by Theo Chester

Created on: November 17, 2009   Last Updated: December 30, 2009

When you're having a get together, and plan to serve appetizers - don't forget the kids! Children won't always be as ready, or willing, to try some of the same appetizers that are served for the adults. Your young guests will be thrilled to have some of their own favorite foods to snack on while the adults eat and mingle.

Keep the kids interested in the appetizers, without giving them the opportunity to get bored, or to eat heavy foods that will totally spoil their appetites. If you have the space, create a children's area for the appetizers. Make a colorful setting on a table where they'll be able to easily access the food. Try to shy away from tidbits that would create a huge mess on the kids, and in your home. Be sensitive to their allergies and any diet restrictions they may have and avoid those food products.

Use bright, non-breakable plates on the children's table. Eliminate sharp objects and glass items that could cause accidents. The less you have to worry about the better. Enable the children to have free rule in their own area with their own favorite snacks.

Here are some easy food ideas for appetizers that the kids will love to eat:

*Ants On A Log 

Ingredients: Celery, peanut butter, dark raisins

Instructions:

Remove celery from stalks. Clean and string the celery. Cut the stalks and trim. Fill the stalks with peanut butter. Cut each celery stalk in half vertically, then cut in half again horizontally. Place raisins in single file to make a line on top of the peanut butter.

*Pretzels:

Different shapes of pretzels, simply placed into a colored bowl is great for the kids to have for a snack.

*String Cheese and Shaped Crackers:

String cheese is a fun food for the kids to eat. Along with the cheese, place goldfish or other shaped crackers.

*Assorted Vegetable Snacks:

Grape tomatoes are an example of an easy single bite appetizer that they will enjoy. Carrot sticks, broccoli buds and squash slices are also great finger foods for the kids.

*Mini- Pigs In The Blanket:

Ingredients: Use the mini franks to make tiny pigs in the blanket. With a tube of refrigerated crescent rolls and a package of the tiny hot dogs you can make these mini appetizers that the kids and the adults will love.

Instructions : Simply twist the dough around the hot dog. Place on a baking sheet and follow the directions on the can for temperature and time for baking instructions.  Add a small bowl of mustard and one of ketchup to dip the miniature bites.

Simple things always mean a lot. The kids will love their own special appetizers and have tons of fun serving themselves.

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