Halal food for kids party

[avarnlady]

Hi, my son is having his 6th birthday party this month. There will be about 12 kids, 3 of whom are halal. The party is in a church hall that has a small kitchen (but I’d rather not actively be cooking during the party!). Ideally I’d like to serve all the kids the same food, and we feel a bit like pizza has been at every party he’s been to. Does anybody have any suggestions for kid friendly halal party food that’s easy to prep and serve? Thanks so much in advance.

Anything vegetarian will do. If you have a local halal takeaway some fried chicken from there would go down well but honestly pizza and fries are always a winner. The kids won't care that they have it every time.

Just think veggie.

So you can do sandwiches, one tray veggie/cheese and the other one whatever (label though so aware).
Crudites and dips
Crisps
Fruit platter
Popcorn
Jelly pots (check they are veggie - jelly sometimes isn't)
Finger food mini pizzas

If you have to do halal meat, you can get halal sausage rolls. or just do cheese and onion rolls. You can also get halal mini sausages.

Tesco do a range of frozen Halal snacks that might be suitable, but I suggest that if you use them keep the wrappers to show the guests/parents.

I’d probably suggest normal meat products - mini sausages, pork pies, ham sandwiches for the bulk of the children are available plus the vegetarian options for those who would prefer otherwise. I’d strongly be against serving halal meat purely based on the barbaric, unethical slaughter.

yep, just make it all vegetarian and it will automatically be halal.

Almost all seafood is also okay for the large majority of muslims (prawns/tuna) though there are a few seafood items that are more
contentious (if they are types of fish without scales, or shark, some scholars
say not to allow them…. but you’re not going to rock up with a platter of shark to a kids party!)

As a mum who’s done lots of children’s parties with muslim children present, take care to check for hidden meat products in the sweets/party food: don’t get caught out by:
jelly (beef gelatin)
Haribo type sweets (you can get Halal
ones if you live near any muslim-dense areas)
Marshmallows (again, pesky gelatin)
Jammie Dodgers (the branded ones have a V sign but some own brands are not veggie)

So I’d do a party spread with:
Margharita pizza in slices
cheese n onion quiche
Veggie sausage rolls
veggie cocktail sausages
tuna mayo mini sandwiches
cheese mini sandwiches
Cucumber Sticks
Cheese lumps or mini cheese portions
Apple slices
Halved grapes (not whole ones, choking risk)
hula hoops
Wotsits
Monster munch
party iced rings
jammie dodgers

and if you have any parent helpers some oven nibbles for them would probably be gratefully appreciated!

I second keeping hold of wrappers as some Muslim parents are very laid back, but others find it very reassuring to be able to check (as do any mums/dads whose kids have allergies).

Good luck!

I would just stick to vegetarian food. I think fish is OK, so maybe tuna sandwiches as well?