish and even bacon. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 198 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 446mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
14/30
Pesto Pinwheels
Total Time
30 min
Servings
20 pinwheels
From the Recipe Creator:
I took a couple of my favorite recipes and combined them into these delicious hors d'oeuvres. The colorful and impressive snacks come together easily with refrigerated crescent roll dough, prepared pesto sauce and a jar of roasted red peppers. —Kathleen Farrell, Rochester, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 pinwheel: 76 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 201mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
15/30
Sugar N Spice Popcorn
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
Our family can't get enough of this light, cinnamon-sweet popcorn. The baked kernels are wonderfully crunchy and coated just right. Try mixing some to have on hand as an anytime nibble.
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 62 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 59mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch.
16/30
Fruit Pizza
Total Time
45 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These pretty fruit pizzas have been a hit every time I've served them. They start with premade cookie dough, making them super simple. —Janet O'Neal, Poplar Bluff, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 235 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 162mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
17/30
Cheesy Quesadillas
Total Time
15 min
Servings
12 pieces
From the Recipe Creator:
We serve these quesadillas as chili dippers or load them up with salsa and sour cream for a super starter. —Terri Keeney, Greeley, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 111 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 203mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
18/30
Bacon-Wrapped Apricot Bites
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 2 dozen (2/3 cup sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
I love bacon-wrapped recipes, and these sweet-smoky snacks are easy to make and fun to eat, so be prepared with an extra batch. For a change, sprinkle them with a bit of blue cheese or toasted almonds. —Tammie Floyd, Plano, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 47 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 105mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
19/30
Zucchini Pizza Bites
Total Time
20 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This simple snack is the perfect, low-carb way to satisfy your pizza cravings. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 mini pizza: 29 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 108mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
20/30
Brownie Batter Dip
Total Time
10 min
Servings
2-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
I’m all about the sweeter side of dips, and this brownie-batter variety fits in with my life’s philosophy: Chocolate makes anything better. Grab some fruit, cookies or salty snacks and start dunking. —Mel Gunnell, Boise, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 118 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 56mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
21/30
Peanut Butter Granola Pinwheels
Total Time
10 min
Servings
16 pinwheels
From the Recipe Creator:
I came across this easy and tasty snack while searching online for healthy munchies for kids. Great for after school, it's really quick to make and filling enough to hold the kids until dinner. To satisfy heftier appetites or to serve as a power lunch, cut each tortilla into fewer pieces or provide one per child. The recipe is easy to increase as needed. —Mary Haluch, Ludlow, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 60 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 48mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
22/30
Apple Salsa with Cinnamon Chips
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 cups salsa
From the Recipe Creator:
Both my husband and I were raised on farms, and we prefer home cooking to eating out. That works out fine since I love trying new recipes! I've served this apple salsa as an appetizer and a snack. Plus, it's sweet enough to be a dessert. It's easy to transport besides. —Carolyn Brinkmeyer, Golden, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
4 chips with 1/4 cup salsa: 121 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 126mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
23/30
Marshmallow Pops
Total Time
30 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Making these pops is a fun activity for a children's party because any age can participate. Customize them for holidays or special occasions by rolling them in coordinating colored sprinkles. —Marcia Porch, Winter Park, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 136 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 13mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
24/30
Gooey Chocolate-Peanut Bars
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These are so easy to make and take no time at all. They’re great to package up for those college kids looking for something from home. Everyone will want this recipe. —Elaine Grimme, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
1 bar: 175 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 71mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
25/30
Easy Cheese Straws
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
The five ingredients in this cheese straws recipe transform into long, crisp cracker sticks. The hand-held snacks make for easy mingling at parties.—Elizabeth Robinson, Conroe, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cheese straw: 77 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 113mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
26/30
Marshmallow Fruit Dip
Total Time
10 min
Servings
5 cups (40 servings)
From the Recipe Creator:
You can whip up this sweet and creamy dip in just 10 minutes. I like to serve it in a bowl surrounded by fresh-picked strawberries at spring brunches or luncheons. —Cindy Steffen, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 56 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 24mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
27/30
Baked Wontons
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These quick, versatile wontons are great for a savory snack or paired with a bowl of soothing soup on a cold day. I usually make a large batch, freeze half on a floured baking sheet, then store in an airtight container. —Brianna Shade, Beaverton, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 38 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 103mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
28/30
Muffin-Tin Lasagnas
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a super fun way to serve lasagna for make-ahead lunches, potlucks or other fun get-togethers. My daughter took some of these to work and by noon was emailing me for the recipe. —Sally Kilkenny, Granger, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
2 mini lasagnas: 414 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 970mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein.
29/30
Mini S’mores
Total Time
55 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Want to sink your teeth into s’mores all year long? Here’s the answer! Just combine marshmallow creme, chocolate and graham crackers for an awesome bite.—Stephanie Tewell, Elizabeth, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 145 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 66mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
30/30
Easy Banana Muffins
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This banana muffin recipe goes over so well with kids. Not only are these banana bread muffins like cupcakes, but they’re ready—start to finish—in just half an hour! —Lorna Greene, Harrington, Maine
Nutrition Facts:
1 muffin: 209 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 209mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
Up Next: How to Throw an Amazing Dinosaur-Themed Birthday Party