Children love parties. The games, prizes and balloons excite them. Of course, party foods keep them going as well. To make sure toddlers enjoy eating their food, try these classic party foods for kids. These will make their tummies happy and will keep that big grin plastered on their faces for hours.

Spaghetti

Pasta is one all-time favorite of kids and even adults. Spaghetti is one great party food that you can do really cheaply. Regular spaghetti will do, but if you want to put an exciting twist to this meal, opt for pastas that come in fun shapes like penne or bunny and alphabet shapes.

Kid Pleasing Spaghetti

You will need:

• 8 ounces spaghetti (cooked and drained)
• 2 ½ cups spaghetti sauce
• 1 ½ pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• 3 tbsp. Butter
• 1 ½ cup milk
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 ½ cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 2 tbsp. Flour

Procedure:

• In medium heat, cook beef and onion in a pan. Drain. Add spaghetti sauce. Boil for 10 minutes and mix the pasta. Set aside.
• Melt butter in a pot. Mix salt and flour. Add milk and let it simmer.
• Stir in Parmesan and cheddar cheese. Mix until it melts.
• Place spaghetti in a baking dish. Top with spaghetti mixture and cheese. Bake under 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.

Pizza

Toddlers go crazy over pizzas. To make it more fun, why not let each child build their own mini pizzas.

You will need:

• English muffins
• Spaghetti sauce
• Fresh Parmesan cheese (shredded)
• Sausage
• Pepperoni
• Few slices of mushroom, bell pepper and onion

Procedure:

• Pre-cook spaghetti sauce, sausage, pepperoni, bell pepper, mushroom and onion.
• Let toddlers lather spaghetti sauce onto the English muffins. Have them pick out the toppings they want. After which, sprinkle Parmesan cheese.
• Use toaster ovens instead of a kitchen oven to cook the mini pizzas. Heat the pizzas for 10 minutes under 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sandwiches

Since it is a party and children prefer different types of sandwiches, it is best to make simple sandwiches they can eat like a regular meal. Use cookie cutters to cut loaf breads into shapes. Burger buns are also perfect. Add some oven baked potato chips or fries and a few slices of carrots, lettuce and peas to complete the meal.

Sloppy Joe Sandwiches

You will need:

• 1 ½ cup leftover spaghetti sauce with meat
• 1 green bell pepper (seeded and chopped)
• 4 burger buns (halved)
• ½ cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp. mustard
• 2 tbsp. Dried basil leaves

Procedure:

• Heat spaghetti sauce, mustard, ketchup, green bell pepper and basil leaves into a saucepan under medium heat. Cook for 5 minutes and bring to a boil.
• Ladle mixture onto the buns. Serve hot.

Kids Trail Mix

Finger foods are another favorite of toddlers. Make it a healthy food by adding fruits and nuts. Just put it in a large Ziploc bag and shake to mix. Pour them in a cheery looking bowl and serve.

You will need:

• 4 cups whole-wheat cereal
• ½ cup raisins
• ½ cup dried fruit bits (cherries, cranberries, blueberries)
• ½ cup assorted nuts (peanut, walnut, almond or cashew nuts)

Chocolate Chip Cookies

You will need:

• 1 tsp. Salt
• 1 tsp. Baking soda
• 1 tbsp. Vanilla extract
• 16 tbsp. Butter (softened)
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs (beaten)

Procedure:

• Mix baking soda, flour and salt together in a bowl. Combine eggs, butter, vanilla, sugar and cocoa in a separate bowl.
• Stir flour mixture into butter mixture until combined. Add chocolate chips and mix.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place palm-sized dough into greased baking sheets.
• Bake for 10 minutes.

Make Your Own Ice Cream Sundae

Children love ice cream, so you will thrill them all when you announce they get to decorate their own ice cream sundae. Give each child an ice cream cone or a glass and let them pick out everything they want.

You will need:

• 3 gallons ice cream (in Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla flavors)
• 1 cup assorted fresh fruits (chopped)
• 1 cup colored and chocolate sprinkles
• Hershey’s chocolate or strawberry cream
• Whipped cream
• Chocolate chips