Just the other day it happened again.  I picked up my 4-year old from preschool, brought her home, and made her a healthy lunch.  We sat down to eat.  Forty-five seconds later, she announced that she was full.  My eyes narrowed.  

"So, sweetie," I said, trying to sound neutral, "was it someone's birthday at school today?"
"Yes! And guess what we got?"
"Brownies?" I guessed.
"No!"
"Cookies?"
"No! Big, chocolate cupcakes!!" she screamed.

I think most parents have, at one time or another, questioned the wisdom of bringing sugary treats to school and after school activities to celebrate every conceivable occasion: St. Patrick's Day, Chinese New Years, Day of the Dead pre-Halloween parties, last day of school before holiday break, first day of school after holiday break, during scout meetings, after soccer games, weekly TGIF celebrations, Back-to-School picnics, report card day, Valentine's Day and, of course, school birthday celebrations for every kid in your child's class...just to name a few!

By my calculations, the typical kid will eat close to 70,000 calories in cupcakes, cookies and brownies, by the time they turn 10. (That's assuming only one of these treats almost every week, starting at age 2).  70,000 calories could lead to 20 pounds of unwanted weight gain.  Fortunately, that doesn't (usually) happen because kids intuitively know they are too full of cupcakes to eat more.  So, the children just skip the vegetables, fruits, milk and other healthy foods all moms know their children need.

I am all for occasional treats.  And I know that some events, like birthday parties, will always call for cupcakes.  But, for many other occasions, kids can enjoy celebrating (and you can still be a cool mom)...without the huge helpings of junk food.  Here are a few kid-tested ideas for healthier contributions in your children's lives:

- Give the kids mini bottles of bubble solution and blow bubbles to celebrate.

- Pass out sheets of cute stickers or tattoo stickers.

- Give each child an inexpensive plastic cup, decorated if you are crafty.  Then fill the cups with a punch made from seltzer water mixed with 100% fruit juice.  You might even teach the kids how to make a celebratory toast.

- Volunteer to do (or send materials for) a theme-related craft (clay shamrocks, paper valentine hearts, etc.)  The internet is packed with great ideas for any holiday or event.

- Give each child a piece of sidewalk chalk to decorate the sidewalks for the occasion.

- Serve fruit.  Most kids especially enjoy grapes, watermelon cubes, clementines, 100% fruit leather and strawberries.  To be fancy, you could even make fruit-kebobs on a toothpick.

- Go for popcorn.  Kids love it - and what could be easier?

- Bring in your blender and make smoothies in front of the kids.  My son's elementary-aged classmates went crazy over smoothies made with orange juice, vanilla yogurt and frozen strawberries.  Don't forget to bring plastic cups and fun straws, too.

- Give out a party favor, such as a small toy, noisemaker, punching balloon, crazy straw or necklace.  Some of the louder options may need to be passed out just before recess!

- Or, if only treats will do, consider bringing in less filling, treats like meringue cookies, lollipops, small candy canes or a few pieces of hard candy (if the children are old enough).

Of course, that list is just the beginning.  There are millions of fun ways to celebrate!  So, next time you are faced with the cupcake dilemma, do something really nice for your child's friends.  Get creative and show them how much fun they can have celebrating in a healthier way.  Chances are, they won't even miss the cupcakes.


Pamela Gould is the author of Feeding the Kids: The Flexible, No-Battles, Healthy Eating System for the Whole Family.  Other kid-friendly eating tips are available at feedingthekids.com