The good news is that by serving only healthier foods, or even a few transitional things that are still within the diet criteria, you are going to have a whole group of kids who aren’t spiking on artificial chemicals and sugar overload. That alone can make a world of difference from the typical party craze.
It’s been through trial and error that I’ve found what works well. I definitely don’t recommend that you make your child’s food different on the side and provide standard food to the other kids. After all, this is your child’s party and you can make sure that he or she gets the same thing that all the other kids get for once.
Ideas to make it easier on you:
Set the party time mid-afternoon for a 2-3 hour window. That way you can avoid providing an entire lunch or dinner meal.
Make a list of your child’s favorite foods and include them. (The success of any of the following food suggestions will, of course, depend on your child’s unique sensory issues. If your child has limited preferences, keep these in mind for the other kids. Even if yours wouldn’t eat it, keep it within the diet guidelines so you don’t have to say no just in case!)
Don’t underestimate our kids and assume they won’t eat something healthy! Set out a uniquely designed veggie platter with the other snacks and watch it disappear, too.
Make a delicious fruit salad with berries or other in-season fruits. Serve in a clear cup with a blend of fruits as a sauce on top.
There are great homemade non-dairy ice cream recipes and even store-bought brands.
Make cupcakes instead of a birthday cake if you don’t want to serve a GFCF version to everyone. You can provide both, but have them look the same. Better yet, use homemade or store-bought non-dairy ice creams to make an ice cream cake and skip the baking all together.
Give small, inexpensive toys that you can buy in bulk as prizes and goodie bag stuffers instead of candy. As a party activity, make a craft and have that as the take-home gift. (At my daughter’s 6th birthday party, I bought a package of craft gems, some bottles of craft glue, and shot-glass sized tea candle holders. The girls all decorated their candle holders and took them home with a candle inside. It was very inexpensive and they all loved it!)
Make air-popped popcorn instead of the microwaved, chemical covered kind.
Make homemade lemonade (with stevia or agave syrup instead of sugar) or serve plain fruit juice mixed with soda water for fun party drinks. Freeze a berry inside ice cubes for an added touch.
If the party must be scheduled around a main meal, use oven baked potato wedges (or “fries”) as the main base of the meal. Build the rest of the meal around it. If you think of a base that doesn’t include flour products or dairy, then it takes the pressure off of making something without substitutes!
Most importantly, be prepared! Brainstorm and be creative. Remember, the games and entertainment you have will make the party the success, so put most of your efforts there and have fun!