Page 5 | To think fruit shoots are okay for 6-7 year olds?

NameChanger2028 · 2026-09-21T13:27:52+00:00

...or do i need to find a healthier option? This is for DD's 7th party next week. Self catered, 25 x 6-7 year olds (most of them still 6). No access to drinking water due to venue location. I'm taking usual kids party food - ham / cheese sandwiches, cheese, fruit & veg platters, mini sausages etc. I'm struggling for drinks as will be unable to do the usual jugs of squash/water. So I'm looking for a pre-packed option. Will get bottles of water but a bit boring to have that as the only option at a kids party, so would like the kids to have an option of a flavoured drink - are fruit shoots okay to give out to all the kids or will the other parents judge? I know actual fruit juice cartons may be better - but serving, actual fruit, cake and sweet cones, so ideally the drink will be lower sugar. fruit shoots are what I'm thinking....

Thisusernameisalwaysavailable · 22/09/2026 12:02

Elaiatter · 22/09/2026 09:19

Privately I think it's fine for that age. But I admit I'd be too embarrassed to have them at a party, they just have a certain reputation. I've been to one party where they were served and the parents weren't from the UK and didn't know the stigma they carry. I usually serve juice cartons, or watered down juice, plus bottles of water.

I prefer individual cartons or bottles at party, I always imagine large jugs being knocked over and cups get mixed up.

I've been to literally hundreds of kids parties over the years.

not a single person has ever mentioned the "reputation" of fruit shoots....

also the jugs of drink don't generally get knocked over, cups might get mixed up, but generally they just get a new one. You have like..100 cups for 30 kids or whatever. And its much better because they can drink and refill there and then, adults can go round topping up at food time... (and mix flavours, loads of kids like to mix orange and apple & blackcurrant etc)

Verbena91 · 22/09/2026 14:03

Innocent Juicy Waters would be better. Less sugar and no nasties.

blackpooolrock · 22/09/2026 14:23

the words party and healthy food don't belong in the same sentence.

People will judge but who cares what other people think.

Some drinks like innocent smoothies are known to be full of sugar and aren't particularly healthy and they have been pulled up before about certain health claims made about their drinks.

Thisusernameisalwaysavailable · 22/09/2026 14:26

God there's some miserable fucking mothers on here.

Imagine going to party as an adult and being served water and fruit smoothies 😂😂😂

Thisusernameisalwaysavailable · 22/09/2026 14:27

Verbena91 · 22/09/2026 14:03

Innocent Juicy Waters would be better. Less sugar and no nasties.

Who cares? It's party. Give the kids some squash.

Bjorkdidit · 22/09/2026 14:33

Thisusernameisalwaysavailable · 22/09/2026 14:26

God there's some miserable fucking mothers on here.

Imagine going to party as an adult and being served water and fruit smoothies 😂😂😂

I'd rather have that than revolting artificial sweetener laden shite. 'No added sugar' is a red flag not a good thing.

I'd get something like this

Naturis Orange Juice from Concentrate | Lidl

Naturis Orange Juice from Concentrate - Lidl

Naturis Orange Juice from Concentrate - £ (22.09.2026)

https://www.lidl.co.uk/p/naturis-orange-juice-from-concentrate/p5207532

Greengage1983 · 22/09/2026 14:53

MeowDoku · 22/09/2026 10:25

If health is your concern water is the best option.
I don't give DS prepackaged smoothies they are full of sugar and bad for teeth.
We do make them at home occasionally

@NameChanger2028 squash or fruit shoots will be fine for most, just make sure you also have water, if children are thirsty a fruit shoot isn't much liquid. Also some children don't drink squash (mine doesn't like it, but I also wouldn't be giving him carton smoothies!)

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Neither I, nor the person to were originally responding to, mentioned health, I said they taste awful 😂 why is everyone on mumsnet so weird about food and drink?

MeowDoku · 22/09/2026 15:03

Greengage1983 · 22/09/2026 14:53

Neither I, nor the person to were originally responding to, mentioned health, I said they taste awful 😂 why is everyone on mumsnet so weird about food and drink?

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I'm not in the anti fruit shoot brigade!

Thisusernameisalwaysavailable · 22/09/2026 15:17

Bjorkdidit · 22/09/2026 14:33

I'd rather have that than revolting artificial sweetener laden shite. 'No added sugar' is a red flag not a good thing.

I'd get something like this

Naturis Orange Juice from Concentrate | Lidl

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So have water.

Your cheap orange juice from concentrate isn't exactly the healthiest of choices either, is it? It causes blood sugar spikes, not sugar free, isn't really thirst quenching and if kids need more than one drink it's pushing them to sugar overload, because they may as well be free sugars, it's bad for teeth etc

GreenCaterpillarOnALeaf · 22/09/2026 15:31

The occasional fruit shoot won’t hurt them. Also have water and possibly milk (I always have milk since in my experience there’s always been one asking for it).

I don’t love my kids having them, but I kind of see it as well I have the odd wine or tequila when we go out to dinner, so they can have the odd fruit shoot/milkshake/fizzy juice at a party or if we’re at soft play. Like it’s a bit hypocritical if me and their dad are out doing tequila slammers at our friends birthday parties and then go and say no to them having a fruit shoot at their pals parties 😂.

Thisusernameisalwaysavailable · 22/09/2026 16:46

GreenCaterpillarOnALeaf · 22/09/2026 15:31

The occasional fruit shoot won’t hurt them. Also have water and possibly milk (I always have milk since in my experience there’s always been one asking for it).

I don’t love my kids having them, but I kind of see it as well I have the odd wine or tequila when we go out to dinner, so they can have the odd fruit shoot/milkshake/fizzy juice at a party or if we’re at soft play. Like it’s a bit hypocritical if me and their dad are out doing tequila slammers at our friends birthday parties and then go and say no to them having a fruit shoot at their pals parties 😂.

Edited

Wow
.in all my experience, never once has a child asked for milk at a birthday party when presented with their choices....

BogRollBOGOF · 22/09/2026 19:25

Thisusernameisalwaysavailable · 22/09/2026 15:17

So have water.

Your cheap orange juice from concentrate isn't exactly the healthiest of choices either, is it? It causes blood sugar spikes, not sugar free, isn't really thirst quenching and if kids need more than one drink it's pushing them to sugar overload, because they may as well be free sugars, it's bad for teeth etc

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Blood sugar spikes aren't a major issue for children charging around with excitement at a party (assuming that there isn't a diabetic child attending who actually could be susceptible to issues with their blood sugars going too low or high)

Favouritefruits · 22/09/2026 19:26

Absolutely fine! You’ll still get the odd parent commenting!

JayTea · 23/09/2026 00:21

NameChanger2028 · 21/09/2026 14:50

thanks all - i think I'm overthinking it! I'd thought about innocent smoothies, but most kids struggle with the paper straws and they tend to spill/overflow / get very sticky very quickly. i could make squash with big bottles of water - but would need the squashes, big bottles of water, cups, several jugs and a separate area to make them up. I'm basically looking for pre-made squashes!

Surely you could buy the big water bottles ahead, take out a cup worth and mix up the squash directly in the bottles? Then you can have them in a cooler or similar to transport and serve from? Skip the jugs. Just need cups. Can write the flavours on the bottle
or go for a mix of water, individual juices and fruit shoots. Either way you have to transport and carry

CherryKerry · 23/09/2026 00:25

Buy a 5ltr bottle of water, open it in your house, pour a bit out, add squash, put lid back on. Eh voila, ready made squash 😀.

Yhjan · 23/09/2026 01:05

I would just do bottles of water. You could then take one bottle of squash and if anyone doesn’t like their water you can just turn it into squash.

I wouldn’t judge you for serving fruit shoots but they taste like shit so my kids wouldn’t have bothered having one.

Thisusernameisalwaysavailable · 23/09/2026 06:59

BogRollBOGOF · 22/09/2026 19:25

Blood sugar spikes aren't a major issue for children charging around with excitement at a party (assuming that there isn't a diabetic child attending who actually could be susceptible to issues with their blood sugars going too low or high)

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I know...

it's one party and 200ml of squash. The PP was making out like people are poisoning kids and how unhealthy squash is etc and then went on to suggest a different drink which was no better really.

ParentsTrapped · 23/09/2026 20:46

Greengage1983 · 22/09/2026 09:43

Innocent drinks don't have additives. That's their whole USP.

Innocent Kids Apples & Blackcurrants Fruit Smoothies | Waitrose & Partners

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I know! I was talking about fruit shoots.

Peonies12 · 23/09/2026 20:50

So much plastic waste though. buy the biggest plastic bottle of water you can, pour a bit out, add squash. Paper cups, done.

MammaJ14 · 24/09/2026 01:03

Thisusernameisalwaysavailable · 22/09/2026 06:44

Kids love a little bottle of squash!

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In your opinion

garlictwist · 24/09/2026 03:38

It’s a party. Would you want to go to a party and drink water? No, it’s a fun celebration. I think it’s fine.

Bloau · 24/09/2026 06:42

MammaJ14 · 24/09/2026 01:03

In your opinion

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I don't think you can deny fruit shoots are popular. They have been around for years, are in every soft play and supermarkets have created their own brands. My child only drinks water but I still understand other children enjoy squash.

pinkishtongue · 24/09/2026 07:18

if you’d normally do squash, why not get big bottles of water and add a bit of squash to them?

Sartre · 24/09/2026 07:25

dreamingofgoodhair · 21/09/2026 16:07

More sugar in an Innocent smoothie if that’s your concern.

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There is but at least it’s natural sugar, not the rubbish chemicals in a fruit shoot. That said, no child ever died from consuming a fruit shoot so it’s absolutely fine.