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

[NameChanger2028]

...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....

Totally fine for that age and a party. You can get cheaper own brand ones from Aldi.

Not really understanding why you can’t do squash? Surely you can take some big bottles of water and make the squash up with them?
personally I don’t have an issue with the occasional fruit shoot but some parents I know really dislike their children having them.

Fruit shoots are gross. I buy innocent smoothie multipacks for parties.

Honestly, I don't think anyone expects children's party food to be the pinnacle of healthy eating. An occasional fruit shoot is fine in my opinion and you can still have the water option for those who think otherwise. Hope your dd has a great time at her party!

If it was a choice my DC would definitely prefer juice cartons. Especially ones like the apple & mango in Tesco.
We steer away from the fruit shoots because it’s a lot of plastic for a tiny bit of squash, but not overly fussed. I’m sure anything is fine!

In those circumstances we just did small battles of water and put name stickers on them.

Might be good to have a choice. My own kids didn’t like fruit shoots so wouldn’t have taken them at a party if offered

Of course they’re fine. It’s not caffeinated coke or anything and anyone normal expects a bit of extra sugar at a birthday party. Just have water bottles for any kids that don’t like them and my top tip would be to write names on them bottle with a sharpie to avoid the annoyingness of them taking a sip, abandoning it, then getting a fresh one.

If a parent would judge over a fruit shoot at a party they seriously need to get out more 😆🤣

My 2 year old has a fruit shoot on occasion at a pub or a party. And my other two love them as a treat.

Probably about half of kids parties I've been to have fruit shoots! They are fine. We went for cartons as the volume of plastic slightly horrified me (although my kids have had loads of fruit shoots so I'm hardly a saint in this regard!).

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!

Innocent smoothies that are £3+ for 4, contain 2 sips and there’s 25 kids 🤣🤣

Jesus give them a fruit shoot, it’s not like you’re giving them crack cocaine. Or make up squash in big bottles to take.

I would think its fine. Its a party. Just have some bottles of water for those that don't like them - parents or children (mine wouldn't drink juice at all)

You can make up the squash on advance in the big water bottle. No jugs needed. Although you would need cups. But likely cheaper than fruit shoot and pretty much the same thing.

Yes premake big bottles of squash at home.
Paper cups, job done.

You could go old school with tip tops. Went down well on a brownies panto trip.

Or you could just take the paper cups, big bottles of water and have those ultra concentrated squeezy ones for any kids that want squash?
There’s a risk of them spilling though so I think I personally prefer fruit shoots for a one off party even if it is a lot of plastic.

I would just do cartons of juice.

It's a party, literally what junk food and drinks are designed for. Fruit shoots, squash, it's all fine.

You do need water too, people get thirsty and sugary drinks are not really helpful, but as a treat they're fine.

I’m not anti fruit shoot but you can do mini bottles of water? Or paper cups and a big bottle?

Tip some water out of the big bottles of water, add squash. Take cups to serve. This is what we do for cubs on outdoor events! And have some plain water - not all kids like / are allowed squash 🙂

For a party - perfect

Party-fine. All the time- no.

I doubt smoothies are any healthier really.

Fruit shoots are fine!! Not all the time but certainly tor a party.

the innocent smoothies cost a fortune and lots of kids don’t like them. Plus the paper straws as you said.

my other idea would be those squeeze squash bottles. But you’d need bottles of water still. But you could buys lots of little water bottles and then offer a squeeze of the squash things. Can’t thing what
they’re called/brand.

I'm more worried about the amount of single use plastic tbh. I remember my MIL bought a bunch from the cash and carry once. Hundreds of them. She just thought it would be a good idea for a family BBQ one year. Teenagers and kids were just downing the things one after another and then chucking them straight in the household bin, not even in recycling. Made my eye twitch.

Can't you just get some squash and paper cups? much better for your wallet and the ocean.

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