When you are preparing for a children's birthday, there is a lot to consider when organizing a festive and unforgettable experience. An essential part of this is the snack platter, which should not only be attractive to the little ones, but also safe and healthy. After all, you want your children to enjoy delicious treats without having to worry about inappropriate ingredients. In this blog post, we will help you make the best choices for a child-friendly snack platter, so that you can enjoy the party with peace of mind and your children can marvel at all the delicious things you have prepared. Let's work together to create a tasty and cheerful treat that will win the hearts of the children!
What is a drinks board?
A borrelplank is a versatile and attractive way to present a variety of snacks during a social event. The concept originates from the traditional Dutch cosiness, where friends and family come together to enjoy tasty snacks and drinks. A borrelplank is not only a visual spectacle, but also a way to combine a variety of flavors and textures, making it an ideal choice for parties, drinks or informal dinners.
Origin of the snack board
The origins of the borrelplank lie in Dutch food and drink culture. The idea of serving various snacks on a board comes from the need for social interaction and sharing of delicacies. Traditionally, a borrelplank contains various types of cheese, sausage, nuts, olives and bread, often accompanied by dips such as hummus or tapenade. It is a way to offer guests a variety of flavors, so that everyone can find something to their taste.
Traditional elements of a drinks platter
When composing a traditional snack platter, there are a few basic elements that often return. Below you will find an overview of these typical ingredients:
- Cheeses: Various types of cheeses such as Old Cheese, Brie, and Goat Cheese are popular choices.
- Sausages: Salami, chorizo and other dried sausages add a savory flavor.
- Bread: Freshly baked baguettes, crackers or bread sticks are essential to balance the flavors.
- Nuts: Salted or unsalted nuts, such as almonds or walnuts, provide a crunch.
- Olives and pickled vegetables: These add a salty and spicy flavor.
- Dips: Hummus, guacamole or tzatziki are delicious additions that complete the plank.
Child-friendly snack platter
A kid-friendly snack platter focuses on creating an appealing and healthy snacking experience for children. The goal is to entice children to try different flavors, while also keeping it nutritious. Here are some tips and ideas for creating a kid-friendly snack platter:
Healthy and colorful options
- Fruit: Cut colorful fruits like strawberries, grapes, pineapple and cucumber into fun shapes.
- Vegetables: Offer a selection of baby carrots, cherry tomatoes and peppers, possibly with a yoghurt dip.
- Cheese: Use child-friendly cheeses such as Leerdammer or young matured cheese, cut into playful shapes.
- Nuts and seeds: Choose unsalted nuts or seeds, such as sunflower seeds, for a healthy crunch.
- Whole wheat crackers: Provide healthier options such as Wasa or LU whole wheat crackers.
- Yogurt: Small bowls of Greek yogurt with honey and fruit as a topping.
Example of a child-friendly drinks platter
Here's an example of what a kid-friendly snack platter might look like:
| Ingredient | Example | Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit | Strawberries, Bananas | Healthy, sweet and colorful |
| Vegetables | Cucumber, Bell Pepper | Full of vitamins |
| Cheese | Leerdammer, Young Matured | Easy to eat |
| Nuts | Unsalted Almonds | Healthy fats |
| Crackers | Wasa Whole Wheat Crackers | Rich in fiber |
| Dip | Hummus or Yogurt | Increases attractiveness |
Creative presentation
A snack board is not only a matter of content, but also of presentation. Using a beautiful wooden board or a colorful serving dish can increase the appeal of the snacks. You can also use small bowls for dips and to present fruit or nuts. This makes the board not only functional, but also a feast for the eyes.
By creating a kid-friendly snack platter, parents can encourage their children to explore healthy and varied foods while enjoying a fun and interactive dining experience.
Important Considerations When Creating a Child-Friendly Snack Platter
A kid-friendly snack platter can be a fun and healthy way to introduce children to different flavors and textures. When putting together this snack platter, there are several important factors that parents should consider.
Avoiding Allergens
One of the first things parents should consider is avoiding common allergens. Especially if there are multiple children present, it is wise to identify allergies. Some common allergens include:
- Peanuts
- Nuts
- Milk
- Gluten
- Egg
Make sure you offer alternatives that do not contain these allergens. For example, for nuts you can choose Lays Crisps or Popcorn as a crunchy snack option. For cheese, choose plant-based varieties such as Violife or Alpro.
Variety of Textures and Flavors
Children often have preferences for certain textures and flavors. It is important to offer a variety of both to keep them interested. Here are some suggestions:
- Crispy: Carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and bell peppers.
- Soft: Hummus from Hummus Bros or guacamole from Holy Guacamole.
- Sweet: Fresh fruits such as strawberries, grapes and apple slices.
By offering different textures, such as crunchy vegetables combined with creamy dips, you make the snack platter more appealing to children.
Healthy Ingredients
Using healthy ingredients is crucial, not only for nutrition, but also to encourage children to make healthier choices. Consider the following products:
- Yogurt: Choose natural yoghurt from Activia or Alpro, which is a good source of calcium.
