Childrens Party Ideas for Creative Salads

When thinking about childrens party ideas you only have to look to the past. The candle salad developed in the South during the 1950’s and 1960’s. This fruit salad recipe was one that all the children liked. This childrens recipe was so simple to make that many children made them... it was a way for moms to get their children to eat foods that were good for them.

Candle Salad great for childrens party ideas

It starts by laying a piece of lettuce on a salad plate. Next place a slice of fresh peeled and cored pineapple (about ½ inch thick) on the lettuce. Place half of a banana in the hole of the pineapple slice. Some use only mayonnaise to show the melted wax at the top of the banana. I mix a little peanut butter with mayonnaise; it adds the nutritional value of peanut butter, the kids like the peanut butter and it shows up better on the banana. Last a bright red maraschino cherry is added to the top of the banana to resemble a burning flame.



Throughout the years since the innovation of the Candle salad, this popular fruit salad recipe has become known as a vintage salad. It even gained notoriety in the movie “Lives of Bees” a Lifetime movie about the “Old South”.

RAGGEDY ANN AND ANDY SALADS

Raggedy Ann and Andy Children's SaladRaggedy Ann and Andy salad

Raggedy Ann and Andy were brother and sister. These fictional characters were created in the early 1900’s by a father for his daughter. As most of you know, these characters became very popular to the children. These character salads will also be a great hit for your children and a good way to give them healthy foods.

  • Head- hard boiled egg with one side cut to lay flat
  • Hair- Shredded yellow cheese
  • Body- half of peach or half of pear
  • Legs/ Arms- celery sticks (could use carrot sticks for Andy’s pants)
  • Eyes/ nose/ buttons/shoes- raisins
  • Skirt for Ann-ruffled leaf
  • Grass to stand on-shredded lettuce

FLOWER SALAD RECIPE 

Like the candle salad and the Raggedy Ann and Andy, children will also love this flower salad. It also is good to serve to adults as an appetizer. The mashed potatoes make a great spread for pita bread. It is one of the easy childrens party ideas.

Whip up mashed potatoes, adding a little softened cream cheese, some fresh minced garlic and salt; Beat until light and fluffy and refrigerate until cold.

Scoop a round ball (size of baseball but flat on one side) of mashed potatoes on a salad plate.

Cut petal shapes from red or yellow bell peppers; arrange around the ball of mashed potatoes.

Cut a round slice from a small cucumber; press it in the center of the mashed potatoes for the flower center.

Serve with fresh pita triangles.

BUNNY RABBIT PLATES

Childrens party ideas should get a child’s attention.
For each plate line it with lettuce.

  • Place ½ of canned pear on top.
  • Place 2 raisins in pear for eyes.
  • Place 1 red cinnamon candy for the nose.
  • Place celery sticks for the ears.
  • Scoop a small ball of cottage cheese to make a tail.

A MOUSE’S FRUIT SALAD

Be creative in coming up with childrens party ideas.

  • For each plate line with leaf lettuce.
  • Place a half of pear cut side down.
  • Place 6 inch piece of licorice at wide end of pear for tail.
  • Place 3 pieces (1 Inch) of licorice at each side of narrow end of pear for whiskers.
  • Place 2 raisins at narrow end for eyes and 2 almonds above raisins for ears.
  • Insert 1 re cinnamon candy at tip of narrow end of pear for nose.
  • Place 2 Tablespoons of processed cheese food on plate by nose.

APPLE SLICES

Some childrens party ides can be made by the children like these apple slices.

  • 5 Medium apples (Peel and slice)
  • 1 Package Jell-o (Strawberry, etc.; try sugar free)
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice

Place apple slices in zip lock bag; add lemon juice and Jell-o.
Shake bag gently until coated; chill until ready to eat.
NOTE: Kids love to shake their own in little bags.

STUFFED LETTUCE HEAD

Some childrens party ideas make your child want to “dig in” to eating vegetables.

  • 1 Compact head of lettuce
  • 2 Packages (3 Ounces each) softened cream cheese
  • 1/3 Cup crumbled blue cheese (Room temperature)
  • ¼ Cup mayonnaise
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh chives
  • 2 Tablespoons finely chopped green bell pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons finely chopped red onion
  • 2 Tablespoons finely chopped walnuts
  • 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Dash hot sauce
  • Additional vegetable pieces for face.

Cut out core of lettuce; hollow out center leaving 1 inch thick shell.
Wash, drain well and pat dry.
Beat the cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth and blended.
Add chives and next 5 ingredients; mix until well blended.
Pack cheese mixture in the center of the lettuce head.
Use vegetable pieces to make a face on cheese center.
NOTE: For instance use shredded carrot for hair; red pepper for mouth, etc.
Wrap lettuce head in damp paper towels then in foil.
Chill for 2 to 3 hours; cut in wedges to serve

HIDDEN PEAR DESSERT

Be creative with your childrens party ideas using various types of molds.

  • 1 Can (16 Ounces) pears (Drain and reserve liquid)
  • 1 Package (3 Ounces) lime Jell-o
  • 1 Package (3 Ounces) softened cream cheese
  • ¼ Teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 Container (12 Ounces) whipped topping

Bring pear liquid to a boil in saucepan; stir in Jell-o until dissolved.
Remove from heat and cool at room temperature until syrupy.
Puree pears in food processor; set aside.
In mixing bowl beat cream cheese and lemon juice until smooth and fluffy.
Add pureed pears to the cheese mixture; mix until well blended.
Fold whipped topping into the pear mixture; fold cool gelatin into pear mixture.
Pour mixture into 4 ½ cup fish or animal mold OR 6-8 small kid’s molds.
Chill overnight; unmold to serve.