Happy Meals: Planning the Kids' Menu

by Laura Goldberg, Posted Jul 1st 2010 1:30PM

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When planning your wedding reception, it is always important to consider the pickiest table of eaters in the room -- the kid's table. Not everyone invites children to their wedding, but if you do, don't despair when it comes to the menu. No need to rely on the old chicken fingers standby, either. There's a myriad of options out there to appease even the most difficult of pint-sized diners.

Just keep in mind, when in doubt, these three rules for the kids' table: Don't let different foods touch each other; forget about the "green stuff"; and keep a fun attitude during the meal at all times.

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Kid-Friendly Meals

Does it get any more kid-friendly than pizza? Calling up a pizza joint or the nearest Domino's won't be necessary. In fact, miniature pizzas are likely a more manageable option for small hands. Ask your caterer about making petite homemade versions or even English-muffin pizzas. Remember how much you loved the nooks and crannies, glossed with tomato sauce and topped with gooey cheese?

Kid-Friendly Meals

Tomato sauce can also take center stage with a hearty bowl of pasta. Fusilli is a fun shape for kids, and less messy than spaghetti when smothered with red sauce. A sprinkling of sharp Parmesan cheese should be acceptable to the young diners too, but refrain from basil or other herbs, which are likely to spark tyke resistance

Kid-Friendly Meals

Another way to go is hamburgers in miniature form. Sliders are a terrific bite-sized option to larger meaty hamburgers that may overwhelm a toddler. Heck, even older kids (read adults!) adore these scaled-down sandwiches on soft buns, filled with ground beef patties. Have ketchup on hand, in case this beloved condiment is called for, as well as paper cones filled with golden brown, crisp french fries or tater tots to serve as a tasty accompaniment.

Kid-Friendly Meals

Keeping those fries or tots on the table, grilled cheese sandwiches can be a great choice too. Think brioche bread, crusts removed and a flavorful cheddar or classic American melted inside. If you want to sneak something nutritous into the mix, try a few well-hidden apple slices in between the bread as well.

Kid-Friendly Meals

Speaking of cheese, what child doesn't love a bowl of macaroni and cheese? Most kids are used to the orange stuff out of the box, but no reason not to introduce them to the wonders of a real bechamel-based version with non-reconstituted cheese. Just be sure that the dish isn't too dissimilar from what they are used to at home. A crunchy baked top may sound wonderful to you, but could elicit an "ick" from a wee diner. And a bit of orange cheddar in the recipe will also assure a certain kid-approved comfort level.

Kid-Friendly Meals

If these picks don't do the trick, believe it or not, the humble peanut butter and jelly sandwich may be an ideal choice. Cut them into tea sandwiches with playfully shaped cookie-cutters (think zoo animals, flowers, trucks, etc.) and suddenly a very ordinary kid standard becomes something special.

Kid-Friendly Meals

Another menu plan that is sure to please is breakfast for dinner. Admit it: You crave that once in a while too! Silver-dollar pancakes or french toast sticks with maple syrup are sure-fire winners.

Kid-Friendly Meals

And, believe it or not, dessert may be your best bet for bringing something healthy to the kids' table. Fruit is a favorite with most children, especially when cut into bite-sized pieces. Sugary canteloupe, bright yelow pineapple, deep purple grapes off the vine, crisp apple slices and fresh strawberries cut in half. It's all colorful, juicy and sweet -- and filled with nutrients and vitamins. A healthy home-run!

Kid-Friendly Meals

Still, you may feel the urge to tempt the youngsters with a decadent treat at the end of the wedding. That said, your wedding cake may be a tad too sophisticated for their untrained palates. Instead, consider a plate of warm, just-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies. And, don't be surprised if your biggest problem with this dessert will be keeping them away from the grown-ups in the room.

Kid-Friendly Meals

More ideas for your wedding menu: