Parties for Kids with Food Allergies

Filed in archive Food Allergies , Living with Allergies on August 27, 2007

Tracy, a contributor at the Boston Mamas, shares some tips for parents with food allergic kids when attending or hosting parties. Tracy's son has multiple allergies to milk and milk products, eggs, peanuts, and thinks it's vital to collaborate with the other parents involved in the party.

When attending parties, she suggests going along with your kid, either to help the hosts, or to tag-along, "fade into the background only to surface at cake time". I think volunteering to help is a great subtle move, but I'd be more attentive that just during the cake-time, though. Of course, bring your kid's Epi-Pens and/or other medications and inform the hosts where they can be found and how to use them should it be necessary.

Tracy also gives pointers to consider if you're hosting a party and you've got a food-allergic child invited. Aside from the food and cake, you'll also have to be extra careful with the items that go in the pinata, if you're having one.

Most piñata filling kits have candy and chocolate in them, and most don't have ingredients listed on them. If you can't find a kit that only contains small toys, and no candy, my suggestion would be to skip it if you know there is a food allergic kid coming. Fall back on other traditional party games, that kids find just as fun (pin the tail on the donkey, hot potato, musical chairs, 3-legged races, drop the penny, etc.)

See Tracy's full article for more tips.