What is a healthy birthday treat for childcare?
A healthy birthday treat at childcare is simple: choose fruit or raw vegetables, presented playfully, for example in an ice cream cone or as a cucumber crocodile. Sweets and disposable toys put a strain on young children's guts, increase the risk of allergic reactions and often end up in the bin. If you would rather do something for the group, an air-purifying plant or a picture book is a sustainable alternative. Always check with the childcare staff about dietary requirements in the group.
Who is writing this?
Bringing a birthday treat to childcare can sometimes be a challenge. What is really suitable, healthy and responsible? My name is Cesanne. Alongside my administrative work at Kideo, I am an orthomolecular adviser, and I am a proud mother of a toddler son who also attends Kideo childcare. In this blog I share practical tips and ideas to make birthday treats at childcare simple, fun and responsible.
One thing first: choosing a treat should never be a source of stress or pressure. The treat may reflect your preferences and those of the children, without any obligation to meet other people's expectations. Make a choice you enjoy making and that fits what you and the children truly appreciate.
Why give a responsible treat?
Many parents nowadays choose bags of sweets or small toys that can be taken home. That seems convenient, because parents then decide for themselves what their child eats. Yet it is questionable whether such treats offer the pleasure we are aiming for. Toys are forgotten after a few minutes and end up in a corner, sweets disappear at the parents' or in the bin. That makes treating less sustainable and less satisfying, for the birthday child and for the recipients.
Avoiding sweets and unhealthy treats is wise for three reasons:
- Gut health. Young children, especially between 0 and 4 years old, have guts that are still developing. Their digestion struggles with processed foods such as sweets, with lots of sugars, E numbers and preservatives. Those ingredients can put a strain on the gut and contribute to poor digestion.
- Preventing allergies. Watch out for allergies and food intolerances. With a healthy treat you reduce the risk of children coming into contact with ingredients they may be allergic to.
- Sustainability. Sustainable treats, such as fruit or homemade goodies, put less strain on the environment and are often healthier. Without disposable toys and sweets you reduce the mountain of waste and consume more consciously.
And what do you give the staff?
At Kideo there are regular celebrations, so the staff are often showered with cake, chocolate and biscuits. That is appreciated, but there are also other, more thoughtful ways to thank and appreciate the staff.
- Healthy and sustainable gifts: think of reusable water bottles or fairtrade products that contribute to the staff's wellbeing and support their daily routine.
- Gifts with lasting value: educational books or personalised items that are useful and contribute to a positive working experience.
Sustainable and eco-friendly gifts also reduce the environmental impact, an extra valuable message. In this way you contribute to a positive and responsible culture within childcare, and treats become not only more enjoyable, but also much more meaningful.
Why does the baby group not have treats?
At Kideo we do not celebrate birthdays with treats in the baby group (0 to 1 year). That is a deliberate decision to safeguard the health and development of the very youngest. Babies have no need for extra treats: their nutritional needs are fully met by breast milk, follow-on milk and solid foods. Treats can disturb that nutritional balance and are not necessary for their growth.
For children aged 2 to 4, sharing a treat makes a real difference. Seeing the joy of their little friends adds an extra layer of pleasure. Choose fruit or raw vegetables here: healthy, good for a balanced diet and sustainable. Besides, it is much more fun to eat your treat straight away, isn't it?
As an orthomolecular adviser I recommend natural and unprocessed foods, which help children stay healthy and energetic. Check with the staff about dietary requirements or restrictions in the group, so you choose a treat that suits the needs of all the children.
Which treats can you make or give?
I can hear you thinking: "Nice story, but I want tips too!" Here are practical ideas for healthy treats, plus sustainable suggestions for parents who want to contribute something to the group. That can be a fun and meaningful addition too.
Fruit in ice cream cones or paper cups
- Why: presenting fruit playfully makes it more appealing and encourages children to try different kinds of fruit.
- How: make a big bowl with a colourful mix of fresh fruit, such as strawberries, apple and melon. Let the children eat the fruit from a (sugar-free) ice cream cone or a cheerful paper cup. Fun, and you avoid disposable materials.
Cucumber crocodile with banana and kiwi
- Why: a creative way to get children to eat vegetables and fruit, by presenting it in a fun shape.
- How: cut a cucumber into the shape of a crocodile and use pieces of banana and kiwi for the eyes and teeth. Keep the pieces small, so the treat is not too big or difficult for young children to eat.
Air-purifying plant
- Why: plants such as the areca palm or the peace lily can purify the air in the group room and create a healthier learning environment.
- How: choose a low-maintenance plant and let the children help look after it. That fosters a sense of responsibility as well as healthy air quality.
Picture book
- Why: picture books are a wonderful way to enrich children's reading experience.
- How: check with the teacher which books are already there and which themes may be missing.
Whether you choose a playful fruit presentation or a sustainable contribution to the group: there are plenty of ways to make healthy treats and responsible gifts fun and appealing for the children.
Share your treat with us
I am incredibly curious about your creative creations. Have you made something special for a birthday, a party or simply as a nice treat at school? Send a photo of your masterpiece to webwinkel@kideo.nl, and who knows, you may soon see your creation on our social media or even on our website. You can also tag us on Instagram with #kideotraktatie, so we can admire and share your work of art.
Do not forget to visit our website for more information about our nutrition policy and healthy treat ideas. For personal tips and inspiration on (children's) nutrition you can follow me on Instagram at @cesannes_healthy_food, or visit my website cesanneshealthyfood.com.
Lots of love,
Cesanne
Summary
- Choose fruit or raw vegetables as a treat: healthy, sustainable and fun to eat straight away.
- Sweets and disposable toys put a strain on young children's guts, increase the risk of allergies and often end up in the bin.
- In the baby group (0 to 1 year) Kideo does not do treats; babies get everything they need from breast milk, follow-on milk and solid foods.
- For the staff, a reusable water bottle, fairtrade products or an educational book are a thoughtful alternative to cake and biscuits.
- Check with the staff about dietary requirements in the group, and choose something you enjoy giving.
Frequently asked questions
Why no sweets as a treat at childcare?
The guts of children between 0 and 4 years old are still developing. Sweets contain lots of sugars, E numbers and preservatives, which put a strain on the gut. Besides, sweets often disappear at the parents' or in the bin.
What can you give the group instead of a treat?
An air-purifying plant, such as an areca palm or peace lily, or a picture book. Check with the teacher which books and themes are already there.