- Whole wheat crackers: Like Ritz Whole Wheat or Kraft Crackers, which provide a good source of fiber.
- Snack vegetables: Such as mini tomatoes and radishes, which are rich in vitamins and minerals.
By offering these healthy options, you help children develop a balanced diet.
Attractiveness of the Borrelplank
A beautiful presentation can make all the difference in how children experience a snack platter. Here are some tips to make the snack platter appealing:
- Use color: Provide a colorful mix of fruits and vegetables. A rainbow of colors can motivate children to try new things.
- Creative arrangement: Use fun shapes. Cut fruits and vegetables into fun shapes using cutters.
- Dips in small bowls: Use small, colorful containers for dips like hummus or salsa, like the Bento Snack Sets from System.
Examples of Snack Board Combinations
Here are some examples of attractive snack platters that parents can consider:
| Components | Example 1 | Example 2 | Example 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crispy Elements | Carrot and cucumber sticks | Bell pepper and celery sticks | Mini crackers from Lu |
| Creamy Dips | Hummus from Hummus Bros | Guacamole from Holy Guacamole | Yogurt dip from Activia |
| Sweet Snacks | Strawberries with a little chocolate | Grapes and apple slices | Dried apricots |
By combining these elements, you create a snack platter that is not only healthy and nutritious, but also visually appealing and inviting to children.
Kid-Friendly Snack Ideas
When putting together a children's snack platter, it is important to choose snacks that are not only healthy, but also attractive and tasty. Below we present a list of specific snacks, including tips for fun presentations and decoration.
fruit skewers
Fruit is a great choice for a kid-friendly snack. Offering fruit in the form of skewers makes it even more appealing to children.
Examples of Fruit Skewers:
- Strawberries, Bananas and Grapes: This combination is colorful and sweet. For example, use Dutch strawberries, Chiquita bananas and Hannibal grapes.
- Tropical Mix: Make skewers with pineapple, kiwi and mangoThis gives an exotic touch to your drinks platter.
Presentation Tips:
- Use fun, colorful toothpicks or metal skewers.
- Add small pieces of coconut flakes or a pinch of lemon juice for extra flavor and a fresh look.
Mini Sandwiches
Mini sandwiches are easy to make and can be personalized in a variety of ways.
Suggestions for Fillings:
- Chicken fillet and avocado: Usage Duke Jan chicken fillet and spread some avocado on it.
- Hummus and Cucumber: For a vegetarian option, use Alpro hummus with thin slices of cucumber.
- Nutella and Banana: For a sweet treat, spread a slice of bread with Nutella and add banana slices.
Presentation Tips:
- Cut the sandwiches into fun shapes using a cookie cutter.
- Serve them on a colorful plate or a wooden board.
Vegetables with Dip
Offering vegetables with a tasty dip can encourage kids to snack healthier.
Recommended Dips:
- Yogurt Dip: Mix Yoplait yogurt with a little dill and garlic powder.
- Hummus: Hummus from Humus & More is a popular choice.
- Guacamole: Make it with Avocado from the Market and serve with sliced vegetables.
Vegetable options:
- Carrots: Cut into sticks.
- Bell pepper: Use different colors for a more attractive look.
- Cherry tomatoes: These are perfect for dipping and have a sweet taste.
Cheese cubes
Cheese is a nutritious snack that children often enjoy. It can be served simply as cubes or in fun shapes.
Recommended Cheeses:
- Old Amsterdam: This is a well-known cheese that can be cut into cubes.
- Leerdammer: This cheese has a milder taste and is also popular with children.
- Mozzarella Balls: Buffalo Mozzarella is a great option for a creamy snack.
Presentation Tips:
- Use different colored toothpicks to skewer the cheese cubes.
- Make a cheese board and add some grapes for extra variety.
Healthy Options
In addition to the snacks mentioned above, there are also other healthy options that will appeal to kids.
Examples of Healthy Snacks:
- Popcorn: Make fluffy popcorn with a pinch of salt. For example, use Private Label Popcorn for a cheap option.
- Nut mix: Serve a mix of unsalted nuts, such as Pistachios and Almonds from Duyvis.
- Whole Wheat Crackers: Choose for Ritz Whole Wheat Crackers as a healthier alternative to regular crackers.
Presentation Tips:
- Arrange snacks in small bowls for an organized look.
- Use a large, colorful bowl for a visually appealing presentation.
By using these ideas, you'll find that putting together a kid-friendly snack platter is not only easy, but can also be fun and creative.
Conclusion: The ideal drinks board for children summarized
In conclusion, putting together a kid-friendly snack platter requires attention to variety, health and presentation. Make sure to offer a mix of colours, flavours and textures so that children are encouraged to try different foods. Choose healthy options such as vegetables, fruits and whole grain snacks, which are not only nutritious but can also be presented attractively. By decorating the snack platter creatively and playfully, you make it extra fun for the children to enjoy the treats during the birthday. With these recommendations in mind, you can put together a snack platter that is both tasty and kid-friendly.
