Kids New Year's Eve Party Food

Many kids spend New Years Eve cooped up in the house with a sitter. Often they are sent to bed well before the magic hour of midnight. Let the kids in on the fun this year by letting them host their own kids New Year's Eve Party.

Send out invitations about two weeks in advance to parents and kids have time to make plans. You might want to consider having your party be a sleep over party so parents don't have to venture out to pick up their kids late at night.

One thing all parties need is great food. You don't need to go to a lot of trouble to please kid's palates. A bag of chips and a tub of dip might make everyone happy. But with a more effort, you can whip up some memorable appetizers and treats that will make the evening truly special.

Here are some great ideas for party snacks for a kids New Year's Even party.

Drinks

What better way to toast in the New Year than with a little sparkle in a champagne flute! For kids, this fun tradition can be a reality with out having to break any laws!! Purchase some plastic champagne flutes and some sparkling apple cider or other non-alcholoic sparkling beverage. Or, you can mix up your own Shirley Temples by following this simple recipe:

1 ounce grenadine syrup

6 ounce cranberry juice

4 ounce ginger ale

Mix these three ingredients in a tall glass over ice if desired. Add a paper umbrella with 3 maraschino cherries on the umbrella's handle. Garnish with an orange slice.

Dips

Add a few store bought dips to your spread and the kids will thank you. You can also make a delicious hot artichoke dip that tastes great with vegetables or slices of bread.

Artichoke Dip

1 14 ounce can of artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

2 4 ounce packages of crumbled feta cheese

1 cup mayonnaise

½ cup Parmesan Cheese

1 clove garlic

Mix all ingredients. Spoon into 3 cup shallow baking dish or pie plate. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.

Finger Foods

Mini pizzas can be purchased in the frozen food section of the grocery store and are always a hit with kids. Fruit kabobs are fun to eat, especially when paired with a sweet fruit dip. Cut a variety of fruit into chunks and stick onto bamboo skewers. Apples will not brown if tossed in a small amount of lemon juice. Here are a few other easy and quick finger foods for kids.

Pigs in a Blanket

2 packages of refrigerated crescent rolls

1 package of fully cooked sausages

Oven at 375

Separate dough into 8 triangles, then cut each triangle into thirds, lengthwise. Starting at the short end, roll a sausage up to the point and set on ungreased baking sheet. Continue to wrap each sausage and place on the baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Crab Rangoon

1 package imitation crab meat

1 package cream cheese

1 package won ton wraps

oil for frying

Combine cream cheese and imitation crab meat. Place by the teaspoon full on each won ton wrapper. Fold corners together and pinch the top closed. Deep fry until golden brown.

Sweets

Don't forget to add sweets to your delicious spread. Make up a batch or two of your favorite cookies or bars. A candy dish filled with M&M's will probably disappear quickly, as will any other candy you put out.

Kids will love having their very own New Year's Eve party and having great kid food to go with it will really make it a special evening and a party to remember.