Vegan toddler birthday party

[Rainbowblume]

Hello. I've got 4 toddlers and their mums needing a birthday lunch - what do you think of this menu - we are not vegan and have a child who will eat anything so I'm struggling a bit.

• mushroom 'sausage' rolls
• cut up veg sticks, peppers, cucumber and hummus
• guacamole and crisps
• vegan bread rolls and margarine
• red lentil soup?
• cucumber crocodile with cherry tomatoes and olives stuck in on toothpicks
• fruit on sticks/chopped up
• cupcakes
• birthday cake

I'm also in charge of entertaining the kids whilst their mums drink tea before lunch so it must be all prepped and ready to go. Whip off clingfilm/heat in pot and serve.

Our kid will eat the soup but its not party food. I can't think of anything else though. Any ideas?

Sounds brilliant! Can I ask more about the cucumber crocodile idea because it sounds very cute

You could also look at small bite-size nuggety type things, like falafel, bhaji, pakora type things - this kind of idea goshfreefrom.co.uk/product/sweetcorn-quinoa-bites/ it would be very easy to make something similar yourself.

Rice or corn cakes with various toppings could be fun too, kind of like make your own mini pizza type idea.

As well as guacamole and hummus other dips for veg sticks/crisps/crackers etc could be things like a fresh tomato salsa, lentil-based dip/spread/pâté, cashew-based sour cream/cheese style, I've had lovely dips based on butternut squash or carrot before as well.

You can make veggie roll-ups with cucumber too..... or even vegan sushi?

For the toddlers I would add some small marmite sandwiches and cucumber sandwiches , for some familiar carbs.

Thanks for your ideas. serendipity cucumber crocodiles are very popular here at children's parties - there are lots of instructions on internet. I hope they are good instructions as I have also never made one. We're in a country that doesn't know marmite so I will try it and see what they think!

My niece is addicted to gyoza and plenty of the shop bought ones are actually vegan. I make them semi-regularly and freeze a big batch, they do take time and are fiddly but you can get into a bit of a mediative trance doing them. You can also do sweet versions as well (apple and cinnamon is a firm favourite).

Vegan doesn't have to mean veg!

Unless it needs to be healthy eating stuff...

I'd do jam sandwiches, hula hoops,foxs party rings. Vegan cakes are easy too, most Betty crocker mixes are vegan, just make them up with a can of lemonade (Google) and most of the ready made icings are too.

For the kids, I like serendipitys suggestions for the mums

Pizza swirls...

Homemade tomato sauce, with jus rol puff pastry. (it's vegan)

Just lay out a rectangle of pastry, smother with the homemade tomato sauce, roll up snugly, cut slices and bake according to pastry instructions.

A pesto based pasta salad could be a good option too, sacla do a 'free from' vegan pesto if you dont want to make it youself.

Homemade garlic bread toast? You just need a french stick or sour dough, some vegan spread, and 2 minced cloves of garlic. Mix some spread and minced garlic together. Spread the mixture on slices of whichever bread and pop under grill until golden.

Sweet potato wedges might also work well. Soak the cut wedges for at least an hour before cooking, then drain and bake with a little spray oil for about 40-45 mins. These can be eaten with a nice dip.

I think I want to come now.....

The cucumber crocodile is fab, much more fun than the cheese and pineapple hedgehog of times past.

Thanks so much to you all. I love gyoza too. Will save that idea for getting vegetables into family another time. We get back from holiday Saturday lunchtime and party is Sunday morning. We need to decorate, buy and cook all food on Saturday afternoon/evening. Poor planning so slight panic now.

Bhajis and Falafel - yum!
Sweet potato wedges - win
Pizza swirls - win
Jam sandwiches - win
Pasta salad - win
I've got my vegan cake recipes and already tried them on DH so that's a win too.
I don't think we can get foxes party rings and hula hoops on short notice but Im sure there is something similar. (Not in UK) I'll get them for my own party next year though. grin

I reckon I'm set. You've saved those kids and mums from a sad plate of cruddyteas. Good work vegan mumsnet. Dds birthday party will be tasty.

Tesco frozen mini vegan sausage rolls are really nice :) save you a job and more 'normal' for the meat eaters

I wouldn't reccomend soup or toothpicks at a toddler party. Have you considered things like vegan mini pies for example? Chips are also vegan usually,

Who is vegan if your not?
My experience of toddler parties are the kids are so excited a lot of the food is wasted. But your menu sounds fine even though I've never seen soup at a party.

I'm confused - who is vegan?

Saw the update after my post, new menu sounds great

One of the little guests coming and his mum are vegan. I'd feel rude inviting them then serving stuff they cant eat and everyone can eat vegan food. But as we're not vegan or even vegetarian I needed some help.

That's lovely of you.
We've been to loads of kids parties and no one has ever made the whole party vegan for my kids.

Did you do the party already OP? If so, how did it go?

You sound really nice op!

Btw, jam sandwiches, oreos and party rings are vegan too

It's on Sunday flump - shall I post a photo of birthday lunch table?

Oreos - excellent tip - thanks contessa

Ooooh! Yes! Defo pics please!

For flumpernickel. Only 2 guests in the end with their mums. So limited it.